Lightwave propagation in fiber optics, including modal conditions, numerical aperture, attenuation and signal distortion in step-index and graded-index fibers. Connectors, splices and analysis of coupling losses. Operating principles and characteristics of optical sources and detectors. Transmitter and receiver circuits for analog and digital communication. Design consideration for practical optical communication links using power budget and rise-time analysis. Discussion and comparison of latest multiplexing and coupling techniques used in optical networks. Contains labs. Prerequisites: EL-261 and MA-261. (2-2-3)