Optical communications involves the transmission of information via optical fibres. Since the use of optical fibres for information transmission became widespread during the 1980s, the pace of technological advances in this area has been astounding. This second edition has been completely updated and revised throughout to reduce much of the mathematics, and to focus on those specific optical technologies that have emerged since the first edition. It presents new material on critical topics in the field, such as digital communications, fibre optics and lightwave networks. The text also integrates both fibre and space optics and emphasizes the systems aspects of optical communications.

Presents thorough coverage of the engineering aspects of modern communication systems, paying particular attention to the practical system considerations in the end-to-end construction of a typical communication link. The text is designed to provide readers with a solid background in current terminology, methodology, and procedures. This updated edition places greater emphasis on modern technology and hardware considerations, with integrated treatment of analog and digital systems. Includes new new material on oscillators, frequency generators, mixers, amplifiers, and digital and switching circuitry. Contains new examples and problems.