Unit 1

TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

The technology of telecommunications has continued to advance rapidly ever

since the invention of telegraph and telephone systems that revolutionized the
means of communications about a century ago. Today, the electrical
telecommunications system is regarded as the most economical means available for
transmitting voice, facsimile, data, radio, or television signals.
The most commonly used telecommunications system is a telephony
communication system where men are information sources as well as users, and
telephones used as transmitters/ receivers. Currently, the machine-run information
announcement service, characterized by the machine acting as information source
and man serving as users, is in high demand. In addition, machine-to-machine
communications such as data communications are now in service. Communications
carried out through the interface between men and machines, and between
machines, as in the case of conventional methods, are expected to become more
popular.
Together with the conventional telecommunications services based on the
telephone and telegraph systems independently run through the utilization of the
subscriber telephone network, an increasing number of highly sophisticated and
powerful means such as data and video communications are being installed and
operated.
Digital transmission is employed in the telecommunications system in order to
achieve high reliability and because the cost of digital switching systems is much
lower than the cost of analog systems. In order to use digital transmission, the
analog signals must be subjected to a process of analog-to-digital conversion. (In
data transmission this step is bypassed because the signals are already in digital
form; most television, radio, and voice communication, however, use the analog
system and must be digitized).
In the early part of the 1960s, PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) method was
successfully commercialized, thus providing that digital transmission method was
far more economical than conventional analogue transmission method. Ever since,
the digital switching systems run on the digital transmission system have been
installed and operated widely.
Researchers and engineers in the advanced countries are working hard to
develop this type of digital communications network. Also available is the ISDN
(Integrated Service Digital Network) where integrated services are provides with
digitalized terminals. In addition, as the types of telecommunications services
offered become more varied, a wide range of terminal types, one of the three
important parts of telecommunications network, namely, terminal, transmission,
and switching facilities, are now used widely.
Most existing public terminals are designed to be easily operated as much as
possible, however some of them, called integrated terminals, are equipped with
advanced features used for special services. Consequently, the formats of using

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communications will become more diversified, and also the efforts to develop
technology adequate for those purposes will be made.
(Text adapted from General Introduction of Telecommunication Theory by LG
Information & Communications, Ltd.)

Words and expressions

advanced (adj) tiên tiến, phát triển

characterize (v) đặc trưng cho
cost (n) giá thành
diversified (adj) phong phú, đa dạng
effort (n) nỗ lực
telecommunications (ngành) viễn thông
facility (n) phương tiện
facsimile (n) máy fax
feature (n) tính năng
interface (n,v) giao diện
integrated (adj) tích hợp, liên kết
PCM (pulse code modulation) điều xung mã
regard (v) as coi, cho (… là)
reliability (n) độ tinh cậy, tính tin cậy
revolutionize (v) cách mạng hoá
sophisticated (adj) phức tạp, tinh vi
terminal (n) (thiết bị) đầu cuối

1. Main idea
Which statement best expresses the main idea of the text? Why don’t you
choose the other choices?
1. Terminals, transmission lines, and switching facilities are the three most
important components of a telecommunication system.
2. A typical telecommunication system based on the telephony system is capable
of transmitting various kinds of information and speech.
3. Based on the telephony system, a typical telecommunication system, which is
now in the process of digitalization, is capable of transmitting diversified types
of information.
2. Questions
Answer the following questions.
4. What were the first devices used in telecommunication?
……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….………
5. What is a typical telecommunication system capable of doing?
……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….………
6. Why is digital transmission to be more widely used in telecommunication
systems?
……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….………
7. What is meant by PCM? What is its function?
……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….………
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8. What characteristic of the ISDN is mentioned in the text?
……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….………
3. Understanding the passage
Decide whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) by referring
to the information in the text. Then make the necessary changes so that the false
statements become true.
1. …… In the telephony communication system, men are considered both
information sources and users.
2. …… An increasing number of powerful means of video and data
communication are being installed and operated.
3. …… In data transmission, signals must be converted into the digital form
before transmission.
4. …… With the introduction of PCM, costs of transmission were greatly
reduced.
5. …… Transmission lines are most important component of a
telecommunication system.

4. Understanding words
Refer back to the text and find synonyms (i.e. words with a similar meaning)
for the following words

1. considered (para 1) ………………………..

2. in use (para 2) ………………………..
3. complicated (para 3) ………………………..
4. ignored (para 4) ………………………..
5. ensuring that (para 5) ………………………..

