Grade # 9 Ch # 17 Telecommunication

Telecommunication: Definition
Telecommunications, also known as telecom, is the exchange of information over significant distances by electronic
means and refers to all types of voice, data and video transmission.

Types of telecommunications networks

The simplest form of telecommunications takes place between two stations, but it is common for multiple transmitting
and receiving stations to exchange data among themselves. Such an arrangement is called a
telecommunications network

• Computer network and internet

• Radio
• Telephones – including mobile (cellular) Telephones and facsimiles
• Television – including satellite television, cable television and terrestrial television (BBC 1, BBC 2)

Every telecommunication system use satellites to send and receive data. Some satellites are used for sending and
receive telephone calls, television, computer data and etc, while other are dedicated to certain task such as helping with
weather forecasting and scientific research.

Every satellite communicate with the help of ground based station amplifies them and then retransmit them on a
different frequency to another ground based station.

What are the different components of telecommunication system and how it work

A telecommunication system is an arrangement of computing and telecommunication resources for communication of

information between distance locations

Figure 1
Basic Elements of a Telecommunication System
Transmitter: Converts information into the signal.

Transmission medium also called the "Physical channel": The transmission medium carries the signal from transmitting
to the receiving station.

Receiver: Takes a signal from the channel and converts it back to usable information.
Most modern-day telecommunications systems are best described in terms of a network. This includes the basic
elements listed above but also the infrastructure and controls needed to support the system.

Listed below are six major components to a telecommunications network:

1. Input and output devices referred to as 'Terminals': These terminals provide the starting and stopping points of all
communication. A telephone is an example of a terminal. In computer networks, these devices are commonly referred
to as 'nodes' and consist of computer and peripheral devices.
2. Telecommunication Channels: The channels are responsible for transmitting and receiving data. These can be various
types of cables and wireless radio frequencies.
3. Telecommunication Processors: These provide a number of control and support functions like converting data from
analog to digital form and back.
4. Control software: The control software controls the functionality and activities of the network.
5. Messages: These represent the actual data being transmitted through channels. In the case of a telephone network,
messages consist of audio as well as data.
6. Protocols: Various types of protocols determine how each type of telecommunication system handles the messages.
For example, GSM and 3G are protocols for mobile phone communications and TCP/IP is a protocol used for
communication over the Internet.

As describe in Figure 1 every commination is divided in two parts Transmitter and Receiver having different steps

At the transmitter side the following steps are taken to send the data
1- Analog to digital conversion
Analog-to-digital conversion is an electronic process in which a continuously variable (analog) signal is changed,
without altering its essential content, into a multi-level (digital) signal
2- Encoding
Encoding is a process that converts the data stream into a form that is more resistant to the degradation
introduced by the communication channel.
3- Modulation
Modulation, in electronics, technique for impressing information (voice, music, picture, or data) on a radio-
frequency carrier wave by varying one or more characteristics of the wave in accordance with the intelligence
signal
4- Multiplexing
Multiplexing (or muxing) is a way of sending multiple signals or streams of information over a communications
link at the same time in the form of a single,
5- Multiple access
Multiple Access is the use of multiplexing techniques to provide communication service to multiple users over a
single channel.
While at the receiver side the following steps are taken
1- Multiple access
Multiple Access is the use of multiplexing techniques to provide communication service to multiple users over a
single channel.
2- De-multiplexing
De-multiplexing is a term relative to multiplexing. It is the reverse of the multiplexing process. De-multiplex is a
process reconverting a signal containing multiple analog or digital signal streams back into the original separate
and unrelated signals.
3- Demodulation
The conversion of analog signal to the back to the digital form is called demodulating
4- Decoding
The decoding of a message is how an audience member is able to understand, and interpret the message. It is a
process of interpretation and translation of coded information into a comprehensible form
5- Digital to analog conversion
Digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), Process by which digital signals (which have a binary state)
are converted to analog signals

What is TCP/IP
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is a set of standardized rules that allow
computers to communicate on a network such as the internet.

TCP and IP are two separate computer network protocols

IP is the part that obtains the address to which data is sent. TCP is responsible for data delivery once that IP address has
been found.

A TCP/IP Model is based on four layer model

TCP/IP is a datalink protocol that is used on the internet. Its model is split into four distinct layers. Used together, they
can also be referred to as a suite of protocols.
1- Datalink layer
The datalink layer (also called the link layer, network interface layer, or physical layer) is what handles the physical parts
of sending and receiving data using the Ethernet cable, wireless network, network interface card, device driver in the
computer, and so on.
2- Internet layer
The internet layer (also called the network layer) controls the movement of packets around the network.
3- Transport layer
The transport layer is what provides a reliable data connection between two devices. It divides the data in packets,
acknowledges the packets that it has received from the other device, and makes sure that the other device
acknowledges the packets it receives.
4- Application layer
The application layer is the group of applications that require network communication. This is what the user typically
interacts with, such as email and messaging. Because the lower layers handle the details of communication, the
applications don’t need to concern themselves with this.

