REPORT: INTERNSHIP AT SCO

July-Aug 2010

ABUBAKAR SIDDIQUE
MCS - NUST

SCO Internship Report

Introduction to SCO Week 1:

INTELLIGENT NETWORK (IN)
IN services gives additive facilities over the existing telecom network by providing following value added services: Prepaid services 0800 / 0900 Calls etc. Premium VPN Calling Cards Utility bill payment Tele-voting Home country direct SCO IN network has the following network:

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SCO Internship Report

Week 2:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)
In the 2nd week, we were given information about IT and its importance in an organization. A team of good IT professionals is vital for the survival of an organization in this age of IT. Good and dedicated IT professionals produce good end results and provide an edge over the competing organizations. SCO provided internet and data communications to its users in AJ&K and Gilgit Baltistan using a network of routers established across the whole Northern Areas and the above mentioned places. Its routers are IP / MPLS configured which is a leading technology nowadays. SCO utilizes Cisco routers which are configured in three layers as defined by Cisco: Core, Distributive and Access. 6 core routers are laid in 6 cities with all connected to 6 distribution routers and the rest access routers are connected to the distribution router and provide data communication e.g. internet and networking. To add security to the routers and the SCO network, multiple preventive measures are taken. Firewalls are added at routers which prevent unauthorized access. Intrusion detection and intrusion prevention system are used in accordance with the firewall. To overall maintain and monitor the system, a security operation center (SOC) is used. IT professionals are also responsible for developing business intelligence (BI) software. BI helps the executives of the organization to review the status of operation of their organization in a summarized and user friendly interface. This interface is called the dashboard. In BI environment, data warehouses are required which are manufactured by different companies such as IBM, Oracle and ZTE etc. The BI software used by SCO is provided by ZTE. SCO is also an internet service provider (ISP) to its users. It provides DSL and dialup connectivity to its users through its network of routers. To provide dialup connection, a remote access server (RAS) is connected to the router of the area where dialup connection is required and the phone line is connected to the RAS. The RAS provides authentication and connects to the internet. To provide DSL services, a DSLAM is connected to the router which multiplexes the voice and the data in the phone line and the user phone line is connected to the DSLAM.

Week 3:
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SCO Internship Report

INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY AND SATELLITE EARTH STATION (IGWE & SES)

FLOWCHART of IGWE

Introduction: IGWE & SES

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SCO Internship Report

An international gateway and an associated exchange is required i.e. IGWE for providing international voice communication to users. For establishing international communication, an international connectivity is established using a gateway which is mostly established using satellite communication links; thus having the need of a satellite earth station (SES). SCO is the sole provider of international voice communication to the users of Northern Areas and AJK with the help of its IGWE. The flow chart of the IGWE and SES is given in the above shown figure.

Explanation of Flow Chart

Transit Exchanges These are installed in each city. They collect the international calls and forward it to DDF which is located in gateway. E1 E1 is a European telecommunications standard in which one frame of duration 125 us consisting of 32 channels is used to carry voice of the users. Of the 32 channels, one is used for synchronization/frame alignment and one is used for signaling; while each of the rest 30 channels are allotted to 30 users. Synchronous Transfer Module (STM) STM is a method of communication in which STM frames are used. There are many types of STM frames. Following are their capacities of data rates: Type of STM STM-0 STM-1 STM-4 STM-16 STM-64 STM-256 Digital Distribution Frame (DDF) DDF collects calls from the transit exchanges, i.e. it terminates the cables coming from transit exchanges and then forwards the calls to the exchange ZXJ 10. It consists of a National side where the terminating ends of transit exchanges are located and the international side which is further connected to DCME for compression.
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Rate 51.84 Mbps 155.52 Mbps 466.56 Mbps 2488.32 Mbps 9953.280 Mbps 40 Gbps