Now refer back to the text and find antonyms (i.e. words with an opposite
meaning) for the following words.

6. receivers (para 2) ………………………..

7. uninstalled (para 3) ………………………..
8. higher (para 4) ………………………..
9. digital-to-analog (para 4) ………………………..
10. narrow (para 6) ………………………..

5. Content review
Use the information in the text to complete the following summary.
1. A typical telecommunication system is capable of transmitting voice,
facsimile, data, radio, or ………………………. signals.
2. The most commonly used telecommunication system is a ……………………….
system.
3. Digital transmission is applied in telecommunication systems so as to achieve
high ………………………..
4. Digital switching systems have been widely used due to the development of
………………………. method.
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 5. In ISDN, all terminals must be ………………………. .
6. The formats of using telecommunications will be ……………………….in the
future.
7. English- Vietnamese translation
Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese, basing on the
information in the text.
1. Communications carried out through the interface between men and machines,
and between machines are expected to become more popular.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Based on the telephony system, a typical telecommunication system, which is

now in the process of digitalization, is capable of transmitting diversified types
of information.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. Vietnamese- English translation

Translate the following sentences into English, basing on the information in
the text.
1. Do có độ tin cậy cao và giá thành hạ, các hệ thống truyền dẫn số đang được sử
dụng ngày một rộng rãi hơn, đáp ứng nhu cầu ngày càng tăng về những dịch vụ
viễn thông chất lượng cao.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Các thiết bị đầu cuối, một trong ba bộ phận quan trọng nhất trong ngành viễn
thông điện tử, đang trở nên ngày một phong phú và phức tạp hơn.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

9. Discussion
Talking about analog to digital conversion
 Reason of using analog to digital conversion
 Application of analog to digital conversion
 Some analog to digital conversion techniques
 Pulse code modulation

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 Unit 2

TRANSMISSION LINES
Telecommunications involves the transmission of information, including voice,
data, TV, and radio over long distances. The transmission medium can be free space,
or the information can be guided between transmitter and receivers using
transmission line cables of various kinds.
Transmission on open-wire lines was the earliest method used for telephone
traffic, and this method is still used in the local networks of many countries.
Nowadays, due to the demands on operating reliability, local networks are built up
using aerial or underground cable.
Between the subscriber and the local exchange two-wire circuits are used,
often placed in symmetric cable pairs. Between the local and transit exchanges
either two- or four-wire circuits are used. On longer routes, it may be advantageous
to use PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) on coaxial cable. These cables are also used for
FDM (Frequency Division Multiplexing) systems transmitting up to 10800
telephone channels. At regular intervals along the coaxial line, line amplifiers are
provided; these are mounted in underground housings, and are called “intermediate
repeaters”. In principle, the greater the number of channels transmitted, the larger
the number of repeaters required.
The shortcoming related to a large number of repeaters required on a
transmission line is overcome by using optical fiber cable due to its low signal
fading. Made of pure silica, the newly developed cable has several advantages over
traditional types of cable including low cost, ability to carry a lot of information,
immunity to interference and crosstalk, light weight, and flexibility. This type of
cable is gradually replacing conventional copper wire for connecting telephones and
computer networks.
Since 1965, satellites have become increasingly important for long distance
communications, especially across the oceans. Most telecommunications satellites
have been placed in geostationary orbit (GEO), a circular orbit 35,785 kilometer
(22,235 miles) above the Earth in which the period of their revolution around the
Earth equals the period of the Earth’s rotation. By virtue of a wide area of coverage,
GEO satellites can deliver a variety of telecommunication services, such as long-
distance point-to-point transmission, wide area broadcasting (from a single
transmitter to multiple receivers), or wide are report-back services (from multiple
transmitters to a single receiver). In principle, the satellite operates as an
intermediate repeater; signals are received, amplified, and transmitted to the
ground station on the receive side. Satellites use the same frequency band as radio
relay systems.

