Implementation of a Wavelength Division Multiplexing and Bidirectional Optic Fiber Link iLab

Abstract

An online laboratory that handles two critical concepts in Fiber Optic Communications: Bi-Directional Optic Fiber Link and Wavelength Division Multiplexing phenomena was developed at Makerere University. Designed using the EMONA Fiber Optics Telecommunications Experimenter (FOTEx), an add-on board for the National Instruments Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS II™) platform, it was deployed on the Interactive iLabs Shared Architecture (ISA). The laboratory supports curricula of Bachelor of Science in Computer, Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering Programmes.