IT 443

Catalog Data: (3:2:3) Sp Prerequisite: IT 327. Physical-layer communications over broadband media. Optical and radio frequency propagation and devices. Fiber optics. Fee.

Textbook(s):

• Hecht, Jeff, Understanding Fiber Optics, Fifth Edition, Prentice Hall, 2006
• Dobkin, Daniel, RF Engineering for Wireless Networks, Newnes, 2005

Lab Textbook(s): None

Recommended Book(s): None

 Reference Book(s): None

Class website: www.et.byu.edu/groups/it443web/

Class Coordinator: Michael Bailey

Goals:

• To enable students to evaluate, layout and configure standard RF and optical broadband communication links.
• To understand radio frequency propagation and its and its applications and limitations in wireless digital communications.
• To understand key fiber optic component parameters and characteristics and how they influence fiber optic design.

Prerequisites by topic:

• Differential calculus at a conceptual level
• Ability to apply trigonometry to sinusoidal signals.
• Understanding of the concepts of frequency response and signal spectral content.
• Modulation and communications theory

 Outcomes:

1. Describe standing waves in high-frequency transmission lines and causes such as improper termination.
2. Be able to conduct tradeoffs between various transmission media, including various types of wire pairs, coax, waveguides, free-space propagation, and fiber optics.
3. Identify atmospheric and obstruction effects on RF propagation.
4. Analyze electromagnetic propagation through different media.
5. Describe key features of the 802.11 standard and how they effect deployment of a wireless network.
6. Be able to perform analysis using gains, losses and decibels, and to convert between them.
7. Identify key fiber characteristics and their respective advantages.
8. Identify key optical transmitter characteristics and their respective advantages.
9. Identify key optical receiver characteristics and their respective advantages
10. Differentiate between electro-optic repeaters and optical amplifiers.
11. Describe fiber attenuation and dispersion, their causes, effects and methods of mitigation.
12. Be familiar with fiber connectorizing and splicing techniques.
13. Describe the components and issues associated with wavelength division multiplexing.

Laboratory projects:

• Labs for this class are closed, with students expected to attend during the schedule lab hours and work with the teaching assistant until lab completion. Some lab assignments incorporate field trips to RF/fiber optic installations of interest.

Laboratory assignments:

1. RF safety
2. Ambient spectrum
3. Klystron and waveguide
4. 802.11 datalink
5. Antenna construction and testing
6. Wireless access point characterization
7. Fiber assembly and test
8. Trips to research lab and fiber optic field installation

Laboratory Equipment: Fibers, connectors , OTDR, waveguide components, klystron, RF detector, oven, optical link test set, power supplies, spectrum analyzer, antennas

Computer Equipment used: None.

Written and oral communication requirements: Standard laboratory reports and assignments.

Math Analysis: Trigonometric concepts. Logarithms

Library or other Research Projects: None

Prepared By: Michael Bailey

Date Revised: November 2007