Topic outline

  • General description

    The target of this course is to introduce students to transport and access networks with special focus on practical aspects. It starts by giving overview about major Transport protocols, including Plesio-Chronous digital hierarchy PDH, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy SDH, Asynchronous Transfer Mode ATM, IP & MPLS. It highlights usage areas along with advantages and disadvantages of each protocol. Then it moves to technologies used in transport networks such as Microwave links, free space optics links, Satellite communications, and optical Fiber communications including WDM. Also, the course gives an overview about major access networks with some focus on Digital subscriber Line “DSL” and Optical Access Networks. Intended Learning Outcomes: Understand the basic structure of PDH protocol along with its Pros & Cons. Understand the basic structure of SDH protocol along with it Pros & Cons. Recognize the basic structure of ATM protocol along with its Pros & Cons. Recognize the basic structure of Ethernet & IP protocols with its part related to Transport (VLAN, MPLS), and using simulation programs in this domain. Recognize microwave links, practice basic design concepts and compute link budget using simple program for link budget calculation. Recognize satellite communication. Understand optic fiber communication (General introduction, DWDM, OTN). Recognize the basics of Access networks (Digital subscriber Line “DSL”, Optical Access Network).