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Technical University of Munich

Coherent Optics for Communication, Security and Sensing

Lecturer (assistant)
Tobias Fehenberger
Utku Akin
Daniel Plabst
Number 0000003681
Type lecture with integrated exercises
Duration 4 SWS
Term Sommersemester 2025
Language of instruction English
Position within curricula See TUMonline
Dates See TUMonline

Admission information

See TUMonline

Objectives

At the end of the module, the students will have gained insight into how electro-optic components and digital signal processing techniques are employed in optical fiber systems to achieve:
i) high-capacity long-haul transmission of huge amounts of data;
ii) quantum-secure distribution of encryption keys (quantum key distribution);
iii) high-resolution distributed sensing over optical fibers (coherent optical time-domain reflectometry)
The students will be able to analyze and assess the underlying principles of coherent optics and digital signal processing (DSP) and to implement selected applied DSP methods in Python. With their profound understanding of the topic, the students can analyze and assess, from a system-level view, fiber-based communication, security, and sensing systems that are based on the principles of coherent optics.

Description

Overview of key building blocks of coherent optical systems (laser, modulator, optical fiber, photodiode, coherent optical receiver, DAC and ADC, digital signal processing)
Overview of distortions in fiber-based optical systems (sampling clock offset, laser phase noise, chromatic dispersion, polarization mode dispersion)
Digital signal processing methods to compensate for these distortions (clock recovery, carrier phase and frequency offset estimation, adaptive equalization, etc.)
Application of these methods to data communication, security via quantum key distribution, and distributing fiber sensing.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of digital communication systems (signals and systems, time and frequency, sampling theorem)
Basic knowledge of electro-optic components and optical fiber transmission
The lecture „Optical Communication Systems“ by Prof. Hanik is a plus
Experience in Python is a plus.

Teaching and learning methods

In addition to the individual methods of the students, consolidated knowledge is aspired by repeated lessons in exercises and tutorials as well as by individual programming assignments.

During the lectures, students are instructed in a teacher-centered style, i.e., via slide presentations that are supported by chalkboard explanations.
Teaching material, including slides, and the simulation framework, are provided before each class on Moodle.
The exercises are held in a student-centered way, with illustrative examples and hands-on coding exercises for the signal processing parts. For the programming exercises, a framework will be provided for students to implement the required functionalities. A sample solution will be provided after each exercise.

Examination

A written exam (90 minutes) is held at the end of the semester to assess the students’ knowledge of principles of coherent optics applied to communication systems, security via quantum key distribution, and fiber sensing. This assessment is based on calculations and questions that require descriptive answers.

Recommended literature

J. Proakis, Digital communications
S. Haykin, Digital communication systems: A modern introduction
G. Agrawal, Fiber-optic communication systems
G. Agrawal, Lightwave technology systems

Links

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