EE 670: Telecommunications

This is an application course in the communications sequence.  After a short review of the history and nature of the US telephone system, the basic transmission systems used in the modern digital telephone network are covered.  The core concept of an automatic telephone circuit switching system is then introduced and the architecture/operation of modern switching systems is studied.  The earlier discussion on transmission systems is then expanded to include ISDN, SONET, ATM and Voice Over IP. The fundamentals of traffic analysis are also introduced to give the student an appreciation of engineering for traffic capacity.  All required mathematics is either reviewed or introduced as part of the course to allow a broad class of students to benefit from this course. 

Instructor:

Jeffrey N. Denenberg

Email:

jeffrey.denenberg@ieee.com

Phone:

(203) 268-1021  (day & evening)

Credits:

3

Pre-requisites:

EE 645 - Introduction to Communications (or equiv.)

Exams:

Two (~5th&10th wk) - 30% ea.
Comprehensive final - 40%

Textbook:

“Digital Telephony,” John Bellamy, Wiley, 2000, ISBN 0-471-34571-7

Note:

This course is also appropriate for professional development

Reference:

"Telephone History," Tom Farley (pdf-1.7MB)

HTML:

Telephone History

Topics:

1.

Introduction:  Analog Telephony; Time / Frequency Representation of Signals

½ session

2.

Overview of the US Public Telephone Network

½ session

3.

Voice Digitization: Analog to Digital Conversion, PCM, A/m Law Compression

1 session

4.

Digital Transmission and Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)

1½ sessions

 

Review

½ session

 

Exam 1

 

5.

Analog Circuit Switching Systems

1 session

6.

Digital Circuit Switching Systems & Comparison to Packet Switching

1½ sessions

7.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and ATM

½ session

8.

Fiber Optics, SONET and VoIP

½ session

 

Review

½ session

 

Exam 2

 

9.

Fundamentals of Traffic Analysis

1 session

10.

Review

1 session

 

Final Exam

 

 

Goals:

1.

Become aware of the complexity and diversity of the modern telephone network that underlies all voice and data communication systems.

 

2.

Understand the relationship between circuit and packet switching and their relative strengths.

 

3.

Be prepared to utilize available telecommunication technologies in the real world.

 

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

I. TEACHER

Distribute syllabus.

Review the material described in the syllabus.

Explain material.

Identify alternate books and Internet resources that clarify the material.

Relate material to "real world" situations when possible.

Answer questions.

Meet at a mutually convenient time to discuss problems.
          Telephone:                        (203) 268-1021
          Email:                               mailto:jeffrey.denenberg@ieee.org.

          Home Page:                      http://doctord.webhop.net/

          Class Office Hour:             4:30-5:30 PM, Wednesdays (before class)

Be receptive to new ideas.

Announce business/class conflicts in advance.

Make up missed classes.

Prepare and administer 2 exams and a comprehensive final exam.

Grade fairly.

Assign appropriate home problems.

Homework policy:

·       Reviewed in class

·       Collected or not collected

·       Graded or not

·       Quizzes

 

II. STUDENT

Review prerequisite material

·       Frequency Domain Analysis

·       Sampling Theory

Ask questions.

Stay current.

Study the material described in the syllabus.

Complete the assigned homework.

Obtain class notes and homework if a class is missed.

Use the library to obtain supplemental material that explains an unclear topic.

Prepare for exams.

Ask for help! Before you fall behind.