أساسيات الاتصالات / Fundamentals of Telecommunications

This book is an entry-level text on the technology of telecommunications. It has been crafted with the newcomer in mind. The eighteen chapters of text have been prepared for high-school graduates who understand algebra, logarithms, and basic electrical principles such as Ohm’s law. However, many users require support in these areas so Appendices A and B review the essentials of electricity and mathematics through logarithms.
This material was placed in the appendices so as not to distract from the main theme: the technology of telecommunication systems. Another topic that many in the industry find difficult is the use of decibels and derived units. Appendix C provides the reader with a basic understanding of decibels and their applications. The only mathematics necessary is an understanding of the powers of ten.
To meet my stated objective, whereby this text acts as a tutor for those with no experience in telecommunications, every term and concept is carefully explained.
Nearly all terminology can be traced to the latest edition of the IEEE dictionary and/ or to several ITU (International Telecommunication Union) glossaries. Other tools I use are analogies and real-life experiences.
We hear the expression “going back to basics.” This book addresses the basics and it is written in such a way that it brings along the novice.
The structure of the book is purposeful; later chapters build on earlier material. The book begins with some general concepts in telecommunications: What is connectivity, What do nodes do? From there we move on to the voice network embodied in the public switched telecommunications network (PSTN), digital transmission and networks, an introduction to data communications, followed by enterprise networks.
It continues with switching and signaling, transmission transport, cable television, cellular/ PCS, ATM, and network management.
CCITT Signaling System No. 7 is a data network used exclusively for signaling. It was located after our generic discussion of data and enterprise networks. The novice would be lost in the explanation of System 7 without a basic understanding of data communications.
I have borrowed heavily from my many enriching years of giving seminars, both at Northeastern University and at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.
The advantage of the classroom is that the instructor can stop to reiterate or explain a sticky point. Not so with a book. As a result, I have made every effort to spot those difficult issues and then give clear explanations. Brevity has been a challenge for me. Telecommunications is developing explosively. My goal has been to hit the high points and leave the details to my other texts.