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ZXJ10 Switch (Exchange) ZXJ 10 is a switch which is manufactured by ZTE. It can be configured to be used as any kind of exchange, be it a tandem, or end office etc. In the SCO gateway, it is used to route calls from national side to international side. Digital Circuit/Compression Multiplication Equipment (DCME) To reduce cost, compression is required. SO DCME is used for compressing the data from the E1s. DCMEs in the SCO IGWE are configured to perform 14:1 and 4:1 compression. Antenna Control Unit To have effective communication, it is imperative that the earth antenna is aligned with the geostationary satellite Intelsat. For this purpose, SCO has a control system and an antenna tracking system. The tracking system is called the antenna control unit (ACU). It aligns the antenna with the transponder at the satellite. Using the azimuthal and vertical directions, the antenna aligns itself by moving its horizontal and vertical motors. Modem Modem is used for the conversion of TDM to FDM or vice versa i.e. it multiplexes and demultiplexes. Solid State Power Amplifier System (SSPAS) SSPAS is an amplifier which is used for the amplification of the signal after its up-conversion. This is needed since the signal has to travel from the dish antenna to the satellite which is a lot of distance. Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) LNA is an amplifier which is used for the detection and amplification of the incoming signal. It also reduces the noise. It is used for the detection of very low power signal. Parabolic Dish Since the signal has to travel a lot of distance from the antenna to the satellite, so an antenna is required which is a high gain. So a parabolic dish antenna is used due to its nature of high gain. The antenna size is 16.4m in diameter and is operating at 62 E. Transmitting frequency is 6 GHz and receiving frequency is 4GHz, which lie in C-bands. Satellite Communication SCO uses satellite communication for providing international communication to its users. For this purpose, it has a dedicated link with the Intelsat which further communicates with the country for which the call is destined. SCO uses C band for this communication. Following are the frequency bands that are used in satellite communication:
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SCO Internship Report

Frequency Band C-band Ku-band Ka-band

Rx 3,700-4,200 MHz 11.7-12.2 GHz 17.7-21.2 GHz

Tx 5,925-6,425 MHz 14.0-14.5 GHz 27.5-31.0 GHz

Power For the survival and sustenance of any electronic system, power is the base. If there is no power, not even a transistor can work. So, there should be ample importance and attention given to the provision of power. At the SCO IGWE, there are three sources of power: WAPDA: It is the nationwide government electricity provider. UPS: UPS is an abbreviation for Uninterrupted Power Supply. When electricity breaks down, the devices working on electricity will not stop working rather they will switch on the UPS which runs on batteries. At the IGWE, two UPSs of 60 kVA are installed. When electricity from WAPDA resumes, the batteries of the UPSs are recharged. Generator: This is an electricity producing machine which uses fuel i.e. diesel, petrol etc. for the production of electricity.

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SCO Internship Report

Week 4:
CDMA , MEDIA, & MARKETING
CDMA
SCO also provides CDMA connectivity to its users in limited areas. CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. One of the basic concepts in data communication is the idea of allowing several transmitters to send information simultaneously over a single communication channel. This allows several users to share a bandwidth of different frequencies. This concept is called multiplexing. CDMA employs spread-spectrum technology and a special coding scheme (where each transmitter is assigned a code) to allow multiple users to be multiplexed over the same physical channel.

Media
SCO provides communication through many media. These include Microwave, Optical fiber and satellite communication. SCO has the biggest Microwave network in the whole world laid all across Northern Areas and AJ&K. The SCO M/W network is shown in the following figure:
SCO
40 Gupis

MW
40 50

NW
Chator Khand Thingdas 30

30 Hyderabad Mechier 30

(AJK & NAs)

50 Aliabad 40 Karimabad

Ishkoman 20 (Dalti) Jandoli 20

Total Links Total Sites

133 133

EXCH

Gakuch
Gulapur

25

50 BTS 30 Sikandarabad

40

Hunzal Jotal Bala 40 30

S BT Danyore 50 nsit Tra

40

Tower Heights 70 60 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 07

Jutial 30 Sonikot Khandiah 20 20 Angur Nala Dassu 20 Shutial 20 35

50
GILGIT
10 Konadas

40

= = = = = = = = = = = =

02 01 14 02 16 10 51 01 22 02 07 02

Alam Bridge 20 Jaglote

(Exch)

