Table of Contents      Module 1: An Introduction to Communications Systems      Module 2: Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH)      Module 3: Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)      Module 4: Copper      Module 5 : Ethernet   Module 1: An introduction to communications systems      1. In the beginning      2. Signals and information      3. Transmission media   Attenuation   Noise   Distortion      4. Analog signals vs. digital signals   Advantages of digital signals   Disadvantages of digital communications      5. Some important figures in analog and digital systems      6. Nyquist criterion   Module 2: Plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH)      1. Introduction      2. Pulse code modulation (PCM)      3. Multiplexing and multiple access      4. Line codes   NRZ (Non return to zero)   RZ (Return to zero)   AMI (Alternate mark inversion)   HDB3 (High density bipolar three zeros)   CMI (Coded mark inverted)      5. T1 and E1 PCM systems      6. The basic 2.048 Mbit/s frame   Frame alignment   FAS   CRC-4 multiframe   CRC-4 procedure   CRC-4 multiframe alignment   Advantages of the CRC-4 method   Monitoring errors   Supervision bits   NFAS - Spare bits   NFAS - Alarm bit   Signalling channel   CAS signalling multiframe   CAS multiframe alignment signal   CAS non-multiframe alignment signal      7. Plesiochronous digital hierarchy (PDH)   Plesiochronous synchronization   Positive justification   Justification opportunity bits and justification control bits   Higher hierarchical levels   Multiplexing level 2: 8 Mbit/s   Multiplexing level 3: 34 Mbit/s   Multiplexing level 4: 140 Mbit/s   Service bits in higher level frames   Managing alarms in higher level hierarchies   Module 3: Synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH)      1. Introduction      2. Limitations of the PDH network   Homogeneity of equipment   Limited functionality   The problem of channel segregration   The problem of cross-connection of channels   Incompatibility      3. Advantages of the SDH network   Direct internetworking   High speeds   Direct add/drop   Back-up circuits   Management capacity   Versatility of applications   Centralization   Integration   Compatibility      4. The origins of SDH networks   An end to monopolies   Broadband ISDN   Total management   Providing circuits for public networks      5. SDH functional architecture   Bytes versus bits   Reference model   Network elements   Regenerators (REG)   Line terminating multiplexers (LTMUX or PTE)   Add/drop multiplexers (ADM)   Digital cross-connects (DXC)   Logical resources or layers in an SDH network   Regeneration section (RS)   Multiplex section (MS)   Higher order path (HOP)   Lower order path (LOP)   Network topologies   Point-to-point   Multipoint   Ring   Star or Hub      6. SDH network services   Transport services   Services providing access to telecommunications networks   PDH over SDH   ATM directly over SDH   IP over SDH   Security in SDH networks   Diversification   Restoration   SDH path protection   Multiplex section protection (line)   Multiplex section dedicated protection (ring)   Multiplex section shared protection (ring - 2 fibres)   Multiplex section shared protection (ring - 4 fibres)      7. SDH multiplexing   Multiplexing map   Containers (C-n): the transport interface   Path overhead (POH)   Virtual containers (VC-n): the unit of exchange   Pointers and payload shift   The STM-1 frame   STM-N   Forming STM-N frames   Concatenation of AU-4   Transporting low rate tributaries   Containers: C-3, C-2, C-12 and C-11   Virtual containers: VC-3, VC-2, VC-12 and VC-11   Tributary units: TU-12, TU-3 and TU-2   TU multiframes   Tributary unit groups: TUG-2 and TUG-3      8. Example: transporting a 2 Mbit/s circuit in an SDH network      9. Network management services   Section overhead (SOH)   Monitoring errors and alarms   Maintenance signals   Managing network elements      10. Conclusions      11. Strategies and trends   Module 4 : Copper      1. Introduction      2. The Changing Environment      The Way We Were      Brave New World      Back to the Future      3. Properties of Transmission Lines      Line Equivalent Circuit      Characteristic Impedance      Impedance Matching      Return Loss      Insertion Loss      Longitudinal Balance      Crosstalk      4. Environmental Influences      Noise      White Noise      Noise Density      Real Noise      Impulse Noise      Interruptions      5. Line Impairments      Impairment Types      Cabling Faults      Split Pairs      Gauge Changes      Bridged Taps      Load Coils      Bad Twisting      Fault Location      6. Analogue Measurements      Single-ended Tests      Return Loss      Noise      Near End Crosstalk      Longitudinal Balance      TDR Test      Multimeter Tests      Double-ended Tests      Insertion Loss      Far End Crosstalk      Bit Rate Evaluation      Interruptions      Bridge-connected Tests      Noise Immunity      Power Spectral Density      7. Alternative Approaches      Digital Service Testing      Plant Records      Parametric Testing      8. Qualification Logistics      Factors for Consideration      Tester Deployment      9. Qualification Strategies      Pre-Qualification      Grey Areas      Bulk Pre-Qualification      Selective Pre-Qualification      Commissioning Qualification      Maintenance-only Testing      10. Practical Qualification      Two-Wire Tests      Four-Wire Test      11. Practical Troubleshooting      Troubleshooting Methodology      Isolation Testing      Noise Testing      Return Loss Testing      Longitudinal Balance Testing      Line Length Testing      Fault Location      12. Maintenance Strategies      Pro-active Maintenance      Re-active Maintenance      13. Appendix 1:Decibels      Decibels      dBm      Why Use Decibels?      14. Index   Module 5 : Ethernet      Introduction      1. Ethernet      Brief History      Medium Access Control      Physical Media      Ethernet Frames      Ethernet Evolution      Use of Full Duplex      Topologies      Logical Link Control Layer      Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet    2. Gigabit Ethernet      IEEE 802.3 Standardisation      Half Duplex and Full Duplex Mode      1000BASE-X Architecture      1000BASE-T Architecture      Installation of Gigabit Ethernet    3. Gigabit Ethernet Roll Out      Gigabit Ethernet Migration      The Testing Challenge      Hands On in Testing: Connection Modes      Frame-Oriented vs. Bit-Oriented      Acceptance Test      Installation Cabling Test      Installation      RFC 2544 or Performance Test      Performance Measurements      Maintenance      Metro Ethernet: Turning Up      Application Tests