Incorporation Of Broadband Access Technology In A Telecommunications Engineering Technology Program

The so-called “last mile” of the telecommunications network, which links residences and business locations to the network, has traditionally been the last bastion of old technology. Residential voice service is still mostly provided via an analog signal over a pair of copper wires that connects the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAssociation for Engineering Education - Engineering Library Division Papers p. 13.736.1
Main Authors Koontz, Warren, Chance, Glenn, Indelicato, Mark
Format Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published Atlanta American Society for Engineering Education-ASEE 22.06.2008
Subjects
Bandwidths
Broadband
Cables
Communications networks
Copper
Customer services
Customers
Digital transmission
Electric communication systems
Engineering
Hydrofluorocarbons
Laboratories
Optical communication
Optical fibers
Switching
Telecommunications
Telecommunications engineering
Video transmission
Voice communication
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Summary:The so-called “last mile” of the telecommunications network, which links residences and business locations to the network, has traditionally been the last bastion of old technology. Residential voice service is still mostly provided via an analog signal over a pair of copper wires that connects the telephone to a switching system in a central office. The high-speed digital technology employed by modern switching systems and inter-office transmission systems does not extend to most residences. The local access network is a landscape of copper wires bound into large cables, splices, cross-boxes and other equipment that has provided voice-grade service over the years. However, the landscape is changing dramatically as both residential and business customers demand more and more bandwidth for a growing number of services including high- speed Internet access and video as well as voice. Telcos such as AT&T and Verizon as well as Multi-Service Operators (MSOs) are both vying to provide the “triple play” (voice, data and video) to these customers. In order to provide the triple play, service providers are introducing digital transmission and optical fiber, which have revolutionized long-haul communication, to the local access network. The Telecommunication Engineering Technology program at RIT is responding to this trend by providing courses and laboratory facilities to introduce students to the associated technology. Our Telecommunication Systems Laboratory now features both passive optical network (PON) and hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) technology. These are two leading approaches to provide broadband access to support the triple play. In addition, we are developing new courses to cover topics such as video transmission and broadband network engineering. This paper presents the current status of our laboratory and course development along with our plans for future enhancements. This paper consists of two parts: a review of communication requirements and technology in the local access network and a report on how this area is being addressed by the Telecommunication Engineering Technology Program and Rochester Institute of Technology.