Skip to content
Skip to main content
Free course

Digital communications

Free statement of participation on completion
Digital communications

Optical-fibre communications became commercially viable in the 1970s and innovation continues today. This free course, Digital communications, will illustrate how very high data rates can be transmitted over long distances through optical fibres. You will learn how these fibres are linked, examine the technology used and assess the future direction of this continually developing area of communication.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • convert between wavelengths and frequencies
  • describe the main differences between lasers and LEDs as used as light sources for optical-fibre communications systems
  • describe the difference between direct and external modulation of a laser
  • describe the difference in structure and performance of step-index multimode, graded-index multimode and single-mode optical fibres
  • draw up a power budget for an optical-fibre communication link and use it to estimate the maximum link distance.

First Published: 10/08/2012

Updated: 13/11/2018

Skip Rate and Review