Module 3: Building Telecommunication System

Networks & Telecommunications

Introduction

Antenna and telephone systems were formerly the only telecommunications systems that
had to be provided for in buildings. Today, ordinary computer networks, building
management systems, computer networks in conference rooms and conference halls, and
communications systems for security networks -- to name only the main systems -- have
been added to that list.

One of the fastest growing technology areas is that of telecommunications (often referred
to as telecoms). Organizations have realized that stand-alone computers present many
problems: fragmentation of data, lack of control, insufficient integration and limited
opportunity for teamwork. One of the major trends over the last decade has been the move
not only to have a personal computer on the desk of virtually every knowledge worker, but
to have that computer linked to the other computers in the organization.

Fundamentals of Telecommunication Systems

 Telecommunication – is the transmission, emission, or reception of signs,

signals, writing, images, sounds, or information of any nature by wire, radio, optical,
or other electromagnetic systems.
 Telecommunication System – uses electricity, light (visible and infrared), or radio
waves to transmit signals that carry voice and data transmissions.
Telecommunications systems may be analog or digital.

Telecommunications Network
 a collection of communication equipment and devices that are interconnected so
they can communicate in order to share data, hardware, and software or perform
an electronic function.
 The network includes a series of connecting points called nodes (e.g.,
telecommunication terminal such as a telephone receiver or computer) that are
interconnected with cables (wiring).

A telecommunication network is a group of nodes that are interconnected by

telecommunication links that are used to exchange messages between the nodes. The
links may use a variety of technologies based on the methodologies of circuit switching,
message switching, or packet switching, to pass messages and signals.

Multiple nodes may cooperate to pass the message from an originating node to the
destination node, via multiple network hops. For this routing function, each node in the
network is assigned a network address for identification and locating it on the network.
The collection of addresses in the network is called the address space of the network.
Examples of telecommunications networks include computer networks, the Internet, the
public switched telephone network (PSTN), the global Telex network, the aeronautical
ACARS network, and the wireless radio networks of cell phone telecommunication
providers.

Network Topology

 It describes the configuration of a network, including its nodes, connecting cables

and equipment.
 It describes the manner in which the cable is run to individual workstations of the
network.

Components of a Telecommunication Networks

Nowadays telecommunication networks can transmit voice, video, graphic images, and
text information. The components of telecommunication networks required to transmit
information include computers to process information, terminals to receive and send data,
processors, and software. Here are some of the components of telecommunication
networks are:
 Signals: Analog and digital electromagnetic signals are used by
telecommunications for data traveling. The analog electromagnetic signal is used
for voice communication that goes through a communication medium. Whereas,
digital electromagnetic signals transmit data coded as 1 bit and 0 bits or on-off
electric pulses.

Computers can communicate by using digital signals. Whenever a computer has to

communicate over an analog line it needs a modem to translate the signals. A modem then
translates analog signals into digital and vice versa.

 Communication Channels: The transmission of data over telecommunication also

requires communication channels. It uses different mediums to transmit information
from one device to another. The speed of information flows depends on the
transmission media.

High-speed transmission is costlier because the infrastructure to support the high-speed

transmission costs more than the infrastructure used to support low-speed transmission.
Examples used for transmission include fiber optics, wireless, coaxial cable, and twisted
wire.

 Communication Networks: Telecommunication networks has various functions

and classification based on their geographic capacity and the kind of service they
provide. The topology of a network indicates how a network performs its tasks. The
various topologies are the star, bus, and ring networks.

 Star Network: In which the star network uses a central computer connected to
different small computers.
  Bus Network: The bus network uses one circuit to link other computers.
 Ring Network: And the ring network is the most independent kind of network and
doesn’t rely on a central host computer.

Types of Telecommunication Networks

1. Local Area Networks (LAN)

2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
3. Wide Area Networks (WAN)

1. LAN: LAN is a local area network and designed for small areas like an office, group
of buildings, or a factory. LANs are used widely because it is easy to design and to
troubleshoot. The PCs and the workstations are connected through the LAN.

