Next generation access networks

Target audience:

This course is designed for those involved in the design, commissioning, and maintenance of copper and optical fibre access networks.

 

Course prerequisites:

An appreciation of the basic principles of transmitting signals over copper wires and optical fibre. And an appreciation of the protocols that govern data communications. It is recommended that the following PTT courses are studied before attempting this course:
"Signal impairments", "Transmission fundamentals", "Modulation and multiplexing" and "Data communications principles".

 

Course objectives:
By the end of this course you will be able to:

• describe the infrastructure and capabilities of ADSL, VDSL, and G.fast based access networks that use copper wire connections.
• explain the basic principles of discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation and its use in a DSL system.
• explain the concepts and significance of rate adaptation and noise margin.
• describe the causes and effects of interference on DSL connections and the measures taken to minimise the effects of crosstalk including vectoring.
• describe the architecture and operation of hybrid fibre coax (HFC) systems.
• compare the capabilities, bandwidth usage, and operation of DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1 and 4 HFC systems.
• describe possible architectures and the role of the components of a passive optical network (PON).
• explain the factors that determine the maximum reach of a PON with reference to receiver sensitivity and optical loss contributors.
• describe how GPON systems share their available capacity between customers while assuring an appropriate quality of service.
• describe the evolution of PON systems from GPON, through XGS-PON, NGPON2 to HSP comparing their capabilities, characteristics, and methods employed to increase data transfer rates.
• explain how GPON, XG-PON, NGPON2 and HSP systems can share the same physical infrastructure.
• describe the possibilities for future developments in fixed line access networks.

 

Approximate study time: 6 hours 

 

Delivery platform requirements:
To access the course, a computer/tablet running a browser such as Chrome, Safari, Edge etc. is required. The device should have an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024x768.