Advanced Telecommunications: Exam

Questions & Answers

1. Q: What are the three major essential elements of a basic communication system?

A: The three major essential elements required are Transmitter, Channel, and Receiver. For
effective transmission of signal/information, other elements considered too include
Information Source, Transducer, Output Transducer.

2. Q: How does a transducer function in a communication system?

A: A transducer converts one form of energy to another. In communication systems, it is

required to convert the information from the source into an electrical signal suitable for
transmission.

3. Q: Define the role of a transmitter in signal processing.

A: The transmitter is used for signal processing. It converts the electrical signal generated to
a form suitable for transmission through a transmission medium, easing the signal's
transmission via a channel.

4. Q: What differentiates a point-to-point channel from a broadcast channel?

A: A point-to-point channel includes wired communication such as wirelines, optical fibers,

etc., whereas a broadcast channel provides a capability where several receiving stations can
be reached at a single time from one transmitter.

5. Q: Describe the process of demodulation at the receiver end.

A: The receiver end recovers the information contained in the received signal. If the
message signal is transmitted via modulation, the receiver end demodulates it to extract the
message from the sinusoidal carrier.

6. Q: How is information source significant in a communication system?

A: The information source is where the message or information to be transmitted

originates. It's significant as it provides the content that needs to be transmitted, usually as
a non-electrical signal like a voice signal.

7. Q: What are the major evolutions in the history of telecommunications?

A: Major evolutions include Telegraphy (1838–1866), Telephony (1876–1899), Television

(1923–1938), Satellite communication begins with Telstar I (1962), Ethernet LAN invented
by Metcalfe and Broggs (1976), Modern cellular mobile networks put into service (1980–
1985), and Digital TV starts to replace analog broadcast TV (2001–2005).
8. Q: Define the term 'telecommunication network'.

A: A telecommunications network is a group of nodes interconnected by links used to

exchange messages between the nodes. The links may use various technologies based on
circuit switching, message switching, or packet switching.

9. Q: List examples of telecommunications networks.

A: Examples include Wide Area Networks (WANs), Telephone networks, Cellular networks,
Police and fire communications systems, Taxi dispatch networks, Groups of amateur radio
operators, Broadcast networks.

10. Q: What are the major components of a telecommunication network?

A: Major components include local networks interconnected by a long-distance network,

end-users as inputs and recipients of network outputs, and I/O devices such as PC
computers, telephone instruments, cellular phones, facsimile, or conference TV equipment.

11. Q: Explain the concept of unidirectional and bidirectional communication.

A: Unidirectional communication allows data to travel in only one direction, typically used
for information security. Bidirectional communication involves both parties transmitting
information, used in mediums like e-mail, face-to-face conversations, or telephone
conversations.

12. Q: Why is standardization important in telecommunication networks?

A: Standardization achieves interoperability, compatibility, and required performance in a

cost-effective manner, enabling competition, leading to economies of scale in manufacturing
and engineering, making the interconnection of systems from different vendors possible,
and improving system availability.

13. Q: Identify some global standards organizations.

A: Global standards organizations include the International Telecommunication Union

(ITU), with divisions ITU-T and ITU-R, and the International Standards
Organization/International Electro-technical Commission (ISO/IEC).

14. Q: What role do national standards organizations play?

A: National standards organizations, like the British Standards Institute (BSI), Deutsche
Industrie-Normen (DIN), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and Finnish
Standards Institute (SFS), set up specialized organizations or working groups for the
standardization of each specific technical area.

15. Q: How does the ITU-T contribute to telecommunications standardization?

A: ITU-T coordinates standards for telecommunication and ICT, ensuring the efficient and
timely production of standards covering all fields of telecommunications and ICTs on a
worldwide basis, as well as defining tariff and accounting principles for international
telecommunication services.

16. Q: Describe the significance of ITU-R standards.

A: ITU-R standards play a crucial role in managing the international radio-frequency

spectrum and satellite orbit resources. They ensure the effective use of the spectrum and
prevent harmful interference between radio stations of different countries.

17. Q: Discuss the role of telecommunications in developing countries.

A: In developing countries, telecommunications services are vital for socio-economic

development. They improve access to education, healthcare, and business opportunities,
fostering overall growth and development.

18. Q: What are the properties of the Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)?

A: PSTN is characterized by its use of circuit-switched technology, providing dedicated

communication paths for voice calls. It's known for its reliability, widespread availability,
and support for analogue and digital communication.

19. Q: Explain the basic system of PSTN.

A: The basic system of PSTN involves local exchanges connected to subscribers through
local loops, with long-distance calls facilitated by trunk lines and switching centers,
enabling global voice communication.

20. Q: How does switching operate in PSTN?

A: Switching in PSTN involves connecting calls through manual or automated switching

centers, directing the call path from the origin to the destination using circuit switching
technology.

21. Q: Describe the signaling process in PSTN.

A: The signaling process in PSTN includes initiating a call, sending dial tones, dialing, call
routing, and connecting the call. Signaling ensures proper call setup, management, and
termination.

22. Q: Differentiate between simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex communication.

A: Simplex communication allows data transmission in one direction only. Half-duplex

permits two-way communication, but not simultaneously. Full-duplex supports
simultaneous two-way data transmission.
23. Q: What technological advancements have influenced the evolution of
telecommunication?

A: Advancements such as digital technology, fiber optics, wireless communication, and the
Internet have significantly influenced telecommunication, enhancing speed, capacity, and
connectivity.

24. Q: How do wired telecommunication networks function?

A: Wired networks function by transmitting data through cables, such as copper wires or
fiber optics, connecting devices and enabling high-speed data exchange with physical links.

25. Q: Compare analogue telephone connections, ISDN, and VoIP.

A: Analogue connections transmit voice over copper wires, ISDN provides digital
transmission of voice and data over traditional phone lines, and VoIP uses the Internet to
transmit voice as data packets.

26. Q: What advancements have been made in PSTN over time?

A: Advancements include digital switching, the integration of computer technology, the

development of ISDN, and the transition towards Next Generation Networks (NGN) and
VoIP technologies.

27. Q: How does transmission in telecommunication systems work?

A: Transmission involves converting information into electrical signals or electromagnetic

waves, sending these signals over a medium, and converting them back into understandable
information at the receiver.

28. Q: Identify the four basic media used for transmission in telecommunication systems.

A: The four basic media are twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and
wireless transmission through radio waves.

29. Q: What is the importance of signaling conditions in PSTN?

A: Signaling conditions in PSTN are crucial for initiating, controlling, and terminating calls,
ensuring the network correctly processes and routes each call to its intended destination.

30. Q: How have international standards impacted the development of telecommunication

technologies?

A: International standards have facilitated interoperability, compatibility, and the global

integration of telecommunication technologies, promoting innovation and ensuring
seamless communication across different technologies and networks.