Course Overview: Telecommunications System Engineering

Course Introduction
The Telecommunications System Engineering course offers an in-depth exploration of the key principles and cutting-edge technologies in the field of telecommunications. Participants will gain the essential knowledge and practical skills required to design, manage, and optimize telecommunication systems for maximum efficiency and reliability. This course addresses both foundational concepts and advanced techniques in telephony, switching, transmission systems, and data communications.

Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of telephony systems and digital communication techniques.
• Grasp the principles behind analog and digital switching, and their applications in modern networks.
• Design and implement long-distance communication links using state-of-the-art technologies.
• Master digital transmission systems and their optimization for high-quality service.
• Develop proficiency in the operation and management of data networks.
• Learn the essentials of network management, including fault detection, performance monitoring, and security.

Course Outline: Telecommunications System Engineering

Day 1: Fundamentals of Telephony

• Overview of basic telephony concepts.
• The structure of a telephone connection: sources and sinks.
• Introduction to telephone networks and key terminology.
• Traffic engineering fundamentals: measuring and optimizing network traffic.
• Network configurations and variations in traffic flow.
• Ensuring Quality of Service (QoS) in telephony systems.

Day 2: Analog Switching Systems

• Basic principles of switching: numbering, concentration, and expansion.
• Essential switching functions in analog systems.
• Introduction to switching concepts and grading.
• Detailed study of the crossbar switch and its operation.
• System control in analog switching networks.
• Techniques for measuring and managing telephone traffic.
• Observing and optimizing dial-service functionality.

Day 3: Introduction to Telephony Transmission

• Purpose and scope of telephony transmission systems.
• Understanding the three main impairments to voice channel transmission.
• Key differences between two-wire and four-wire transmission.
• Introduction to multiplexing techniques in telephony.
• Shaping the voice channel and its impact on transmission quality.
• Noise measurement units and their application in telephony systems.

Day 4: Designing Long-Distance Communication Links

• Overview of bearer technologies for long-distance communication.
• Introduction to radio transmission and the principles of line-of-sight microwave systems.
• Designing efficient satellite communication systems.
• Fiber-optic communication technologies and their role in modern telecommunication links.

Day 5: Digital Transmission Systems

• Comparing digital and analog transmission systems.
• Fundamentals of Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) and its development process.
• PCM line coding techniques and the use of regenerative repeaters.
• Signal-to-noise ratio in PCM systems.
• Enhancements in digital transmission systems, including SONET and SDH.
• Advantages and limitations of digital transmission in telecommunication networks.

Day 6: Digital Switching and Network Architectures

• Key differences between PCM switching and analog switching systems.
• Approaches to implementing PCM switching.
• Concepts in digital switching and network architecture.
• Structure and operation of modern digital networks.

Day 7: Introduction to Data Communications

• Clarifying binary conventions and coding for data transmission.
• Addressing errors in data transmission and techniques for error correction.
• The role of DC nature in data transmission.
• Understanding the concept of binary transmission and time synchronization.
• Data interface protocols and the physical layer of communication.
• Digital transmission over analog channels.

Days 8-9: Data Networks and Network Design

• Understanding the applications and initial design considerations for data networks.
• Overview of data terminals, workstations, PCs, and servers in network environments.
• Exploring different network topologies and configurations.
• Introduction to data switching, packet networks, and packet switching.
• Key routing protocols: Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) and others.
• Optimizing data networks for performance and reliability.
• Understanding key communication protocols: X.25, TCP/IP, and related protocols.
• An overview of IPV6 and its impact on network design.
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and their specialized protocols.
• Voice over IP (VoIP) technologies and their integration into data networks.

Day 10: Network Management

• Introduction to network management: fault, configuration, performance, security, and accounting (FCPSA) management.
• Ensuring survivability in telecommunication networks.
• Network management perspectives for Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN).
• The role of Network Management Systems (NMS) in enterprise environments.
• Telecommunications Management Networks (TMN) and their function in network administration.

Course Delivery
This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, practical exercises, and case studies. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the concepts discussed, enhancing their ability to design, implement, and manage telecommunications systems. Comprehensive course materials will be provided to support learning and application of the material post-course.