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 Radio relay links operate with line of sight between the send and receive
stations. In principle, the greater the diameter of the parabola in relation to the
wavelength, the higher the degree of directivity.
In terminal repeater station, situated in ground stations and transit exchanges,
speech signals are modulated and combined before transmission. Each separate
conversation is shifted to a significantly higher frequency range. This is done in a
number of steps. First, by selecting suitable modulation frequencies, the
conversations can be placed next to each other along the frequency axis. Then they
are transmitted as a group to the receive side where a similar station demodulates
the signals and extracts the various conversations before they are transmitted in
two- or four-wire circuits to another transit exchange.
(Text adapted from English for the Telecommunications Industry by Jeremy
Comfort, Rod Revell, Ian Simpson, Trish stott, Derek Utley)

Words and expressions

attenuation (n) suy hao

coaxial cable cáp đồng trục
coverage (n) sự bao trùm, bao phủ
directivity (n) tính định hướng
exchange (n) tổng đài
extract (v) tách, chiết (ra)
frequency axis trục tần số
geostationary orbit quỹ đạo địa tĩnh
immunity (n) sự miễn dịch
intermediate repeater thiết bị lặp
local network mạng nội hạt
optical fibre cable cáp quang
parabola (n) ăng ten pa-ra-bôn
radio relay system hệ thống tiếp song ra-đi-ô
revolution (n) sự quay
shortcoming (n) hạn chế, nhược điểm
transit exchange tổng đài chuyển tiếp
underground cable cáp ngầm
underground housing công trình ngầm

1. Main idea
Which statement best expresses the main idea of the text? Why did you omit
the other choice?
1. All kinds of data and information are transmitted over various types of
transmission lines.
2. Information, including voice, data, TV, and radio are transmitted and
received through various types of cables, radio relay links as well as
satellites.
3. Various types of cable as well as satellites are in widespread use for
transmission of information.
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2. Questions

Answer the following questions

1. What was the earliest method used for transmitting telephone traffic?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. What kinds of cable are used for connecting the subscriber to the local
exchange?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. Why optical fibre cable is now gradually replacing conventional copper
wire in connecting telephone and computer networks?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. How many functions does a communication satellite perform? What are
they?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. What is the directivity of a radio relay system proportional to?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Understand the passage

Decide whether the following statements are true or false (T/F) by referring
to the information in the text. Then make the necessary changes so that the false
statements become true.
1. …… Currently, open-wire lines are not used any longer for telephone
networks of many countries.
2. …… Both pulse-code modulation and frequency-division multiplexing
should be used for long routes on coaxial cable.
3. …… Due to its lightweight, immune to interference and crosstalk,
flexibility, low cost, and ability to carry a lot of information, optical
fibre cable is now widely used.
4. …… Communications satellites have been used in service since 1960s.
5. …… It is not necessary to modulate or combine speech signals before
transmission.

4. Understanding words

Refer back to the text and find synonyms for the following words
1. environment (para 1) ………………………..
2. oldest (para 2) ………………………..
3. line amplifier (para 3) ………………………..
4. limitation (para 4) ………………………..
5. separate (para 7) ………………………..

Refer back to the text and find antonyms for the following words
6. latest (para 2) ………………………..
7. strong point (para 4) ………………………..
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 8. send station (para 6) ………………………..
9. demodulated (para 7) ………………………..
10. combines (para 7) ………………………..
5. Content review

Use the information in the text to complete the following summary

1. In a typical telecommunications system, the transmission
……………………………. can be free space, or various kinds of cable.
2. Because of its advantages, ……………………………. is gradually replaced
conventional copper wire.
3. Most of telecommunications ……………………………. are placed in geostationary
orbit.
4. Relay radio link operate with ……………………………. between send and receive
stations.
5. Before transmission, speech signals are ……………………………. and
…………………………….
6. English- Vietnamese translation

Translate the following sentences into Vietnamese, basing on the

information in the text.
1. Although the optical fibre has a small diameter than a human hair, it can be
used to transmit tens of thousands of signals with very low loss and no
interference from other signals.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Perhaps the greatest change, which has occurred in the last twenty years, is
that from analogue to digital transmission.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

7. Vietnamese- English translation

Translate the following sentences into English, basing on the information in

the text.
1. Cáp đồng trục có khả năng chống can nhiễu tốt hơn so với cáp trần, song loại
cáp này còn kém xa loại cáp quang xét trên nhiều phương diện khác nhau.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Xét về nguyên lý, vệ tinh viễn thông hoạt động như một trạm chuyển tiếp
sóng vô tuyến; nó có chức năng nhận, khuyếch đại và truyền sóng vô tuyến
xuống các trạm mặt đất.
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 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

8. Discussion
Talking about multiplexing and modulation
 Definition of modulation and multiplexing
 The reasons of using modulation and multiplexing
 Some techniques of modulation and multiplexing

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