SRM Institute of Science and Technology

SET C
College of Engineering and Technology
DEPARTMENT OF ECE
SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur – 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu
Academic Year: 2024-25 (EVEN)

Test: FT-II Date: 27/02/2025

Course Code & Title: 21ECC304TR- Microwave and Optical communication Duration: 12.30-2.15PM
Year & Sem: III & VI Max. Marks: 50
Course Articulation Matrix:
21ECC304TR- Microwave and Optical Program Outcomes (POs)
communication Graduate Attributes PSO
1 1
COs Course Outcomes (COs) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 1 2 3
Familiarize the concept of
CO-1: microwave transmission and 3 2 - - - - - - - - - - 3 - -
generation
Realize systematic methods to
CO-2: design, analyze S-parameters of 3 2 - - - - - - - - - - 3 - -
microwave devices
Identify different measurement
techniques for determining various
parameters and to gain knowledge
CO-3: 2 - - 3 - - - - - - - - 3 - -
on microwave measurements and
the techniques with associated
equipment
Discover complete information on
the fundamentals of light
CO-4: 3 2 - - - - - - - - - - 3 - -
transmission through fiber and their
characterization and mechanism
Recognize the link power budget
CO-5: design considerations of optical 3 - 2 - - - - - - - - - - 2 -
communication system

Q.No PART-A Mark BL CO PO

(1*20=20) s
Answer All questions
1(a) (i) When designing an optical fiber for minimal signal loss, which 1 1 CO4 PO2
factor plays the most crucial role in maintaining light
confinement?
(a) Increased core diameter
(b) Higher refractive index difference between core and
cladding
(c) Increased fiber length
(d) Higher numerical aperture
1 1 CO4 PO2

(ii) A high-speed optical communication system requires a highly

coherent light source with narrow spectral width. Which optical
source is best suited for this?
(a) Light Emitting Diode (LED)
(b) Incandescent Lamp
(c) Laser Diode
(d) Optical Coupler
 1 1 CO5 PO1
(iii) Which of the following is an example of a passive device
used in optical communication?

(a) Semiconductor Optical Amplifier

(b) Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier
(c) Optical Coupler
(d) Optical Modulator

(iv) An optical fiber system is designed to transmit a signal over

1(b) 1 1 CO5 PO1
50 km. Despite a high-power laser source, the received signal is
much weaker than expected. What is the most likely cause?

(a) The fiber optic cable has infinite bandwidth

(b) The signal is experiencing attenuation due to fiber losses
and connection points
(c) The receiver is amplifying the signal too much
(d) The optical fiber automatically compensates for power loss

(i) A new underground communication system is being developed

to provide stable and efficient data transfer. Engineers have noticed
8 1 CO4 PO1
that when light enters the transmission medium at certain angles, it
fails to propagate effectively.

1. Explain the phenomenon that determines whether light

continues or escapes the medium.
2. Discuss the role of the boundary between two different
materials in maintaining signal integrity.
3. Explain how an increase or decrease in light entry angle
affects overall signal transmission.
4. Analyze why certain rays of light follow a predictable
path while others are lost.

Solution:

 The continuation or escape of light in a medium is primarily

governed by total internal reflection (TIR), which depends on the
critical angle and the refractive indices of the materials. When
light travels from a higher refractive index medium (n₁) to a
lower refractive index medium (n₂), it bends away from the
normal at the interface. If the incidence angle (θ) is greater than the
8 3 CO5 PO1
critical angle (θc = sin⁻¹(n₂/n₁)), light undergoes total internal
reflection, remaining confined within the medium. If θ < θc, the
light refracts out of the medium, leading to signal loss.
 

Role of Boundary in Maintaining Signal Integrity

The boundary between two materials with different refractive indices,
such as the core and cladding of an optical fiber, ensures light
confinement through total internal reflection. The refractive index
difference (Δn) between the core and cladding helps define the
numerical aperture (NA = sinθ_max), which determines the range of
acceptable entry angles for efficient transmission. Any irregularities,
impurities, or roughness at the boundary can cause scattering,
reflection losses, or mode conversion, degrading signal integrity.

 Effect of Light Entry Angle on Signal Transmission

The angle at which light enters an optical fiber affects how
efficiently it propagates.

 If the entry angle is too large, light may not be confined

within the core, leading to refraction and signal loss into
the cladding.
 If the entry angle is optimal (within the acceptance cone
determined by the numerical aperture, NA), light
undergoes total internal reflection, ensuring efficient
transmission.
 A smaller entry angle improves confinement but may
result in increased modal dispersion, affecting data
transmission over long distances.

 Predictability of Light Paths and Loss of Certain Rays

Some rays of light follow a predictable path due to total internal
reflection, dictated by Snell’s Law and the refractive index
contrast between the core and cladding. These guided modes
maintain their trajectory and remain within the fiber.
Other rays are lost due to:

 Refraction at the boundary when the incident angle is

below the critical angle.
 Scattering caused by imperfections in the fiber material.
 Absorption within the fiber due to impurities or material
properties.
 Bending losses when the fiber is sharply curved, forcing
some light to escape.
(ii) A data center is upgrading its fiber-optic backbone from 2.5
Gbps to 10 Gbps to accommodate increased traffic demand. The
system has the following rise-time components:

