Switching Systems for

Public Networks

Amila Perera
Sri Lanka Telecom Training Centre

1
Description of Unit

 The aim of this unit is to provide an

understanding of the architecture, operation
and major design issues relating to switching
and transmission systems.

2
Description of Unit

 This unit has been designed to enable the

learner to understand the importance of
switching and transmission systems within
public and private networks.

3
Description of Unit

 Learners will consider the need for seamless

and transparent global networks and the
requirement for unified networks
incorporating differing technologies for multi-
media applications.

4
Summary of learning outcomes

 Investigate switching systems for public

networks
 Investigate switching systems for private and
integrated networks
 Investigate the properties of the
Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH)
 Investigate the properties of the Synchronous
Digital Hierarchy (SDH)

5
Summary of learning outcomes

 Investigate switching systems for public

networks
 Investigate switching systems for private and
integrated networks
 Investigate the properties of the
Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH)
 Investigate the properties of the Synchronous
Digital Hierarchy (SDH)

6
Links

The unit is designed to stand alone but it has

links with:
 Unit 8: Data Communications and Networks

 Unit 17: Digital Networks.

7
Switching systems for public networks

 Call set up process

 Call routing
 Signalling techniques

8
Call Set up Process

 Number allocation/recognition
 Use of tones
 Network hierarchy (eg: local exchange,
tandem/transit, international gateway)

9
Call Routing
 Subscriber trunk dialling (STD)
 Access networks
 Transmission equipment
 Concentrators
 Remote concentrator units (RCU)
 Digital cell centre exchange (DCCE)
 Digital main switching units (DMSU)
 Time and space switching
 Stored programme control (SPC)
10
Signaling Techniques
 DC
 Tones in-band
 Tones out-of-band
 Supervisory
 Channel associated signalling (CAS
 Common channel signalling (CCS)
 Signalling system no. 7 (SS7)
 Service logic (eg: service switching point (SSP),
service control point (SCP) call processing)

11
Switching systems for private and
integrated networks
 PBX architecture
 PBX features
 Voice over internet protocol

12
PBX Architecture

 Hardware (eg: leased lines, leased carriers,

leased trunks, multi-line key handsets);
Centrex

13
PBX features
 Range and modularity of services
 time-of-day routing
 toll-free calling,
 call line identification
 local number portability
 Enterprise switching
 hunt groups
 key systems
 Connectivity options
 PBX-PBX, PBX-PSTN
 ISDN
 Unified network concept
 Call/contact centres

14
Voice over internet protocol
 internet telephony
 major system components
 gateways,
 gatekeepers,
 IP telephones
 PC based software phones
 development issues
 Voice quality
 bandwidth constraint
 transparency to the user
 TCP/UDP issue
 Security
 accounting/billing
15
Switching systems for public networks

 describe the call set up process

 explain how calls are routed over the PSTN
 evaluate the range of signalling techniques
used in public networks

16
Switching systems for private and
integrated networks
 describe the architecture of a private branch
exchange (PBX)
 describe the features of a PBX
 explain the principles of voice
communication by means of the internet
protocol (voice over IP)

17
Textbooks

 Ronayne J – Introduction to Digital Communications

Switching (UCL Press, 1991) ISBN 0273034529
 Russell T – Signalling System #7 (McGraw-Hill,
2000) ISBN 0071361197
 Sexton M and Reid A – Broadband Networking:
ATM, SDH and SONET (Artech House, 1997) ISBN
0890065780
 Shepard S – SONET/SDH Demystified (McGraw-
Hill, 2001) ISBN 0071376186
 Thompson R – Telephone Switching Systems
(Artech House, 2000) ISBN 1580530885

18
Switching systems for public networks

 describe the call set up process

 explain how calls are routed over the PSTN
 evaluate the range of signalling techniques
used in public networks

19
The Phone
receiver

RJ11 Hybrid network RJ11

Tip
Line cord
Ring
(inside telephone)

transmitter

RJ11

20
Speak
receiver

Hybrid network

Tip
Line cord
Sound waves
Ring
(inside telephone)

transmitter

21
Listen
receiver

Sound waves

Hybrid network

Tip
Line cord
Ring
(inside telephone)

transmitter

22
Tip & Ring

 two wires ordinary telephone line

 Tip is the ground side (+), (also called A –
earth)
 Ring is the working voltage (-), (also called B
– battery)

23
Origin of the Term

ring
tip

sleeve

24
Early Phones
 Early phones were self-powered
 Used batteries for powering the transmitter
 Ringer on the phone B was activated by the
electrical energy generated by the hand
crank on A.
 When the receiver was lifted, the hook switch
would connect the transmitter and the battery
 When in idle they were kept disconnected to
save battery.

25
Ringing Tone

 To ring the phone to alert to an incoming call,

about 90 volts of 20 Hz AC current is
superimposed over the DC voltage already
present on the idle line. (America)
 In Europe it is around 60-90 volts AC at a
frequency of 25 Hz

26
Manual Central Exchange
 The first telephone exchange installed in
1878
 First phones were self-powered
 Ringing by means of using a hand crank
 Ringing signal would operate a relay and a
lamp, at the central office.
 The operator would answer the call
 To connect A and B, the operator had patch
cords.

27
Manual Central Exchange

 Main disadvantage?

28
Manual Central Exchange

 Main disadvantage:
 There was no indication when the call was
completed.

29
Operator switchboard

 To overcome the above disadvantage the

operator switchboard was invented
 It provided the operator with a monitor switch
 The monitor switch had 3 positions
 1 – allow A and B talk
 2 – talk to A in private
 3 – talk to B in private

30
Bell Telephone Company Central Exchange in New York (in 1888)
31
 Operator did not listen to the ongoing call
 But would interrupt from time to time (in a few
minutes) either A or B.
 One operator could handle about 10 calls at a
time.

32
Numbering

 In those early times the operator could

remember the people (subscribers) in a small
town by name.
 In large cities this was not practical
 Telephone numbering started

33
North American Telephone Numbering
Plan
 In about 1957,
 3-digit area code
 3-digit central exchange code 7 –digit
‘subscriber
 4-digit line number
number’

34
Centralized Power

 When the concept of central exchanges were

introduced, ringing the phone became a task
of the switchboard operator.
 The use of hand crank as well the battery in
the phone were no longer necessary

35
Line Relay

36
 Later, a third lead, called sleeve, was
introduced to the plug of the patch cord.
 It was wired to contact in the line relay, which
operated a ‘monitor’ or ‘supervisory’ lamp for
the duration of the call.
 Operators no longer needed to interrupt into
the call, since they could watch the lamps.

37
Automation of Switching Process

 As the number of subscribers grew,

 Look for more efficient ways for switching
 Automation of switching function became
necessary

38
If Not Automated…

 Whole population would be required to work

as switchboard operators!
 Or, limit the number of users to 10% of
present users!

39
1892 Strowger Switch
 Handling of switching instructions that were
previously done by the operator, was now
assigned to the user from the telephone unit
itself (telephone dial).
 This switch had stepping relays that worked
according to the dial pulses.
 Upon completing one digit, the first stepping
relay would activate another stepping relay.
 Complete connection was achieved by serial
activation of several stepping relays.
40
 Strowger switch was also called the step-by-
step switch.
 They came into wide use only by 1920’s.
 Still in rural areas, manual switchboards were
in operation until 1950’s.

41
SPC Switching Systems

 With the invention of the transistor and

computers, Strowger switches have been
replaced SPC electronic switches.
 They take much smaller space, and
economical in power consumption.

42
43
44