Interactive tool for learning propagation in single‐mode optical fibers in telecommunication engineering

Abstract

Single‐mode optical fiber is one of the most extended wired transmission media providing broadband high‐speed communications all over the world whose performance highly depends on chromatic dispersion and modulation's effects. The motivation of this study is to offer a graphical analyzer of the propagation of Gaussian and super‐Gaussian light pulses directly modulated in a single‐mode optical fiber subject to chromatic dispersion of first and second‐order. The abstract nature of this electromagnetic phenomenon makes any tool that helps learners of optical fiber its understanding a useful resource. Through interactive learning, it is intended to facilitate the comprehension of the behavior of the fiber and feature its capacity in terms of bandwidth and length depending on different parameters and conditions. Also, the study and recreation of directly modulated pulses propagating in the dispersive fiber cannot only be used to teach the students how to avoid its negative impact but to use it as a mechanism to improve the properties of the whole optical communications system. The proposed analyzer consists of a MATLAB graphical user interface integrating the visualization of pulses in time, frequency and carrier's behavior together with additional graphs to interpret and correct chirp and numerical and textual indicators, menus and dialogs to understand the final outcome.

Análisis del diseño de interfaces gráficas de usuario para el control y monitorización de sistemas optoelectrónicos aplicados a telecomunicaciones e instrumentación electrónica

“…Así mismo, R. Pérez, M. García, S, García y J. E Muñoz diseñaron en el 2019 una Herramienta interactiva para el aprendizaje de la propagación en la fibra óptica monomodo en Ingeniería de Telecomunicaciones para la Universidad de Jaén en España, la cual ofrece un analizador gráfico de la propagación de pulsos de luz gaussianos y supergaussianos directamente modulados en una fibra óptica monomodo sujeta a la dispersión cromática de primer y segundo orden, entregando distintas gráficas correspondientes al proceso de transmisión de las señales y diagramas adicionales para interpretar y corregir el efecto del chirrido en la transmisión. Esto facilita la comprensión del comportamiento de la fibra óptica durante la transmisión y sus características tales como el ancho de banda en función de distintos parámetros [34]. Además, R. Sardiñas-Fernández, A. García-Juárez, I. E. Zaldívar-Huerta y J. H. Abril-García desarrollan a través del asistente App Designer de MATLAB técnica de simulación por computadora para caracterizar la respuesta en frecuencia de un filtro fotónico de microondas.…”

A testbed and a simulation laboratory for training engineering students in optical access network technologies

“…Consequently, many approaches involve combining on-site and virtual laboratories, as well as the use of interactive applications and simulation platforms. For instance, Prado et al [28] have programmed an interactive and graphic learning tool to understand the operation and performance of single-mode optical fiber in different conditions. Its importance lies in the fact that single-mode optical fiber is one of the most extended wired transmission media, especially for highspeed network communications, and its efficiency depends on some effects such as attenuation, chromatic dispersion, or nonlinear effects.…”

Software Tool for Acausal Physical Modelling and Simulation

“…For example, in automatic control, graphical and interactive tools created in different environments, such as MATLAB [32][33][34], Sysquake [35,36] or Easy Java/Javascript Simulation [37], represent a suitable and easy way of explaining and illustrating non-intuitive contents that are difficult to understand. Reviewing recent state of the art, many other different topics in which educational tools have been introduced can be found, including electronics [38], physics [39,40], mechanical engineering [41,42], thermodynamics [43], optics [44] or robotics [45]. In all these works, developed tools proved to be powerful and valuable instruments for improving student learning.…”