Telecommunications networks are the backbone of the modern information era. These include both wired, comprising the fibre optical, and wireless networks. The main task of these networks is to transmit a message or information from one point to another without losing or changing it. The study course is intended to obtain knowledge regarding the design, operation, and management of telecommunications networks. Students are given insight into the architecture of modern telecommunications networks, creating numerical models in the modelling computer class and evaluating their performance. The switching in wireless and wired, including fibre optical communication networks, has been shown and explained. The principles of switching, architecture, and management of Ethernet and passive optical networks, their performance assessment, the OSI (open systems interconnection) model and its importance, and the principles of software defined networks (SDN), and edge computing are explained.
Course contents:
- Introduction. Basic principles of switching in packet networks.
- Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. Switching and addressing on the Internet.
- Transmission control protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP). Establishment of connection.
- The architecture of routers used in telecommunications networks. The role of switching fabrics in routers. Preparing the packet for handling. Queuing. Switch topologies.
- Signalling network and signalling channels. Functional levels of the signalling system.
- Switching in Gigabit Ethernet network. Key operating principles. Collisions and their identification. Ethernet network performance evaluation. Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS).
- Wireless networks. 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite communications, visible light communications (VLC).
- Passive optical networks (PON). Standards and architecture. From GPON and EPON to 50G-PON. Triple Play service for access networks. Fibre to x (FTTX). Operational principles and management.
- Management and testing of the fibre optical communications networks. Assessment of network quality parameters. Quality of service (QoS).
- Switching of optical channels in fibre optical transmission systems. Electro-optical switching elements. Optical switching systems.
- Software defined networks (SDN), edge computing, network virtualization.
- Practical works in the development, analysis, and management of the numerical models of telecommunications networks.
