The publisher has developed a number of online courses that together provide an ideal study programme for those joining the telecommunications industry in a technical role. The PTT Level 3 Award in Principles of Telecommunications programme also forms a solid foundation for more advanced telecoms studies. This study programme leads to a qualification without the need to attend a training centre or college. The study programme begins by introducing the fundamental principles of telecoms technology and then provides an overview of the facilities and capabilities of modern telecommunications systems. The topics you then study in this programme depends on your chosen specialisation. You can choose from one of three: 1. Data communications, 2. Telephony, 3. Mobile communications
What you achieve: After successful completion of the study programme and the associated examinations, participants are awarded a certificate of achievement by NCFE. NCFE is recognised as an Awarding Organisation by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What you need before beginning this programme: Although not obligatory, the study of Physics secondary (high) school level will aid your understanding of the principles covered in the study programme.
What you are provided with to obtain your Award:
1. Online study guide which summaries the topics covered by each course and gives guidance about studying the courses and attempting the assessments.
2. Licence to access eight courses online for a period of 12 months. Once a course has been studied it can be revisited at any time for revision and reference during the 12 month licence period. Summaries of the topics covered by a course can be printed out for personal reference.
3. Online assessments: The award of a certificate by NCFE depends on the successful completion of two online multiple-choice examinations.
4. Online access to your tutor who will respond to a question within two working days.
5. Your personal online study area allows you to monitor your progress through the study programme, send messages to your tutor and access the study guide and courses.
Course Content
The Core unit (1) "Fundamental principles of digital communications" which is studied by everyone consists of the following courses:
Analogue and digital signals
Introduces the characteristics of the signals used in communications systems and the effect of passive circuits and transmission lines on those signals.
Signal impairments
Introduces the causes of signal impairments and their effect on the transmission of information over telecommunications and data links.
Transmission fundamentals
Describes the characteristics, capabilities and applications of copper, optical fibre and wireless transmission media and explains the techniques used to maximise the traffic carrying capacity of those media.
Data communications principles
Explains the fundamental principles of data communications and describes the role of the basic functional components of data links and the protocols that define their operation.
Telecoms networks and services
Provides an overview of the role, structure and capabilities of modern telecommunications networks, the regulatory and commercial aspects of service provision, and the facilities of telecommunication services offered to residential and business customers.
Media encoding
Provides an introduction to the role and principles of the encoding and compression of speech, music and video in a digital communications system.
Specialisation courses
Choose from one of the three following specialisations:
Unit 2 "Principles, characteristics and applications of data communications" has two courses:
Introduction to Wide Area Networks
Introduces the principles of operation, capabilities and features of various types of Wide Area Network and describes the requirements of different types of traffic and how these can be met.
IP networks
Describes the principles of operation of networks based on the use of the Internet Protocol (IP) and the structure and operation of the Internet. Topics covered include the use of IP, IP addressing, UDP, TCP, port numbers and the role of routers and route discovery protocols.
Unit 3 "Principles and operation of telephone networks" has two courses:
Telephony systems
Provides an introduction to the principles and operation of circuit-switched telephony as used in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Fundamental issues that are also relevant to Voice over IP services are discussed.
Voice over IP
Provides an introduction to the principles and operation of telephony services that operate over Internet Protocol (IP) networks and includes detailed treatment of SIP and H.323.
Unit 4 "Principles and operation of mobile communications systems" has two courses:
Introduction to mobile systems
Introduces concepts which are used in most types of mobile systems, like handover and roaming, and cellular traffic handling. The course also reviews the various generations and types of mobile system.
Mobile radio communications
Describes the communications between a mobile user's equipment and the fixed infrastructure provided by the mobile operator.
