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This lecture provides a general introduction to fiber-optic communications (FOC). It mainly allows students acquiring a background knowledge and overview of FOC, its development and trends in the context of telecommunication systems.
At the end of the lecture, students should understand the general concept of fiber-optic communications; its historical background and its technical competitive advantages with respect to other communications systems which justified FOC rapid commercial deployment. Students should understand the main building blocks that constitute a relatively simple FOC system.
It is expected also that students understand the global aspects of FOC Networks through understanding of the configuration of the global submarine fiber optic network. A snapshot on FOC trends shall be captured. Finally, a overview of the Rwanda National Fiber Optic Backbone should be also gained.