Thursday, November 12, 2026
Meeting Time: 7:00 pm
Online event (via Zoom): Please register on meetup.com to obtain the Zoom link.
NOTE: This is not being held on our normal first Thursday of the month schedule.
Lecture
How does a tiny beam of light carry enormous amounts of information across hundreds — or even thousands — of miles?
Optical communications, particularly fiber-optic technology, can transport huge amounts of high-speed data and wideband microwave signals reliably and securely over long distances.
Fiber links can be engineered for low loss and minimal frequency dependence, making optical technology desirable—and in some applications, essential.
This presentation explores the technology behind these remarkable communication systems, starting with the fundamental device physics and following the signal through the complete optical link.
Topics will include:
- Optical transmitters: the fundamental physics of LEDs and lasers
- Wideband modulation of optical carriers
- Transmission paths and their effects on signals
- Photodetectors and how optical signals are converted back to electrical signals
- Optical amplifiers and their role in long-distance communication
- The characteristics that make fiber optics well suited for high-speed, wideband communications
Whether you work with communications systems or simply want to understand how modern fiber-optic links move so much information so efficiently, this presentation provides a look inside the technology that makes it possible.
Speaker Bio:
Howard Hausman received his BSEE & MSEE degrees from NYU/Tandon School of Engineering. He is currently President/CEO of RF Microwave Consulting Services specializing in designing and analyzing RF-Microwave components and systems.
He is also an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University teaching courses in electronic engineering. Formerly Mr. Hausman was CTO and VP of Engineering, before being appointed President/CEO of MITEQ Inc., a world renown Satellite Communications and Microwave Engineering company.
Howard Hausman is a recipient of an NYU Distinguished Alumni Award, an IEEE LI Award For outstanding contributions to enhance the knowledge in Satellite Communications and Microwave Theory”, and a NASA Award for work on the Mars Landing System.
Mr. Hausman is currently the Chairman of the IEEE LI Communications Society and has been asked to review MIT Undergraduate Research Conferences papers. Mr. Hausman was awarded a patent “Measuring Satellite Linearity from Earth Using a Low Duty Cycle Pulsed Microwave Signal”.
He also authored a Microwave Engineering textbook “Microwave Power Amplifier Design with MMIC Modules” published by Artech House and has published a multitude of technical papers and lectures for technical conferences.
Notes
There is no cost to attend this meeting, however, if you are a NYS Professional Engineer and would like to receive Professional Development Hours (PDHs) of continuing education credit, then payment of a $15 fee is required. PDHs will be granted based upon the actual duration of the lecture including any demos and Q&A. You must stay to the end to receive credit. You will also have to properly fill out an Evaluation Form to prove that you attended this lecture.
Click here to open the Evaluation Form. Simply fill it out and click on the “Submit” button.
See these detailed instructions on how to receive PDHs for this lecture.
