Presentation 3

TOPIC 3
SWITCHING BASICS
TOPICS COVERED FROM CHAPTER 3 OF THE REFERENCE
1. Introduction (Topic 1)
2. Introductory Switching Concepts (Topic 5)
3. Architecture of a switch
4. System control; Common control (Topic 10)
5. Stored program control (Topic 11)
6. Transmission factors in switching (Topic 14)
7. Numbering concepts for telephony (Topic 16)
SWITCHING
Switching refers to the process of establishing a path (i.e. connecting a call) from the
caller to the receiver through a series of network switches.
A telephone switch is a device that sets up and manages the connections between
telephone lines.
SWITCHING REQUIREMENTS
A commercial switching system satisfies the following user requirements:

1. Each user should be capable of communicating with any other user.
2. The connection time should be relatively small compared to holding time.
3. The grade of service, or the probability of completion of a call should be high
enough (equivalent to the blocking probability of 0.01).
4. The conversation privacy must be maintained.
5. 5. The system should be available on demand.
INTRODUCTORY SWITCHING CONCEPT
Three different call possibilities of a typical subscriber served by the exchange in the
local exchange (switch) are: discussion.
1. A call originated by a subscriber who is
served by the exchange and bound for a
subscriber who is served by the same
exchange.
served by the exchange and bound for a
subscriber who is served by another
exchange.
served by another exchange and bound for a
GENERAL ARCHITECTURE OF A SWITCHING NODE
These advanced switching systems usually comprise

four major blocks.
Connection / Interface Unit: It performs the job of
providing interface between subscribers and the
switching networks. Converts and or conveys speech
& signaling signals according to the requirement of
the switching fabric and the subscribers. It also
synchronizes frames, extracts signaling information
and passes it to the control unit, and prepares signals
for transmission through the switching fabric. It also
concentrates/reduces the number of switching paths
according to the switching port capacity of the
switching fabric.
Maintenance Unit
ELEMENTS OF A SWITCHING NODE
Switching Matrix: It is the largest sub-system in size comprising many electronic

switch matrices performing routing of call from one interface unit to another. A speech-
path connection proceeding through a switch is made by cross-points. Binary devices
in logic circuits, like gates and flip-flops, were used in different parts of switching
systems for controlling and also for switching. First electronic switching systems used
reed relays to switch analog signals from inputs to outputs (they are also referred to as
semi-electronic switching systems).
With the electronic switch (digital switch),
the cross-points were solid state (transistors).
ICs and electronic memories enabled to move
from analog switching to digital switching.
Large number of cross-points are prohibited

In a single stage switching matrix.
It is both economical and efficient to use a
multiple stage grid circuits the characteristics
are such that with specified input and output
terminals, various sets of linkage path exist
that can make connection between terminals.
Control unit: It is basically an electronic controller in the form of microprocessor, microcontroller,
microcomputer or advance computer that monitors and controls the functions of the exchange.
The main functions of the control unit are
• Attending call: This includes monitoring of subscriber lines through connecting unit to detect new calls,
sending alerting tones and receiving and transmitting the dialed digits
• Making and Breaking the call: Issues the instruction to switching networks for connecting the calling
subscriber to the called subscriber and disconnecting it after call completion
• Supervising: This covers identification of type of subscriber; detection of error condition; confirming the
fault and determining its location. It also performs busy testing
Maintenance unit:
It performs the important functions of monitoring the working of all the units, handling the subscribers
accounts; counting the number of metered charges; registering the duration of each call and charging it as
per the type of the call i.e. Local, NWD & ISD and generating the bills and managing configuration
COMMON CONTROL SYSTEM
The basic function of a switch’s control system is to establish an appropriate speech path
through the switch matrix. To carry out his function, the control system must know the calling
and called ports on the matrix and be able to find a free path between them. Providing a
means of control of the interconnecting switch network, first identifying the input and
output terminals of the network that are free and then establishing a path between them
is defined as common control. It is implemented with the help of
Marker: It is the marker, with terminal points identified, that locates a path, busy-tests it, and
finally sets up a channel through the switch grid network.
Register:
Translator:
A switch is digital in nature, as it works with discrete values. Most of the control circuitry, such
as the marker, works in a binary mode.
STORED PROGRAM CONTROL
Mostly, the control unit operates on the principle of Stored Program Control, commonly
termed as SPC. In 1965, Bell system installed the first computer controlled switching system
which uses a stored program digital computer for its control functions.
In this scheme, all the switching procedures to set up a call are already stored in the memory
files known as program modules. The processor handling the call accesses this program and
executes it.
The SPC provides significant advantages to end users. The SPC concepts permits the features
like abbreviated dialing, call forwarding, call waiting etc. The SPC enables easier number
changes, automated call tracing message unit accounting (for billing) etc.
STORED PROGRAM CONTROL
Although many present day exchange design continue to use centralized SPC, with advent of
low cost powerful microprocessors and VLSI chips such as programmable logic array (PLA)
and programmable logic controllers (PLC), distributed SPC became widespread by the early
21st century.
What are the differences between common control and stored program control?
NUMBERING CONCEPT FOR TELEPHONY
Numbering Plan: The global rules for the highest-level numbering, country codes, and overall
numbering (maximum length and so on) are given by ITU-T. The national telecommunications
authority coordinates the national numbering plan. It defines, for example, trunk or area codes
and operator prefixes used inside the country. At the regional level, the numbering plan
includes digits allocated to certain switching offices, exchanges, and the subscriber numbers for
subscribers connected to a certain switch. CCITT recommendation E.164 specifies the structure
of international telephone numbers and it is presented in the figure.
NUMBERING CONCEPT FOR TELEPHONY
International Prefix: An international prefix or international access number is used for international
calls. It tells the network that the connection is to be routed via an international telephone exchange to
another country. For example, all countries of Asia, Europe, Middle East, South America use 00;
Australia uses 0011; Japan uses 010
Country Code:
Trunk Prefix:
Trunk Code:
Subscriber Number:0
Numbering Area:

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TOPIC 3

A commercial switching system satisfies the following user requirements:

These advanced switching systems usually comprise

Switching Matrix: It is the largest sub-system in size comprising many electronic

Large number of cross-points are prohibited

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