Advanced Telecommunications Technology

Author

Lee Afflerbach
Columbia Telecommunications Corporation
E-mail: lafflerbach@internetctc.com
Phone: 410-964-5700

Description

The overall goal of this course is to provide a system-level understanding of the operation of modern broadband transportation communications networks. This course focuses on how to plan and implement telecommunications networks to support a major Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure.

Objectives

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the components of wide area networks associated with transportation systems, and recognize the breadth and variety of their requirements.
• Describe the steps followed in backbone plant underground and aerial construction processes.
• Recall the characteristices of fiber optic networks.
• Restate the differences betweeen singlemode and multimode fiber transmission.
• Discuss the concepts of multiplexing and concentration points.
• List the properties of the three categories of wireless transmission.
• Explain the role played by the FCC in spread spectrum communications, and which type of spectrum (licensed or unlicensed) can be used for different transmission links.
• Differentiate between the characteristics of OC-3 SONET and unlicensed Ethernet.
• Discuss the functionality, communications requirements, planning considerations, and costs associated with several common ITS field applications such as TARs, traffic cameras and variable message signs.

Audience

Public-sector Transportation Professionals including US DOT engineers, planners, project managers, and field staff, FTA Regional staff, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Specialists, and others as appropriate. Transportation professionals from state, regional, and local agencies would also benefit from participation in the course.

Length

Approximately eight hours.

Prerequisites

Introduction to Telecommunications Technology course or equivalent experience.

Outline

The course outline is as follows:
(numbers in parentheses refer to pages)

1. Module Overview and Gateway (2-4)
   
2. Wide Area Communications Networks (5-13)
   1. Wide Area Communications Network Diagram
   2. Network Requirements
   3. Network Design
   4. Quiz
      
3. Cable Plant Construction (14-49)
   1. Fiber Optic Networks
   2. Aerial Construction
   3. Aerial Construction Quiz
   4. Crossword Puzzle
   5. Aerial and Underground Construction Costs
   6. Case Studies – City of San Jose and Monterey County
   7. Quiz
      
4. Network Electronics (50-68)
   1. Fiber Transmission
   2. Multiplexing at Concentration Points
   3. Case Study: Arlington County, Virginia Institutional Network
   4. Quiz
      
5. Wireless Communications (69-96)
   1. Wireless Transmission Links
   2. FCC License Requirement
   3. Wireless SONET and Unlicensed Ethernet
   4. Wireless Transmission Design and Planning
      • Site Selection
      • Path Analysis
      • Cost
      • Emergency Power Requirement
   5. Case Study: Delaware Department of Transportation Unlicensed Wireless Solutions
   6. Quiz
      
6. ITS Field Applications (97-120)
   1. Traffic Advisory Radio Systems (TARS)
   2. Traffic Cameras
   3. Variable Message Signs
   4. Case Study: Delaware Department of Transportation Enhanced TARS
   5. Quiz
      
7. Final Examination (122)