A P P E N D I X G

E&M Signalling Interface

Introduction
This appendix provides additional information on the tie line signalling standards and the FastPAD's
E&M interface. The material presented here supplements the information provided in Chapter 7.

Signalling Types
The FastPAD supports five E&M signalling standards (Types I through V) for PBX tie line interfaces.
These conventions, as defined by AT&T specifications, are described below.
With each signalling type, the PBX supplies one signal, known as the M signal (for Mouth), and
accepts one signal, known as the E signal (for Ear). Conversely, the tie line equipment (e.g., the
FastPAD) accepts the M signal from the PBX and provides the E signal to the PBX. The M signal
accepted by the tie line equipment at one end of a tie circuit becomes the E signal output by the
remote tie line interface.
Each of the five types is illustrated in Figure G-1. The illustrations in this figure are abstracted from
the specifications to show the essential components of the signalling circuitry. In this Figure G-1, the
symbol V refers to battery voltage, which can be 25 Vdc to 65 Vdc, and is usually (nominally) –48
Vdc. Each of the illustrations in the figure show the PBX's E&M interface on the left, and the
corresponding tie line equipment interface on the right.

Type I
With the Type I interface the tie line equipment generates the E signal to the PBX by grounding the
E lead. The PBX detects the E signal by sensing the increase in current through a resistive load (this
is indicated in the Figure G-1 by the unconnected node branching from the right side of the E
resistor). Similarly, the PBX generates the M signal by sourcing a current to the tie line equipment,
which detects it via a resistive load.
The Type I interface requires that the PBX and tie line equipment share a common signalling ground
reference. This can be achieved by connecting signal ground from the PBX to the SG lead (pin 8) of
the RJ45 connector.

E&M Signalling Interface G-1

Signalling Types

Type II
The Type II interface requires no common ground; instead, each of the two signals has its own return.
For the E signal, the tie line equipment permits current to flow from the PBX; the current returns to
the PBX's ground reference. Similarly, the PBX closes a path for current to generate the M signal to
the tie line equipment.

Type III
A variation of Type II, Type III uses the SG lead to provide common ground. With this configuration,
the PBX drops the M signal by grounding it, rather than by opening a current loop.

Type IV
Type IV is symmetric and requires no common ground. Each side closes a current loop to signal; the
flow of current is detected via a resistive load to indicate the presence of the signal.

Type V
Type V is a simplified version of Type IV. This is also a symmetric interface, using only two wires.
Type V requires a common ground between the PBX and the tie line equipment; this is provided via
the SG leads.

G-2 FastPAD User Guide

 Signalling Types

Figure G-1 E&M Signalling Types

PBX Tie line equipment

V
E
PBX Tie line equipment
V
M V
E

Type I
SG

PBX Tie line equipment M

V V
E SB

Type II
SG

M
V PBX Tie line equipment
SB
V
E
Type III

SG

V
PBX Tie line equipment M
V
E SB

H9310
Type IV
SG

V
M

Type V

E&M Signalling Interface G-3

Application Examples

Application Examples
In examples below the term “attached device” refers to tie line equipment such as the FastPAD.

E&M Type I
• Idle Condition. The E lead is biased by the PBX at –48 Vdc. The M lead is biased at 0 Vdc by
the attached device (FastPAD).
• PBX Initiated Call. The PBX supplies –48 Vdc to the M lead, signalling to the attached device
that it wants a connection. The attached device grounds the E lead, signalling the response.
• Attached Device Initiated Call. The attached device grounds the E lead, signalling to the PBX
that it wants a connection. The PBX supplies –48 Vdc to the M lead, signalling the response.
• PBX Initiated Disconnect. The PBX initiates disconnection by opening the M lead. The M lead
is pulled to 0 Vdc, as biased by the attached device. In response, the attached device opens the E
lead, which is pulled to –48 Vdc, as biased by the PBX.
• Attached Device Initiated Disconnect. The attached device initiates the disconnect by opening
the E lead. The E lead is pulled to –48 Vdc as biased by the PBX. In response, the PBX opens
the M lead. The M lead, which is pulled to 0 Vdc, as biased by the attached device.

E&M Type II
• Idle Condition. The E lead is biased by the PBX at –48 Vdc. The M lead is biased at –48 Vdc
by the attached device (FastPAD).
• PBX Initiated Call. The PBX grounds the M lead, signalling to the attached device that it wants
a connection. The attached device grounds the E lead, signalling the response.
• Attached Device Initiated Call. The attached device grounds the E lead, signalling to the PBX
that it wants a connection. The PBX grounds the M lead, signalling the response.
• PBX Initiated Disconnect. The PBX initiates disconnection by opening the M lead. The M lead
is pulled to –48 Vdc, as biased by the attached device. In response, the attached device opens the
E lead, which is pulled to –48 Vdc, as biased by the PBX.
• Attached Device Initiated Disconnect. The attached device initiates the disconnect by opening
the E lead. The E lead is pulled to –48 Vdc as biased by the PBX. In response, the PBX opens
the M lead. The M lead, which is pulled to –48 Vdc, as biased by the attached device.

E&M Type V
• Idle Condition. The E lead is biased by the PBX at –48 Vdc. The M lead is biased at –48 Vdc
by the attached device (FastPAD).
• PBX Initiated Call. The PBX grounds the M lead, signalling to the attached device that it wants
a connection. The attached device grounds the E lead, signalling the response.
• Attached Device Initiated Call. The attached device grounds the E lead, signalling to the PBX
that it wants a connection. The PBX grounds the M lead, signalling the response.
• PBX Initiated Disconnect. The PBX initiates disconnection by opening the M lead. The M lead
is pulled to –48 Vdc, as biased by the attached device. In response, the attached device opens the
E lead, which is pulled to –48 Vdc, as biased by the PBX.

G-4 FastPAD User Guide

 FastPAD E&M Interface

• Attached Device Initiated Disconnect. The attached device initiates the disconnect by opening
the E lead. The E lead is pulled to –48 Vdc as biased by the PBX. In response, the PBX opens
the M lead. The M lead, which is pulled to –48 Vdc, as biased by the attached device.

FastPAD E&M Interface

The FastPAD's E&M interface is designed to connect with that of a PBX tie line port, and provide
appropriate end-to-end signalling support for a variety of applications. The following paragraphs
describe this interface in detail.
• FastPAD Circuits and E&M Signalling. The FastPAD generates the E signal to the PBX in
response to an inbound signal at the remote FastPAD. That signal depends on the application of
the remote unit. The local FastPAD will generate the E signal in the following applications:
• The remote FastPAD is configured for E&M signalling, and detects an active M signal, The
remote unit uses the FastPAD OPX option, and detects an off hook condition on its two-wire
loop-start or ground-start circuit. The remote unit uses the FastPAD SLT option, and detects a
ring signal on its two-wire loop-start or ground-start circuit.

E&M Signalling Interface G-5