High-speed Communication - Study line

High-speed Communication study line

Design of communication systems and networks. The focus is optical communication and includes optical components, such as lasers, photodetectors, optical amplifiers and fibres as well as optical communication in a network context.

Purpose and Content

Data traffic has increased dramatically the last decades and expects to continue growing with at least the same pace both in near and far future. Data traffic has previous been fuelled by e.g. streaming services and social networks relying on datacentres providing the content. Consequently, data traffic within datacentres, between datacentres and from datacentres to end user has seen an unprecedented growth. With the present deployment of 5G networks, the number of required cells and corresponding traffic will increase significantly, while latency needs reduced considerably compared to previous mobile generations. With the explosive increase of devices connected to the network (IoT) the traffic will increase further.

Optical fibres offer, compared to e.g. traditional electrical wired transmission media or wireless communication, an unsurpassed capacity combined with low attenuation and is indeed the preferred transmission medium in the core and part of the access network. Likewise, the backhaul networks of mobile systems are also based on fibre and due to the increase in cells more fibre need to be deployed. Datacentres have long time ago embraced the high capacity of optical fibres and the fibres are an integral part of their infrastructure.

This master study line covers the field of high-speed communication over optical fibres, from transmission systems and networking perspectives. It also aims at providing a sound understanding of the physical concepts that have enabled the numerous breakthroughs in this technology over the past decades, as well as the current limitations that will have to be overcome by future generations of engineers. Components and techniques that have made the optical communication revolution a reality are also given in-depth coverage.

Consequently, the study line includes a balance of courses on optical components, optical transmission systems and optical networks that reflect the nature of this speciality at the crossroad between many technologies. Applications include terabit-per-second capacity transcontinental links, core networks, metropolitan area networks, the fast moving field of access networks (FTTS, FTTC, FTTB, FTTH etc) and mobile backhaul networks.

Job Profile

Employers of graduates from this study line include fibre and optical components manufacturers, system vendors, as well as telecom operators, in Denmark and the rest of the world. Many successful careers have originated from an interest in optical communications initiated at DTU Fotonik or its predecessors, and graduates in the field of optical communications are well represented within the industry worldwide where the Danish know-how is internationally recognised. Former graduates are also present in other areas of photonics as well as high tech companies, where the fundamental knowledge and techniques they have gained following this study line, is highly valued.

Structure of Studies
This study line requires that the students fulfill the requirements specified in the admission description of the programme in Communication and System Design described in the programme specification.

In addidtion to the compulsory courses and requirements listed in the Curriculum, the following rules apply for this study line:

In the Core competence course - specific, the student must select the following 20 ECTS points:

For the Advanced programme specific courses, the student must choose a total of 20 ECTS within the list below (if total of more than 20 ECTS of technological specialisation courses are chosen, they will count in the Electives category).

Additionally, it is also recommended to take course 34129 as Elective course (B.Sc. course).

A recommended study program for each semester is shown below:

High Speed Communication