 Transmitter rise time = 80 ps

 Fiber dispersion rise time = 100 ps
 Receiver rise time = 60 ps

(a) Explain the concept of rise-time budget analysis in high-speed

digital transmission.
(b) Calculate the total system rise time using the given values.
(c) Compare the total rise time with the maximum allowable rise
time for 10 Gbps using the equation:
0.7
𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
Bit Rate
Solution:
(a) Concept of Rise-Time Budget Analysis in High-Speed
Digital Transmission

Rise-time budget analysis is used to evaluate the overall response

speed of a high-speed digital transmission system. It ensures that
the combined rise times of various components (transmitter, fiber,
and receiver) do not exceed the system’s maximum allowable rise
time, which is determined by the bit rate.
 PART-B (2*15=30)
Answer Any Two Questions
2(a) A long-distance data transmission system is experiencing a gradual 7 2 CO4 PO1
decrease in signal intensity as information travels through the
network. A team of engineers is investigating the reasons behind
this degradation and considering possible solution. What may be
the underlying reasons when the signals might weaken over long
distances? Analyze the different physical and material-based
factors that contribute to signal degradation.

Solution:

Students need explain

8 3 CO4 PO2

An optical receiver needs to detect very weak signals in a high-

(b) speed communication system. Which type of devices should be
used, and what challenges might arise with your choice?
Solution:

To detect very weak signals in a high-speed optical communication

system, the following types of optical detectors are commonly
used:

Avalanche Photodiode (APD)

Why APD?
APDs provide internal gain through avalanche multiplication,
which amplifies weak optical signals before conversion to
electrical form.
They have high sensitivity, making them suitable for detecting
weak signals in long-distance or low-power applications.
APDs operate efficiently in high-speed communication systems,
such as long-haul fiber-optic networks and free-space optical
communication.
3(a) A telecom company needs a cost-effective optical source for a 8 2 CO4 PO1
short-distance fiber link and a high-speed, long-distance source for
a national backbone network. Which optical sources would you
recommend for each case, and why?

Solution:

Long-Distance, High-Speed Backbone Network

DFB Laser or ECL 7 3 CO5 PO3
Why?
DFB Lasers provide a narrow spectral linewidth (~0.1 nm),
reducing chromatic dispersion in long-haul transmission.
ECLs offer even better stability and spectral purity, making them
ideal for ultra-long-distance networks.
Operate efficiently in Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
(DWDM) systems, enabling multiple channels over the same fiber.
Suitable for single-mode fibers (SMF) used in national backbone
and high-speed optical networks.
 Explain about the laser:

An optical fiber system has a 60 km link with fiber attenuation of

(b) 0.22 dB/km. The system includes 4 splices (0.15 dB each) and 2
connectors (0.9 dB each). If the transmitter power is 10 dBm, will
the receiver (with a sensitivity of -20 dBm) receive a strong enough
signal?
Solution:
4(a) A telecommunication company is facing an exponential increase 7 2 CO5 PO1
in data demand. The existing optical fiber infrastructure is
becoming insufficient to meet bandwidth requirements. While
increasing the number of fiber cables is an option, network
engineers suggest an alternative solution that does not require
laying additional fibers.

 What technology could be implemented to maximize

bandwidth utilization and efficiently manage multiple data
streams without physically expanding the fiber network?

Solution: Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) Technology

To handle the exponential increase in data demand without laying
additional optical fibers, the telecommunication company can
implement Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).

Why WDM?
WDM is an optical multiplexing technology that transmits multiple
data streams simultaneously over a single fiber by assigning each 8 3 CO5 PO1
data stream a different wavelength (color) of light. This allows
network engineers to maximize bandwidth utilization and manage
multiple data channels efficiently.
(b) A fiber-optic transmitter in a high-speed WDM system is
experiencing performance instability due to unwanted reflections.
Engineers suspect that back-reflected light is interfering with the
laser source, affecting signal quality.

 Which passive optical device can be used to allow light to

travel in only one direction, preventing back-reflection into
the laser? and Also, which passive optical device is used to
filter out specific wavelengths from a multi-wavelength
WDM system?

Solution:
Optical Isolator – This passive optical device allows light to
travel in only one direction and prevents back-reflection into
the laser. It is commonly used in optical communication
systems to protect laser sources from unwanted reflections that
could cause instability or damage.
Optical Filter (e.g., Thin-Film Filter or Fiber Bragg Grating) –
This passive optical device is used to filter out specific
wavelengths from a multi-wavelength Wavelength Division
Multiplexing (WDM) system. Thin-film filters selectively
transmit or block certain wavelengths, while Fiber Bragg
Gratings (FBG) reflect specific wavelengths and allow others
to pass through.
Course Outcome (CO) and Bloom’s level (BL) Coverage in Questions

CO Coverage (%) BL Coverage (%)

50
120
100 40
80 30
60
40 20
20 10
0
0
CO1 CO2
BL-1 BL-2 BL-3

Evaluation Sheet
Name of the Student: Register No.:

Part- A (1*20 = 20 Marks)

Q. No CO PO Max. Mark Total
Marks Obtained
1a(i) 4 2 1
(ii) 4 2 1
(iii) 5 1 1
(iv) 5 1 1
1b(i) 4 1 8
(ii) 5 1 8
Part- B (2*15= 30 Marks)
2a 4 1 7
2b 4 2 8
3a 4 1 8
3b 5 3 7
4a 5 3 7
4b 5 1 8
Consolidated Marks:
CO Max.Marks Mark Obtained
CO4 33
CO5 32
Total 65

PO Max.Marks Mark Obtained

PO1 41
PO2 10
PO3 14
Total 65

Signature of the Course Teacher