Optical Communication Systems

and Networks

Optical Communication Systems

Ray model
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Optical Communication Systems

Optical Communications

Physic Optics + Quantum Electronics + Communication Theory

(1970, Procedings IEEE)

Physics of Materials + Quantum Physics + Information Theory + Nonlinear Optics

+ Interaction of Radiation with Matter

CHANNEL
Optical signal Receiver
Transmitter
Guided Communication → optical fiber
Non-guided communication → free space

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Optical propagation fundamentals

The optical fiber is a dielectric waveguide whose cylindrical geometry guiding and
propagation characteristics can be explained:
guiado, emisión y detección
Tema 2: Fundamentos de

▪ accurately by electromagnetic theory (Maxwell Equations)

▪ easily and descriptive through Geometrical Optics

▪ It does not take into account the nature of the wave (frequency, phase, power, ...)
▪ Describes the trajectory of light (optical signal) through rays (Fermat Principles and
Huygens)
▪ This consideration is only valid if the light wavelengthcan be assumed much smaller
than the size of the objects passing through (apertures, lenses etc. ..)
▪ It assumes the Maxwell equations approximation when → 0
Theory description restricted guided in multimode fibers
(Core diameter >> Wavelength)

Optical Communication Systems and Networks

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Guiding in optical fibers. Fundamentals

n2

n1

Each guided ray with a different reflecting angle is called MODE

Guiding condition: n1 (core) > n2 (cladding)

Optical Communication Systems and Networks

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Guiding in optical fibers. Fundamentals

n1
n1
n2 n2

According to the geometry of the According to the refractive index

dielectric structure profile
Cilindrical Cartesian Steep Continuous
Planar dielectric
structure Homogeneous or Inhomogeneous or
Optical Fiber Rectangular dielectric step index graded index
structure

Optical Communication Systems and Networks

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Cross section of an optical fiber

Introducción a la fibra óptica

Buffer cladding core 2a 2b 2d

(outer jacket)

Typical dimensional specifications:

• Core diameter:
– Single-mode fiber: 2a = 9 m (modal field diameter)
– Multimode fiber: 2a = 50, 62.5 m (100 m)
• Cladding diameter: 2b = 125 m (140 m)
• Buffer diameter: 2d = 250 m

Typical values of the refractive index in silica fibers:

• Core: n1 ~ 1.48 Core dopping to achieve n1>n2 
• Cladding: n2~ 1.475 total internal reflection  light propagation

Optical Communication Systems and Networks

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Type of Optical fiber depending on

the refractive index profile…

core
Refractive index profile
cladding

Step index 
n ra
fiber optic n(r) = n1 r a
 2

n(r) −Law
n(0)=n1
   1/ 2 
Graded index n2
r   r 

fiber optic n1 (r) = n1 1 − 2 a   n1 1 −  a  r  a
  
 n (1 − 2)1/ 2  n (1 − ) = n ra
 1 1 2

 = (n1 − n2 ) / 2n1
2 2 2
Index relative difference

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Geometric Optics Aproximation

Principle of propagation in step-index optical fibers

n0 n2 2
Refracted ray Snell Law
incident ray
1 r n1·sin1 = n2·sin2
Reflected ray
n1 n1 > n2  1 < 2

Total internal reflection

n0 n2 2= /2
Critical angle: c  2= /2
r
n  (1= c = r)
1= c
 c= arcsin  2 
 n1  n1

If 1> c  There is no transmission towards medium 2

Ray is completely reflected in medium 1  guiding funamentals in optical fibers

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Geometric Optics Aproximation

n2 cladding
air 
n0=1
1=/2-
 
 Fiber axis
n1 core

 Air-core Interface  Core-cladding Interface

n0 sin = n1 sin = n1 cos 1 n1 sin 1 = n2 sin 2
2 = /2
 n2
2
n1sinc = n2
cos  c = 1−  1= c
 n1 

Maximum value of  is given by 1= c

n0 sin m = n1 cos c = n12 − n22 = NA

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Numerical Aperture meaning…

Acceptance Lost ray

cone
cladding
1 <  c c
guided ray
Acceptance core
cone m
rad

Air or jacket or Partially lost ray

overcladding

m = arcsin
n1 − n2 = arcsin (NA)
2 2
n1 , n2 : core and cladding refractive index
NA = n − n
2 2

c: Critical angle

1 2

 n21 −n 22 

m: maximum acceptance angle
= 2
 2n 1 
NA: Numerical aperture
(generally, <<1)
n − n2 : refractive index relative difference
= 1 NA  n1 2
n1
If n1 n 2 , =(n 1-n 2)/n 1 → valid approx.

Optical Communication Systems and Networks

 Lecture 1: Introduction to Optical Communication Systems

Numerical Aperture meaning…

I( ) = I0cos
(Lambertian source) This behaviour is related to the energy
acceptance by the optical fiber


LED
Multimode fiber

Source with Emission surface

isotropic emission

Power emitted by the optical source: Laser Single-mode fiber

/2

P0 =  I ( ) 2 sin d = I 0

Fraction of the emitted power which is injected into the optical fiber:
m
P0 NA2
P=  I ( ) 2 sind =  I sin ( ) =
2
o m
Power Fraction coupled into
0
no2 an optical fiber  NA2

Optical Communication Systems and Networks

PHASE-FRONT (WAVE-FRONT) BASED STUDY OF TIR
• since ‘m’ can take only discrete integral values, the value of angle θ is also
discrete
• The acceptance cone can no longer be assumed as a solid cone of rays,
launched at all possible angles (smaller than acceptance angle), but has to be
viewed as composed of discrete annular conical rings of rays which are
launched at the tip of the fiber core at angles which satisfy equation.
• Thus light can only be launched at certain discrete angles within the N.A. cone
leading to a further decrease in the light gathering efficiency of the optical fiber
•
• This discretization in the values of launching angles lead to the formation of
what are called as modes in an optical fiber.
• Modes are nothing but different patterns of light intensity distribution
around the axis of the core.
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Ligth propagation in optical fibers

Step index Multimode Fiber

n1

n2

Graded index Multimode Fiber

Refractive index
profile
n1

n2

Step-index Singlemode Fiber

n1

n2

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Ligth propagation in Step-index Multimode Fiber:

Introducción a la Fibra Óptica Dispersion effect (intermodal)

Pulse
Pulse received
transmitted

Step-index Multimode Fiber

Optical Communication Systems and Networks

Dispersion Calculation

The pulse along the axis of the optical fiber

takes less time to travel the distance L

the distance traveled by the extreme ray is

GRADED INDEX FIBER

If we taper the profile optimally, we get the dispersion reduction

compared to that for a step index fiber, even by a factor of
thousand. The data rate of a typical graded index fiber is typically
10 to 100 times higher compared to a step index fiber