Gamba

30

Oshkandas

Shigar
50 50 Radio Cly 40 Alochoi 30 40 30

20 Thoril Hill 50 35 Ginni Hill 20

Chilas

35 Jaglote (BTS) Hattupir Astore 30 Shaheed Gali 20 30 D/Top

50

40 Patuwal

20

Tial Hill

SAKARDU

Lumsa

Shumalgul

Kamarsar

20

30

Naran

Ghan Chhattar

30 30

CMH 30

New MZD 30

Patika 30

Pir Chanasi

Derai Hill

35

15

Shingri

Nalochi 10

30 Muzaffar Abad
50 DhirKot 30 20

Mansehra

35

30

Garhi Dopatta
30 Chikar

Thandiani
Abbotabad (PTCL)

Dana Top

60

Maloot Khad Bazar 30

10

Dana Kachali

Total = 130
SS GS

30
BAGH 15 30 Ghaziabad

`Rangla Huller 07 Syedian B.A.Pur 30

= 110 = 20

Murree

Jhika 20 Gala

Rera
40

45
30

On Roof=03 Reflector=03
Chitra Topi Birpani 40 30

F/Kahuta 10 20 Chirala

TOPA

Datoot

30 Harigal 30 Paniola

30

Lasdana

Charaan

50

NARH
Thorar

30
20

30

Rawlakot

Chak 35 Chhota Gala Dhamni 20 20

Topa(Soun)
Mong 30 30 Niarian Sharif

30
20

20

Dhardarch
30

30 30 Junjal Hill
Agaar 20 35

B. Khurd

10 Hajeera

Plandri Rwp Misrial Rwp S/Tn

Baloch
Azad Patan 20 30 50

30

10

(PTCL)

Naar-II

Tatta Pani Charohi

20 40

Nakial
Khui Ratta 30 30

Sarsawa HQ SCO

20

KOTLI

Unit Wise MW Sites - CSB

SITES

Pir Lasura

Self Supported Guy Supported On Roof (S.S.) Reflector Tower Height (M)
Name of MW Link Evo Sr-1 NL 292 Terrester STM 1 Evo Sr-2 STM O Evo Sr-3 NL 242 SAF 16 SRAL-16 SAF 8 SRAL-8 NL 181 CTR210 TOTAL 13 Link Colour
Link Capacity (E1s) No. of Links

20 50 40 Pir Sensa Tarala Khattar Makaal Tharochi Dilawar 30 10 Pray Valley 40 30 20

Total E1s (Ports)

70

30

Tanyot

Chornaar
SAROTA-II

Dhudial-II Dhudial-I
Khadim Abad

30

Chakswari
30 30 Pir Gali 40

30 Nangi 30

75 64 63 63 40 21 20 16 16 16 08 08 04 08 13

05 07 01 18 03 23 37 12 00 03 05 05 13 04 133

375 448 63 1134 120 483 740 192 000 48 40 40 52 32 3647

35

Islam Garh

61 62 63 64 65

41 11 38 36 07

Kadali

45 MPR F-3 15 Thothal

70
30 Samani

Towers per Site Mirpur Bhimber Dudyal Muzaffarabad 05 02 02 03

MIRPUR
Mangla
50

40
Bimbar-II 20 7 Ind Est 30

Jhelum (PTCL)

MPR 30 B-4 Jatlan

30 Bimbar-I

35 Barnala

Media Branch HQ SCO. (December 2008)

M/W communication requires line of sight between the M/W towers and the average distance between the towers is 30 to 39 km depending upon the terrain.
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SCO Internship Report

Marketing
For the good sales of a product, an efficient marketing is required. A product needs marketing only if there human needs for that product in an area. Since there is a need for communication in Northern areas, AJ&K and Gilgit-Baltistan, SCO has fulfilled the requirements of people through marketing their products. The products provided by SCO are: PSTN Landline Internet dial up and DSL CSMA & WLL SCOM (Mobile Communication - GSM) Digital Cross Connection (DXX) Calling cards A customers needs should be satisfied by the products fully and up to mark. The products should fulfill the promises made by the organization producing the product. For efficient marketing, a SWOT analysis (Strength Weakness Objectives Threats) is required. This tells how much marketing of a product is required.

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