PhD Studentship in Optical Communications
Transceiver technology for future optical transmission systems
Applications are invited for a fully funded three year PhD studentship, with Ocarlo, in the field of optical communications. The studentship is open to UK students and EU students, and will cover all fees, attracting a tax fee stipend of £15,590 per annum during the course of the PhD.
Historically optical communication systems have operated at the very limits of high speed electronics, albeit using relatively simple receiver technology compared to wireless systems. However as systems move to 100 Gbit/s and beyond, a radically new approach is required to overcome the transmission limits imposed by imperfections in the installed fibre plant. One solution which has been proposed is the digital coherent receiver, combining phase and polarisation diverse coherent detection with embedded system based digital signal processing. The ultimate aim of the project will not only be to optimise the design of current transceivers, but also to identify key technologies for future optical transmission systems.
The project will include a mix of theoretical and experimental work, and will be based within UCL’s Optical Networks Group (ONG), whose state of the art experimental facilities allow for the investigation of wavelength division multiplexed terabit capacity transmission over transpacific distances (including a 32 wavelength recirculating loop testbed with two 40Gbit/s bit error rate test sets and a 50GSa/s real-time oscilloscope).
Candidates with a first class or 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent), in Engineering, Mathematics or Physics are encouraged to apply. Applications should be made using the UCL postgraduate study application form.
Candidates should indicate on the application form under ‘Programme of Study’ that they are applying for this studentship. The studentship is available for immediate start, however the start date may be deferred to any point up to November 2011.
Informal inquires regarding the studentship, including further details of the project can be made to Dr Seb Savory (s.savory@ee.ucl.ac.uk, tel:+44 20 7679 3995).
