| University of Dar es Salaam | Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering |

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Tutorial 2
1.

What is network neutrality? Are you for or against this idea as an Internet user? Are
you for or against this idea as an ISP?

2.

Describe briefly three different generic types of static multiplexing and give a system
example in which each type is used in practice.

3.

Why is TDM important? Provide a detailed explanation of how it works. Feel free to
use a drawing to illustrate your answer.

4.

What is statistical multiplexing?. Under what circumstances is it preferable to static

multiplexing techniques?

5.

Describe the PDH. How are tributary bit streams with different bit rates
accommodated in the PDH?

6.

Consider four towns, each having 1800 telephones, with a requirement of 600 lines
between every pair of towns. Assume that 100 lines are required per town to the
outside world. Determine the PDH equipment needed, assuming
(a)
a single telephone exchange
(b)
a small telephone exchange in each town

7.

Explain briefly the basic concept of the SDH.

8.

What is the difference between the SDH and the PDH. What essential advantages
does the SDH enjoy over the PDH?

9.

Sketch the structure of the STM-1 in SDH and explain its make up.

10.

Show how signals with different data rates are multiplexed in SDH.

11.

Explain how a virtual container (VC-4) is placed inside the STM-1 frame. What is
floating payload? How can we accommodate a plesiochronous signal in such a
payload without loosing information? (Hint: the use of pointers)

12.

In fibre optic transmission lines, SONET and SDH are widely used for high speed
point-to-point transmission links.
(a)
Briefly explain the multiplexing techniques used in SONET and SDH and
outline the difference between them.
(b)
Explain the basic SONET transmission format with the aid of a diagram.
(c)
Calculate STS-1 data rate if the SONET frame has a 125-s duration.

13.

One of the key characteristics of SONET and SDH is that they are usually configured
as a ring topology. Explain why this is the case.

| TE 413 Introduction to Telecommunication Networks | Christine Mwase | 30/11/2010 |