The training is aimed for ICT professionals who want to build the capacity and experience in planning, designing, deployment and optimization of modern age fiber optic network systems.  Therefore, the target population includes Telecommunication Field Engineers, Telecoms Project managers, Telecom Network Engineers, Telecom Managers, Telecom Network Planners, Senior Telecom Technicians, and Telecom Professionals desiring the necessary skills for planning, designing and deploying fiber optic networks, as well as the fundamentals of fiber cabling skills, etc. 

It is an intermediate course, so a fundamental/basic knowledge of the fiber industry is required, hence a one-day online bootcamp will be organized as a refresher on the course.  

The main objective of this course is to equip participants with the necessary theory, as well as practical hands-on skills for planning, designing & deploying fiber optic network infrastructures.   

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:  

• Produce an Optical Fiber Network Planning & Design document; 

• Calculate Optical link loss budget (Calculating total link loss); 

• Identify and choose Optical Fiber system components (Transmitter multiplexer, fiber link, demultiplexer, receiver, Amplifier); 

• Deploy optical fiber cables on shared routes (Railways and Power routes); Underground installations of optical fiber cables; 

• Evaluate the Acceptance criteria of an optical fiber cable route. 

The course (2 weeks duration) study method involves the following:  

• Course Materials: The relevant course material (Presentations) and pre-recorded video is made available on the ITU Academy learning portal at the beginning of the course to facilitate self-study. Each week is based on 2 hours of lectures-presentations per week.  

• Online Discussion Forums: Discussion forums are organized on the ITU Academy platform based on discussions topics and case studies (weekly). Students are highly encouraged to participate and interact with instructors and other students (e.g., forum participation, Moodle messenger, etc.).  

• Chat Sessions: weekly live chat session via Zoom platform (2pm CEST) with the students to facilitate any questions about the material covered for the week and the assignments. 1 additional chat session might occur if needed and depending on the level of students’ interactions.  

• Quizzes: one mandatory online quiz (i.e., multiple choice questions) at the end of each week.  

• Assignment: Downloadable Word document Template is provided for submission case study research (2 case studies at the end of Module 1 and 2) on the ITU Academy. 

The participants are evaluated according to their substantive posts on the discussion forum, active participation in the online chat sessions, reflecting both the quantity and quality of time spent on the course. Two quizzes at the end of each week (i.e., week 1 and week 2), and one individual assignment to be submitted and graded. Templates outlining the format for the assignment submission are provided on the ITU Academy platform. Each quiz has multiple choices questions.  The maximum grade for the course is 100 points. The evaluation details and criteria for earning certificates are as follows. 

A total score of 70% and above is required to obtain the ITU course completion certificate, through the following evaluation parameters: 

Two quizzes (20% per quiz) 

Individual Assignment  40% 

Two Chat Sessions 10% 

Two Discussion Forums 10% 

Week 1/ Module 1: 

Optical Fiber Theory: 

What are optical fibers? (What we are talking about in this course- Fibers are a carrier medium of information) 

• History of optical fibers (History of development of glass as light carrying medium) 

• Principles of information 

• Transmission (Analog to digital) 

• Propagation in fibre (s) – mode, atténuation, dispersion 

• Optical fiber principles  

• Fiber amplifiers (Erbium technology) Passive Fiber components  

• Fiber fabrication, cabling, accessories and limiting factors on optical fibers  

• Dispersion types in optical fibers 

• Types of optical fibers (SM and MM) 

• Advantages of optical fibers Manufacturing of optical fibers. 

Week 1/ Module 2: 

Semi-Conductors and Crystal Theory: 

• Optical transmitters 

• Receiver for fiber-optic systems 

• Modulation of the optical carrier 

• Optical processing in semiconductors 

• Semiconductor amplifiers 

• Optical integrated switches 

Week 1/ Module 3: 

Fiber Transmission Systems: 

• Modulation scheme 

• Design of optic fiber links 

• Elements of optical fiber systems 

• Performance definitions 

• System design methodology  

Week 2/ Module 4: 

End-to-End Optical Network Infrastructure: 

• Architecture & Infrastructure 

• Optic Drivers 

• EDFAs 

• Optical Switches 

• WDM and DWDM Equipment 

• Multiplexing Techniques:  

• Circuit and Packet switching (Delay, throughput) 

• Network Architectures  

• LAN, MAN standards  

• Fiber in the Access Network Architecture (FTTC, FTTB, FTTH, PONS) evolution 

Week 2/ Module 5: 

Optical Fiber Network Planning & Design: 

• Optical fiber system fundamentals 

• Essential elements of a fiber link 

• System definitions 

• System considerations. (Fiber type, Wavelength, dispersion requirements, BER, link configuration) 

• Optical link loss budget (Calculating total link loss) 

• Optical Fiber system components (Transmitter, multiplexer, fiber link, de-multiplexer, 

• receiver, amplifier) 

• Network types  

• Survey of routes  

• Compare different installation options 

• Layout of an optical fiber cable network (Equipment, ODF, Cable, Splices) 

• Optical fiber cable design and manufacturing 

• Optical fiber cable types 

• Optical fiber cable specifications and cable type testing 

Week 2/ Module 6: 

Deployment of Optical Fiber in the Network: 

• Deployment of optical fiber cables on shared routes (e.g., Railways and Power routes) 

• Aerial installations of optical fiber cables 

• Underground installations of optical fiber cables 

• Direct burial of optical fiber cables 

• Key applications of different optical fiber cable types 

• Acceptance criteria of an optical fiber cable route 

• Management of an optical fiber cable installation 

• Week 2 Quiz 

• Individual Assignment