LAN has different topologies, these are Star, Ring, Bus, Tree, etc. LAN is simple and used
in connecting two computers, to share files and network among one another while it can
also be as complex as interconnecting a whole building.

 Features:

a. Resource Sharing
b. Software Applications Sharing
c. Easy and Cheap Communication
d. Centralized Data
e. Data Security
f. Internet Sharing
The Benefits or Advantages of Using LAN

Local area networks enable devices to connect, transmit and receive information between
them. The benefits of advantages of LAN technologies include the following:

 enable access to centralized applications residing on servers;

 enable all devices to store business-critical data in a centralized location;
 allow resource sharing, including printers, apps and other shared services;
 allow multiple devices on a LAN to share a single internet connection; and
 protect LAN-connected devices using network security tools.

Types of LAN

From an architectural standpoint, a LAN can be considered either:

 peer-to-peer - LAN directly connects two devices -- generally, workstations or
personal computers -- together using an Ethernet cable.
 client-server - LAN consists of multiple endpoints and servers that are connected
to a LAN switch. The switch directs communication streams between the multiple
connected devices.

2. MAN: MAN is quite a bigger version of LAN. It’s also called Metropolitan Area
Network allows people to connect LANs and uses similar technology as LAN. It’s
designed to extend over the whole city. It often means connecting several LANs
into a bigger network or is often one cable.

It’s mainly held and operated by a single private company or a public company.

 Features:
o Extremely efficient.
o Fast communication via high-speed carriers.
o It provides a single backbone for a large network and provides greater access
to WAN.
o It encompasses several blocks of an entire city.
o Used dual bus transmission of data.
The Benefits or Advantages of Using MAN

MAN’s primary goal is to establish a communication link between two independent LAN
nodes in order to connect geographically dispersed LANs. To accomplish this, the
Metropolitan Area Network typically uses optical fiber as a transmission medium, and the
network is built with the help of routers and switches. The benefits of advantages of MAN
technologies include the following:

 It can send data in both directions at the same time.

 Metropolitan Area Network allows people to connect LANs.
 It is more comprehensive than a LAN and offers greater security than a WAN.
  Metropolitan Area Network usually encompasses several city blocks or an
entire city.
 It improves data handling efficiency while increasing data transfer speed.
 It facilitates the cost-effective sharing of shared resources such as printers.
 It provides an excellent backbone for a vast network, thus increasing WAN
access.
 The implementation cost of a Metropolitan Area Network are lower than WAN
since it requires fewer resources.
Types of MAN
Following are the three different types of Metropolitan Area Networks used:
 Fiber distribution data interface (FDDI) – It is the most widely employed
technology for developing a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). In its network,
it uses optical fiber. It’s known as the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), as it
can facilitate the transmission of data to thousands of users. FDDI is used as
a data transfer standard which can be extended to about 200 kilometers.

 Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) – It is a technology for digital transfer.

In the ATM database, identical packets are isolated that is transferred over
time. During video conferencing it was built to access high-quality audio and
video items. It is suitable as a platform in the wide-range data network thanks
to its ATM features. Asynchronous Transfer mode incorporates circuit
switching and packet switching features that allow the transmission of data in
real-time.

 Switch Multi-Megabit Data Service (SMDS) – This refers to technology for

data transfer which transfers through connectionless service. Information is
transferred to a connectionless service by storing information onto the header
that can be transmitted separately from any network to its destination. Small
data packets are generated in SMDS as well as in Asynchronous Transfer
Mode (ATM).

3. WAN: WAN is a wide area network that can be private or it can be public leased.
It’s used for the network that covers large distances like cover states of a country.
Networks that cover a large city or metropolitan area also can be included in this
category.

