Optical Communications and Signal Processing

This programme provides a challenging range of advanced topics drawn from optical communications systems and devices, and optics-related signal processing, including associated enabling technologies. It offers an excellent opportunity to acquire the skills needed for a career in the most dynamic fields in optical communications.

Optical fibre communications form the backbone of all land-based communications and are the only viable means to support today's global information systems. Research at Bristol is contributing to the ever-increasing requirement for bandwidth and flexibility through research into optical switching technology, wavelength conversion, high-speed modulation, data regeneration and novel semiconductor lasers.

As well as units on the fundamentals of electromagnetics, optical fibres and optical devices, there are two units related to optical networks: Optical Networks and Data Centre Networks. The Optical Networks unit focuses on wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) networks, time division multiplexed (TDM) networks, including SDH/SONET and OTN, optical frequency division multiplexed networks, and optical sub-wavelength switched networks. The Data Centre Networks unit focuses on networks for cloud computing, cloud-based networking and grid computing.

This programme builds on the internationally recognised research strengths of the Photonics and Quantum and High Performance Networks research groups within the Smart Internet Lab. The Photonics group is exploring the new field of quantum photonics with key successes in developing photonic crystal fibre light sources, quantum secured optical communications and novel quantum gate technologies.