No matter if you are a communications engineer or technician, a marketing person or telecom manager, a researcher or student-Optical Communication Essentials is a must-have for anyone who is eager to master this cutting-edge technology without getting into extensive technical details. Written by a world-class expert, the book offers concise, 15- to 20-page modules that use minimum of math to thoroughly illustrate each topic. Embellished with informative illustrations, comparison tables and optional offset sections for advanced topics, this vital resource provides: Explanations of how and why light travels through fiber An understanding of transmission and specialty fibers Reasons for the different component types Operational details of passive and active WDM devices Extensive DWDM and CWDM applications coverage Illustrations of impairments that affect system performance The concepts of network management Standards for design and evaluation of links and networks Descriptions of equipment needed for performance testing Overviews of fiber and component manufacturing issues Web access to an interactive performance simulation toolTable of Contents: Chapter 1: Basic Concepts of Communications Systems Chapter 2: Optical Communication Systems Overview Chapter 3: The Behavior of Light Chapter 4: Optical Fibers Chapter 5: Optical Fiber Cables Chapter 6: Light Sources and Transmitters Chapter 7: Photoiodes and Receivers Chapter 8: Connectors and Splices Chapter 9: Passive Optical Components Chapter 10: Active Optical Components Chapter 11: Optical Amplifiers Chapter 12: Wavelength Division Multiplexing Chapter 13: Constructing the WDM Network Puzzle Chapter 14: Performance Measures Chapter 15: Performance Impairments Chapter 16: Optical Link Design Chapter 17: Optical Networks Chapter 18: Network Management Chapter 19: Test and Measurement Chapter 20: Manufacturing Issues