WANs are used by many multinational companies to transmit their data and receive
information among their employees, suppliers, customers, and other organizations across
various cities, regions, countries, and the whole world.
 Features:
o Covers a large area.
o Messages can be sent quickly. Messages include pictures, sounds, or data.
o Shares software and resources with connecting workstations.
o Everyone can use the same data from WANs.
The Benefits of Advantages of Using WAN

Following are the benefits or advantages of WAN technologies:

 WAN covers larger geographical area. Hence business offices situated at

longer distances can easily communicate.
 Like LAN, it allows sharing of resources and application software’s among
distributed workstations or users.
 The software files are shared among all the users. Hence all will have access
to latest files. This avoids use of previous versions by them.
 Organizations can form their global integrated network through WAN.
Moreover, it supports global markets and global businesses.
 The emergence of IoT (Internet of Things) and advanced wireless
technologies such as LAN or LAN-Advanced have made it easy for the growth
of WAN based devices. Messages can be sent very quickly across the globe
with the help of applications such as whatsApp, facebook messenger etc.

Types of WAN

WAN can be classified into two broad categories:

 Switched WAN
In a switched WAN network, multiple component LANs are connected via a shared
networking infrastructure. A WAN switching exchange at the center governs how
network resources are distributed across locations, in conjunction with the network
appliances at each location. Switched WAN is best suited to distributed environments
where network configuration requirements are largely homogenous.

 Point-to-point WAN
In a point-to-point WAN environment, two LANs or end nodes are connected through
a dedicated and secure leased line. Old school broadband networks using dial-up
technology are a good example of point-to-point WAN. Modern enterprises also use
this type of WAN to enable secure and customized network performance between
two locations. Each of the two end nodes is further connected to multiple devices to
create a local area network.
Transmission Media in Communication Networks

 Path through which a signal is sent through a communication s network.

 The transmitting medium used in network can be copper wire, glass, or plastic (fiber
optic cable), and air (microwave and radio wave).

Types of Transmission Media

Transmission media can be classified broadly as:

1. Guided
2. Unguided

Guided Transmission Medium

A guided transmission medium is also known as bounded transmission. This means that
signal transmission is done through a narrow path with the use of physical links.

 Twisted Pair Cable

A twisted pair cable is mostly used in the transmission of telephone signals and
signals in Ethernet networks. A twisted pair cable is comprised of two distinct
insulated copper wires which are twisted together.
  Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable is mostly used in the transfer of radio frequency in transverse

electromagnetic waves. It is made up of copper cable and can be used in the transfer
of high-frequency signals at low loss. It’s an example of a guided means of signal
transmission.

 Optical Fibers

Fiber optics are made of glass or plastic and are comprised of small diameters
bundled together to make a fiber-optic cable, they transmit signals as light pulses
and can travel over long distances. It applies well for communication signal
transmission.

Unguided Transmission Medium

An unguided transmission is where electromagnetic waves travel in an unguided form.

They could travel through air, vacuum or seawater. In unguided transmission there is no
involvement of a physical medium for the transmission of the signal.

 Microwave transmission

Microwave signals are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 1Ghz
to 300Ghz. Microwave signals are clearly unguided and unidirectional in nature,
meaning the sender and receiver end of the signal has to be aligned for signal
propagation to be complete.

 Radio wave transmission

Radio wave signals are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 3KHZ
and 1GHz, they are omnidirectional in nature, meaning the receiver and transmitter
end of the signal has no need of alignment for a perfect signal transmission. We
apply this transmission in our AM and FM radio stations, where signals can be
received at any location within frequency range without the need to align the devices.

 Infrared transmission

Infrared signal transmission has been in use for such a long time that it is seen in
the operation of TV remotes as well as other device connections at a close range. It
uses the light spectrum to send a focused light beam to a receiver. In infrared
transmission, a focused lens is used by the device transmitting the signal while a
collective lens is used by the device receiving the signal. It is a kind of unguided
means of transmission with very short distance of operation.
Telecommunication Devices

Basic equipment is used to connect the different computers and to ensure error-free data
transmission between them.

