Electronic Fabrication and Fiber Optics

Course Description

EET2609C is a hands-on lecture/laboratory course in the Electronic Engineering Technology taxonomy that introduces students to the fundamental skills of electronic fabrication and fiber optic systems. The course takes a practical approach to soldering, wire wrapping, potting, crimping, and cable lacing of electronic components alongside the basics of fiber optics and the fabrication of fiber optic cable assemblies using a variety of connectors and splicing techniques. Printed circuit board (PCB) construction and repair are also covered, along with cable installation and system troubleshooting. Industry standards — particularly those established by IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) — are integrated throughout the course to reflect current electronics manufacturing practices.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proper through-hole and surface-mount soldering techniques in accordance with industry workmanship standards.
• Perform wire wrapping, crimping, potting, and cable lacing of electronic components following established procedures.
• Fabricate fiber optic cable assemblies using a variety of connectorization and splicing techniques.
• Construct and repair printed circuit boards (PCBs) using correct materials, tools, and techniques.
• Apply Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) awareness and prevention practices in the lab environment.
• Perform cable installation and apply system troubleshooting techniques for electronic and fiber optic assemblies.
• Inspect and evaluate solder connections and electronic assemblies in accordance with IPC standards.
• Identify and safely operate soldering and desoldering equipment, workstations, and fixtures.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be covered depending on institutional emphasis or available equipment:

• Prepare for and attempt the IPC J-STD-001 (Requirements for Soldered Electrical & Electronic Assemblies) certification examination.
• Prepare for and attempt the Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) examination sanctioned by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA).
• Apply lead-free soldering processes and differentiate them from traditional lead-based techniques.
• Demonstrate optical fiber testing procedures including attenuation and continuity testing using standard test equipment (e.g., OTDR).
• Interpret and apply IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) criteria in quality inspection scenarios.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. Electronic Fabrication Safety and ESD Control
   • Lab safety procedures and personal protective equipment
   • Electrostatic discharge (ESD) principles, prevention, and protected work areas
   • Handling of sensitive electronic components
2. Soldering Fundamentals
   • Soldering tool identification, setup, and operation
   • High-reliability through-hole (PTH) soldering techniques
   • Surface-mount technology (SMT/SMD) soldering and desoldering
   • Lead and lead-free solder processes and materials
   • Inspection of solder joints to IPC workmanship standards
3. Electronic Assembly Techniques
   • Wire wrapping, crimping, and cable lacing
   • Potting and encapsulation of components
   • Wire and terminal assembly
   • Cable and wire harness construction
4. Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Fabrication and Repair
   • PCB materials, layer structure, and component identification
   • PCB assembly processes and soldering application
   • Rework and repair of through-hole and surface-mount assemblies
   • Visual and dimensional inspection of boards
5. Fiber Optic Fundamentals
   • Principles of light transmission and fiber optic theory
   • Types of fiber optic cable: single-mode vs. multimode
   • Fiber optic components: connectors, couplers, splitters, and transceivers
   • Signal attenuation and loss characteristics
6. Fiber Optic Cable Fabrication
   • Fiber optic cable preparation, stripping, and cleaving
   • Connectorization techniques (e.g., SC, LC, ST connector types)
   • Mechanical and fusion splicing methods
   • Fiber optic cable assembly inspection and polishing
7. Cable Installation and System Troubleshooting
   • Fiber optic and copper cable installation practices
   • Basic optical testing: continuity and end-to-end loss testing
   • Fault isolation and troubleshooting techniques for fiber optic systems
   • Documentation and reporting of test results

Optional Topics

• IPC J-STD-001 soldering standards review and certification preparation
• IPC-7711/7721 rework and repair standards for advanced assemblies
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 cable and wire harness acceptability requirements
• OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) operation and trace analysis
• FOA CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) exam preparation
• Introduction to coaxial cable assembly and connectorization
• Overview of fiber optic networks in telecommunications and data communications

Resources & Tools

Students in this course typically use the following equipment and resources:

• Lab Equipment: Soldering stations (temperature-controlled), desoldering tools, microscopes or magnification inspection equipment, crimping tools, wire strippers, fiber optic cleaving and polishing tools, optical power meters, visual fault locators
• Standards Documents: IPC J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, IPC-7711/7721, IPC/WHMA-A-620
• Industry References: Fiber Optic Association (FOA) training materials; manufacturer data sheets for connectors and cable types
• Simulation/Software: Circuit simulation tools (e.g., Multisim) may supplement lab work for circuit verification prior to assembly

Career Pathways

Graduates who complete this course and related Electronic Engineering Technology coursework are prepared for entry-level to mid-level roles in electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, and defense industries. Relevant occupations include:

• Electronics Assembler / Technician
• PCB Assembly Technician / PCB Repair Technician
• Fiber Optic Installer / Fiber Optic Technician
• Cable and Wire Harness Assembler
• Electronics Manufacturing Quality Inspector
• Communications Systems Technician
• Avionics / Defense Electronics Fabrication Technician

This course is a foundational component of the Electronics Engineering Technology A.S. degree and related College Credit Certificates (CCCs) at Florida state colleges.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course is aligned with and may provide preparation for the following industry certifications, depending on institutional delivery:

• IPC J-STD-001 — Requirements for Soldered Electrical & Electronic Assemblies: The electronics industry standard for soldering workmanship, administered by IPC-certified trainers. Institutions such as Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) offer IPC testing under instructor supervision upon course completion.
• IPC-A-610 — Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies: The globally recognized standard for evaluating the quality of electronic assemblies. Paired coursework (e.g., EET 2621) may be required for full certification preparation.
• Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT): Sanctioned by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, the CFOT exam tests both written and hands-on fiber optic skills aligned with this course's lab content.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 — Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies: Students completing cable fabrication modules may be eligible to pursue this certification through approved IPC training pathways.

Note: Certification exams may require additional fees and meeting minimum competency thresholds. Students should confirm current certification pathways with their instructor or program advisor.