This comprehensive guide presents a systematic, up-to-date review of modulation and detection principles, and provides new insights into recent research in modern telecommunications. With coverage of topics that include bit-error rate calculations for ASK, FSK, PSK and DPSK, noise characteristics of semiconductor lasers, and characteristics of optical amplifiers, the book helps you better understand the development and future of lightwave guide communications. Includes 57 figures and over 700 equations.