 Network cables are the physical wires by which computers are linked together.
The most common types are:
o Twisted Pair
o Coaxial Cable
o Optical Fibre or Fibre-Optic
o Wireless

 Network interface cards (NICs) are necessary when computers are connected
directly to other computers by means of digital network cables (as opposed to the
situation when two computers are connected to each other via a telephone link).
 Multiplexers allow a single channel to carry data transmissions simultaneously
from many sources, by merging them at one end of the channel and then
separating the individual transmissions at the receiving end of the channel.
 Front-end processors (FEP) are used in bigger networks that are centrally
controlled by large computers – often mainframes. In order to give the expensive
mainframe more “time” to concentrate on application processing, it needs to be
relieved from the rather mundane task of network control.

 Routers and bridges are computers dedicated to the translation of network

protocols and standards between different networks. They are becoming important
as more and more organizations are linking their own networks to those of other
organizations.

 Modem allows a computer to communicate with another computer by means of

the public voice telephone network, rather than by using digital cabling.

Uses of Telecommunication Network

Uses of telecommunication networks in daily life:

 Distant Communication: The days of sending letters are gone. Today, contacting
people from any part of the world is much easier than before with the use of
computers, handsets and the internet. People can communicate through phones,
calls, text messages, e-mails, or social media platforms. Telecommunication has
simply made keeping in touch with loved ones more convenient, efficient, and also
cost-effective.

 Entertainment: The growth of telecommunications has completely changed the

entertainment landscape. Nowadays, people can access many TV channels to watch
news, movies, and music. Social media is popularly used for entertainment to share
videos, photos, and also reels.
  Socialization: As more people get busy in their work and careers, it’s hard to find
time for their social life. But the growth of social media platforms has now done much
in filling that gap of today’s generation. Today, anyone can connect and meet new
people and friends through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter while at work. People are
also using Skype, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts, and various other apps to interact
live by making video calls.

Uses of telecommunication networks in banking sectors:

 Customer Service: Today the banks connected with each of their customers
through telecommunication. Customers may have to check on their account
balances, inquire about bank products and services, or present about their bank
accounts or transactions. Using customer care service banks can engage with and
resolve customer issues quite seamlessly. Now the apps are also available of the
banks in which the customers can check their balance history, transactions, etc.

 Mobile Bank Transactions: The growth of technology increasing every day. Today,
people can access their bank accounts, withdraw cash, make deposits, and check
balances from anywhere through their phones. The integration of mobile banking
apps has brought convenience in managing personal bank accounts and making
transactions.

 Integrated Voice Response and Call-back Manager: Integrated Voice Response

(IVR) and call-back manager are the two key technologies used by banking
institutions. The Implementation of Integrated Voice Response can particularly help
a bank to provide high-quality and consistent customer support. the use of call-back
management also can provide an excellent boost in streamlining bank operations.

Uses of telecommunication networks in business:

 Communication Logistics: In the past, companies spend a lot of their traveling to

meet up the clients, employees, or business partners. Nowadays, with the help of
telecommunication, they don’t need to go anywhere. They can do videoconferencing,
calls, face to face communication, and can also do online meetings on the PCs,
phones, etc.

 Business Meetings: With the development of technology, companies can interact

with their people via phone calls, video calls through the internet. The use of video
conferencing meetings has made the work very easier for the companies such as
cloud meetings, google meet, zoom meeting, etc.

