Understanding Signals: Phase, Frequency, and Modulation

Signal: A sequence of voltage changes characterized by phase, amplitude, and frequency.

Phase: A measure of the relative position in time within a single period of a signal.

Amplitude: The instantaneous value of the signal at a given time.

Frequency: The number of repetitions per unit of time, measured in Hertz (Hz). It is the inverse of the period.

Hertz (Hz): Equivalent to one cycle per second.

Signal Spectrum: The range of signal values from minimum to maximum frequency.

Digital Signals: Discrete signals that take specific values.

Analog Signals: Continuous signals that can take an infinite number of values within an upper and lower bound.

Modulation: The process of changing the signal spectrum so it can be transmitted through the bandwidth of a transmission medium.

Bandwidth: The capacity of a channel to transmit a certain frequency spectrum, measured in bits per second (bps).

Multiplexing: The simultaneous transmission of multiple data streams over a single communications channel.

Modulation Techniques and Multiplexing

There are various techniques for modulating signals, including wave modulation and pulse modulation. Multiplexing involves sharing a physical channel to create multiple logical channels.

Types of Multiplexing:

  • Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM): Logical channels share a single physical channel by dividing the frequency spectrum.
  • Time Division Multiplexing (TDM): Logical channels are assigned by allocating time slots for using the physical channel among different transmitters.

ISDN Reference Points

TR1: The boundary between the public and private network, isolating the user from the subscriber loop. It typically uses an RJ45 connector for connecting to a passive bus.

TR2: Performs functions such as switching, routing, or concentration. TR1 and TR2 refer to subscriber equipment used in ISDN networks.

AT: Provides compatibility for non-ISDN equipment.

Reference Points:

  • R: The interface between non-ISDN computers and AT devices, or analog terminals.
  • S: Defines the communication between a computer and ET1 (ISDN TR2). It is a 4-wire interface.
  • T: Similar to S, representing the separation between user facilities and online processing equipment.
  • U: Interfaces with signals on the local loop.
  • V: Represents the separation between switching and transmission functions within the ISDN local exchange.

Passive Bus Configurations:

  • Short Passive Bus: Up to 200m cable with 10 rosettes, connecting up to 8 terminals.
  • Extended Passive Bus: Reaches 500m to 1000m, connecting up to 4 terminals within the last 50m.

TMA System Elements

CTM: Base stations that connect to the central fixed telephone network for establishing fixed telephone conversations. It includes a PC and a transmitter/antenna, connected to the CTM through a dedicated circuit.

EM: Mobile terminal stations.

RF Module: Handles all signals entering or leaving the mobile telephone channel, selected by the logic module.

AF Module: Converts the intermediate frequency signal from the RF module to a voice signal.

Logic Module: The base of the cellular telephone, using EPROM memory for storing information. The CPU directly controls the AF and RF modules, as well as the DTMF generator.