Access and Backbone Systems and Networks

This course provides an understanding of the synchronous transmission systems and networks and its applications.

Lecture contents

• Introduction to transmission systems (2h): Analog and digital
  transmission, Multiplexing (FDM, TDM, WDM, CDM, synchronous,
  asynchronous, statistical), Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy.


• Introduction to Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (2h): Why SDH?,
  Comparison of SDH and SONET, Line topology and network layers
  (sections, paths), SDH procedures, SDH multiplexing structure.


• SDH frame structures (2h): Synchronous transport module STM-N,
  overheads (RSOH, MSOH), Virtual containers and overheads (POH), Pointer
  and adaptation, Administrative units, tributary units, Pointer formats,
  Pointer procedures, Payload adaptation.


• Networks elements, topologies and resilience (2h): Types of
  elements (line multiplexers, terminal multiplexer, add-drop
  multiplexer, crossconnects), Functional blocks. Topologies
  (point-to-point, rings, mash, mixed), Protection basics, Multiplex
  section or line protection (MSP, MSDPRing, MSSPRing, VC-P, SNCP),
  Restoration.


• DWDM (2h): Fiber optic cable, Optical sources, detectors, and
  amplifiers , Idea of fiber optic transmission, Dense wavelength
  division multiplexing lines, Network elements, Optical transport
  network OTN. Migration from DWDM to OTN, OTN architecture, elements and
  network topology, Optical transport hierarchy (OTH).


• Synchronization of transmission networks (2h): Clocks (PRC, SSU,
  SEC), Synchronization network topology, Disturbances in synchronization
  signal, Synchronization measurements.


• Transport over SDH networks (2h): Mapping and concatenation, PDH
  over SDH, ATM over SDH, HDLC frames mapping, Packet over SDH, Ethernet
  over SDH.


• Next Generation SDH (2h): NG SDH vs. SDH, Virtual
  concatenation and LCAS, Data over NG SDH.


• Introduction to wire access systems and networks (2h): Wire
  access systems, systems and network classification, subscriber lines
  and cables.


• Asymmetric digital subscriber line (2h): ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+,
  ADSL2R, ADSL2.lite.


• Symmetrical digital subscriber line (2h): HDSL, SDSL, SHDSL.


• Very high bit rate Digital Subscriber Line (2h): VDSL, VDSL2.


• Fiber in the Loop (2h): FTTC, FTTB, FTTH, OLT and ONU units.


• Hybrid Fiber/Coaxial and CATV access (2h).

1. J. M. Caballero, F. Hens, R. Segura, A. Guimera, Installation and Maintenance of SDH/SONET, ATM, xDSL and Synchronization Networks,
   Artech House, 2003.


2. S.V. Kartalopoulos, Next Generation SONET/SDH, John Wiley and
   Sons, 2005.


3. C. Siller, M. Safi, Sonet/SDH A Source Book of Synchronous
   Networking, John Wiley and Sons, 2001.

There is one test during the semester for 40 points. Maximum score for
the examination is 60 points.

The final mark is based on the following rules:

5.0: 91-100 points

4.5: 81-90 points

4.0: 71-80 points

3.5: 61-70 points

3.0: 51-60 points

2.0: 0 -50 points