Local area network (LAN): is a privately owned network that interconnects processors, usually microcomputers, within a
building or on a campus site that includes several buildings.
Characteristics of a LAN:
a. LANs are the principal tool of workgroup computing
b. LANs ensure high-speed communication within a limited area and enables the users to share facilities (peripherals)
connected to it.
c. Usually include a large-capacity, secondary storage device, where database and applications software are maintained,
managed by a microcomputer acting as a file server that delivers data or program files to other computers.
d. Facilities (peripherals) may include jukebox optical memory and fast printers
e. Frequently, one of the facilities (peripherals) in a LAN is the gateway hardware and software that give the network
users access to other networks.
f. More group members may connect to the network from remote sites using wireless telecommunications.
g. Links and equipment of LANs are owned by the user company, and these networks are generally much faster than
WANs.
h. LANs are generally composed of a network of microcomputers

Wide area network (WAN): is a telecommunications network that covers a large geographical area.
Characteristics of a WAN:
a. The information system of an entire organization may be structured as a hierarchy. The WANs system architecture
looks very much like an organization chart.
b. WANs connect all the divisional minicomputers to the headquarters mainframe with a variety of local microcomputers
and terminals located at remote sites connected, in turn, to the minicomputers.
c. WANs provide the backbone through which all other nodes (computers and terminals) communicate.
d. WANs often use telecommunication links and equipment provided by specialized vendors, called common carriers.
e. WANs serve to interconnect multiple LANs and can make specific resources available to a large number of
workstations.

Intranets
Using the Internet, many firms have implemented internal networks of Web sites, known as intranets. Intranets are set
up on corporate LANs and WANs. An Intranet is separated from the public Internet by a facility called firewall. The
firewall program runs on the server computer, preventing access to the Intranet from the public Internet, but allowing
access to the Internet. Intranet is, in effect, the owner company's private Internet.
Intranets have become important business tools for:
1. Sharing information and knowledge among a company's employees
2. Accessing databases and data warehouses
3. Organizing the corporate workflow around electronic documents
4. Enabling collaboration

Extranet
An Extranet is a private networl designed specifically to allow individuals (Clients, Vendors, Suppliers, Partner etc) to
communicate with you and your employees in a closed virtual space

There are many reasons why it might be beneficial for your business to implement an extranet.
1. Streamlines repetitive business processes.
Let's say you order from a particular vendor on a regular basis using email or phone as a conduit. With a well-
designed extranet, all of your ordering can take place via your secured private network in a virtual space.
Interactions with vendors occur in real-time, and you can store invoices, along with other pertinent information,
in one place
2. Increases customer satisfaction.
One of the key benefits of an extranet is the accessibility 24/7 for you and your clients to work together. Clients
and customers can upload documents, ask questions, or approve designs/concepts around the clock, thus
breaking down the barriers often caused by rigid work schedules.
3. Highly secure

EDI
EDI stands for (Electronic Data Interchange) is a computer to computer exchange, between two companies, of standard
business documents in an electronic standardized format.
Advantages of EDI
• EDI reduces costs and improves operational performance across your business.
• EDI accelerates data flow, enhances accuracy and streamlines administration
• EDI makes it easier to manage inventory and reduce associated costs
Encryption
Encryption is a process that encodes a message or file so that it can be only be read by certain people. Encryption uses
an algorithm to scramble, or encrypt, data and then uses a key for the receiving party to unscramble, or decrypt, the
information. The message contained in an encrypted message is referred to as plaintext. In its encrypted, unreadable
form it is referred to as ciphertext.

E-Commerce
E-Commerce or Electronic Commerce means buying and selling of goods, products, or services over the internet. E-
commerce is also known as electronic commerce or internet commerce. These services provided online over the
internet network.
Types of E-Commerce Models
Electronic commerce can be classified into four main categories. The basis for this simple classification is the parties that
are involved in the transactions. So the four basic electronic commerce models are as follows,

1. Business to Business
This is Business to Business transactions. Here the companies are doing business with each other. The final consumer is
not involved. So the online transactions only involve the manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers etc.
2. Business to Consumer
Business to Consumer. Here the company will sell their goods and/or services directly to the consumer. The consumer
can browse their websites and look at products, pictures, read reviews. Then they place their order and the company
ships the goods directly to them. Popular examples are Amazon, Flipkart etc.

3. Consumer to Consumer
Consumer to consumer, where the consumers are in direct contact with each other. No company is involved. It helps
people sell their personal goods and assets directly to an interested party. Usually, goods traded are cars, bikes,
electronics etc. OLX etc follow this model.
4. Consumer to Business
This is the reverse of B2C, it is a consumer to business. So the consumer provides a good or some service to
the company. Say for example an IT freelancer who demos and sells his software to a company. This would be a C2B
transaction.

Advantages of E-Commerce
• E-commerce provides the sellers with a global reach. They remove the barrier of place (geography). Now sellers
and buyers can meet in the virtual world, without the hindrance of location.
• Electronic commerce will substantially lower the transaction cost. It eliminates many fixed costs of maintaining
brick and mortar shops. This allows the companies to enjoy a much higher margin of profit.
• It provides quick delivery of goods with very little effort on part of the customer. Customer
complaints are also addressed quickly. It also saves time, energy and effort for both the consumers and the
company.
• One other great advantage is the convenience it offers. A customer can shop 24×7. The website is functional at
all times, it does not have working hours like a shop.
• Electronic commerce also allows the customer and the business to be in touch directly, without any
intermediaries. This allows for quick communication and transactions. It also gives a valuable personal touch.

Disadvantages of E-Commerce
• The start-up costs of the e-commerce portal are very high. The setup of the hardware and the software, the
training cost of employees, the constant maintenance and upkeep are all quite expensive.
• Although it may seem like a sure thing, the e-commerce industry has a high risk of failure. Many companies
riding the dot-com wave of the 2000s have failed miserably. The high risk of failure remains even today.
• At times, e-commerce can feel impersonal. So it lacks the warmth of an interpersonal relationship which is
important for many brands and products. This lack of a personal touch can be a disadvantage for many types of
services and products like interior designing or the jewelry business.
• Security is another area of concern. Only recently, we have witnessed many security breaches where the
information of the customers was stolen. Credit card theft, identity theft etc. remain big concerns with the
customers.
• Then there are also fulfillment problems. Even after the order is placed there can be problems with shipping,
delivery, mix-ups etc. This leaves the customers unhappy and dissatisfied.