COURSE
OUTLINE
1. Content Overview
What is the access network?
- where does it fit?
- what
are the competing technologies?
- why is
it important
- market
projections from market research organizations
2.
Characteristics of the media used
Why copper, in a world of
fiber?
-
relationship between bandwidth, baud rate, and bps
- local
loop characteristics
- local
loop impairments, e.g. bridge taps, loading
coils, repeaters
- other
loop problems, e.g. subscriber multiplexing, line doublers
Transmission impairments
-
Attenuation and wire size
- Near
End / Far End Crosstalk (NEXT/FEXT)
- effects
of line code as a disturber
Coaxial cable
-
characteristics and types
-
capacities and limitations
Fiber Optic cable
-
characteristics and types
-
capacities and limitations
- optical
transmission impairments
Terrestrial Wireless
-
wireless local loop
-
frequencies used, bandwidths possible, pros & cons
Satellite
-
characteristics and types
- why
limited use in the access network
3. Overview of related
technologies
Network architectures
related to the OSI model
TCP/IP overview
G.702, 3, & 4, PDH
multiplexing overview and related components, e.g. access multiplexers, cross
connect systems,
etc.
Synchronous Digital
Hierarchy (SDH)
-
structure and hierarchy
- frame
structure
-
maintenance and management capabilities
- protection switching,
rings, Add/Drop Multiplexing
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM
- where
it fits
- what does ATM actually do
- perceived benefits of ATM
Other switching
technologies
- circuit switching
- packet switching
- frame relay
- SMDS (Switched
Multi-megabit Data Service
- MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label
Switching)
4. Access Network solutions
Twisted pair copper based
networks
- general structure
Digital subscriber Line
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line
- providing network
access to 8.1 Mbps, popular for internet access
HDSL (Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line
- providing an
improved line code for T1/E1 circuits for greater reach
RADSL (Rate Adaptive
Digital Subscriber Line
- providing variable
rate access dependent on line quality
SDSL (Single-line Digital
Subscriber Line
- providing support
of T1/E1 on a single local loop pair
SDSL (Single-line Digital
Subscriber Line
- providing support
of T1/E1 on a single local loop pair
VDSL Very high bit rate
Digital Subscriber Line
- providing support
for up to 51 Mbps over very short local loops
DSL uses ATM for data
packaging; why?
DSL applications
DSL pricing example
Coaxial cable based
networks
- general structure
- cable network design and
infrastructure
- cable modems and their
prospects
- cable as an integrated
access service for voice and data, as well as video
Fiber Optic based networks
- general structure
- physical layouts
- passive versus active
optical components
- increasing use of WDM
(Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
- DWDM
- Internet Protocol (IP)
over WDM, bypassing ATM
and/or SDH
- pros and cons
- future prospects
- photonic switching
- 2.4 Gbps to every
home?
Hybrid Fiber Coax
solutions
Wireless Local Loop (WLL)
- how fast it work anyway?
- how can we install masts
on every home without some protest?
- migration to the third
generation of mobile (IMTS-2000)
5. Economic models
cost components of an
access network
- media
- ducting
- rights of way
- aerial versus
underground
- wireless versus
wireline
- intermediate
multiplexing/line
doubling/switching/PON
- WAN access interface
- people costs
some examples from networks
already in service
some market research
projections
6. Future
-
Impact on services tariffs,
now and in the future
- As a catalyst to e-Commerce, how will the tax authorities
still receive their
VAT or equivalent taxes? Can you see
a USA supplier
advising a European Government on
how much their customers spend with them? Or collect
taxes on their behalf?
- What will be the driver for gigabit speeds to the home
user, applications,
or the technology to deliver it?