 International Clientele: The use of the internet has a great impact on the growth of
e-commerce. Businesses are now been able to reach many audiences through
online websites, social media platforms, and also through television commercials.
The geographical boundaries between businesses and consumers now have been
broken and the companies enjoying more profit.
The Six Subsystems of a Structured Cabling System

1. Entrance Facilities (EF)

Entrance facilities contain the cables, network demarcation point(s), connecting

hardware, protection devices and other equipment that connect to the access provider
(AP) or private network cabling. It includes connections between outside plant and inside
building cabling.
2. Equipment Room (ER)
The environmentally controlled centralized space for telecommunications equipment is
usually more complex than a telecommunications room (TR) or telecommunications
enclosure (TE). It usually houses the main cross-connect (MC) [Distributor C] and may
also contain the intermediate cross-connects (ICs) [Distributor B], horizontal cross-
connects (HCs) [Distributor A], or both.
3. Backbone Cabling
The backbone cabling provides interconnection between telecommunications rooms,
equipment rooms, access provider (AP) spaces and entrance facilities. There are two
subsystems defined for backbone cabling:
  Cabling Subsystem 2 – Backbone cabling between the horizontal cross-
connect (HC) [Distributor A (DA)] and the intermediate cross-connect
(IC) [Distributor B (DB)]
 Cabling Subsystem 3 – Backbone cabling between an intermediate
cross-connect (IC) [Distributor B (DB)] and the main cross-connect
(MC) [Distributor C (DC)] Recognized cabling:
 100-ohm twisted-pair cabling: Category 3, Category 5e, Category 6 or Category
6A
 Multimode optical fiber cabling: 850 nm laser-optimized 50/125 μm is
recommended; 62.5/125 μm and 50/125 μm is allowed
 Single-mode optical fiber cabling

4. Telecommunications Room (TR) and Telecommunications Enclosure (TE)

A TR or TE houses the terminations of horizontal and backbone cables to connecting
hardware including any jumpers or patch cords. It may also contain the IC or MC for
different portions of the backbone cabling system. The TR or TE also provides a controlled
environment to house telecommunications equipment, connecting hardware and splice
closures serving a portion of the building.
The use of a telecommunications enclosure (TE) is for a specific implementation and not
a general case. It is intended to serve a smaller floor area than a TR and may be used in
addition to the minimum "one TR per floor" rule.
5. Horizontal Cabling – (Cabling Subsystem 1)
The horizontal cabling system extends from the work area’s telecommunications
information outlet to the telecommunications room (TR) or telecommunications
enclosure (TE). It includes horizontal cable, mechanical terminations, jumpers and patch
cords located in the TR or TE and may incorporate multiuser telecommunications outlet
assemblies (MUTOAs) and consolidation points (CPs). The maximum horizontal cable
length shall be 90 m (295 ft.), independent of media type. If a MUTOA is deployed, the
maximum horizontal balanced twisted-pair copper cable length shall be reduced.
6. Work Area
Work area (WA) components extend from the telecommunications outlet/connector end
of the horizontal cabling system to the WA equipment.
A minimum of two telecommunications outlets (permanent links) should be provided for
each work area. Multiuser telecommunications outlet assemblies (MUTOAs), if used, are
part of the WA.
Structured Cabling Organizations and Standards

The Importance of Standards

Standards are the platform of all telecommunications networks. They establish guidelines
and recommend best practices for every aspect of telecommunications cabling systems
from network design and installation to cable performance and verification. Standards
establish technical criteria and ensure uniformity and compatibility in and between
networks, even multivendor networks.

In communications cabling, standards define cabling types, distances, connections,

cabling architectures, performance parameters, testing requirements, and more. And
because they provide recommended best practices, standards can reduce downtime and
installation expenses. They simplify moves, adds, and changes. They maximize system
availability, and they extend the usable lifetime of a cabling system. Standards enable you
to build structured cabling systems that can easily accommodate existing technologies,
equipment, and users, as well as future ones.

Benefits of Structured Cabling Standards

The benefits of structured cabling standards are as follows.

 Consistency of cabling design and installation.

 Conformance to physical & transmission line requirements.
 A basis for examining a proposed system expansion & other such changes.
 Uniform documentation.