MMC Module 2

Communications Basics
Training Manual

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MMC [Module Two]

Communications Basics

TRAINING MANUAL

Table of Contents
2.1

Mobile Network Technologies ..................................................................................... 2

2.2

Historical Introduction ................................................................................................. 2

2.3

Basic communications system Elements....................................................................... 4

2.4

Radio transmission techniques .................................................................................... 5

2.5

Structure of cellular network ....................................................................................... 6

2.6

Cell phone network technologies ................................................................................. 6

2.7

SIM card...................................................................................................................... 7

2.8

IMEI ............................................................................................................................ 8

MMC [Module Two]

TRAINING MANUAL

Communications Basics

2.1 Mobile Network Technologies

As a Cell-Phone repair Engineer or technician, all we need is just to have a simple understanding
about cellphones Mobile Networks. We do not need extreme and intimate deeper meaning about
it. That's because what we are going to take around here is to fix what those various mobile
phones company created and build - to make it as simple as that - We are going to fix somewhat
if their product gets busted by the end users who bought it.
Below is just a simple basic information of what we are going to learn.

2.2 Historical Introduction

Telecommunications is the transmission of information through sounds, words, visuals from a
distance.

From ancient to modern times, mankind has been looking for means of long distance
communications (Telecommunication). For centuries, letters proofed to be the most reliable
way to transmit information.
Fire, flags, horns, etc. were used to transmit information faster.

MMC [Module Two]

TRAINING MANUAL

Communications Basics

Telegram: The first wireline communications was the telegraph, invented in the 1844 by
Alexander Graham Bell. The first telegraph message travelled 40 miles. It opened a new
era of long-distance telecommunication.

Telephone: The first successful telephone call by Bell in 1876. When we talk over the
telephone, our voice is converted to electronic signal by the microphone in the handset.
The signal is then transmitted over telephone wires.

1st Generation cellular system (1G): In 1982, the Bell telephone company introduced the
AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service) radio network, thereby deploying the first
cellular network.

MMC [Module Two]

TRAINING MANUAL

Communications Basics

2nd Generation (2G): In 1982 the Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications
(CEPT) created the Group Special Mobile (now known as GSM) and mandated the creation
of a European standard for mobile radio telecommunications in the frequency band
reserved for this purpose. This group produced the GSM standard that is widely deployed
today.

2.3 Basic communications system Elements

Communication system composed of three basic elements: Source, Transmission medium,
Destination.

Source: transmitting antenna. e.g. radio station Antenna.

MMC [Module Two]

TRAINING MANUAL

Communications Basics

Transmission Medium:

Destination: receiver node. e.g. radio.

2.4 Radio transmission techniques

Simplex: communications in one direction only.
e.g. Television, Radio

Half Duplex: two-way communication in the same channel. At any given time a user can
only transmit or receive.

MMC [Module Two]

TRAINING MANUAL

Communications Basics

Full Duplex: Simultaneous two-Way communication. Separate channels are provided for
communication to and from the terminals.

2.5 Structure of cellular network

Cellular network composed of two systems: Switching System, Base station System.

Switching system is responsible for performing call processing and subscriber related
functions.
Base station system performs all the related radio functions.

2.6 Cell phone network technologies

MMC [Module Two]

TRAINING MANUAL

Communications Basics

2.7 SIM card

The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is an electronic microchip for storing information includes
subscriber identification, charging, and security.

MMC [Module Two]

TRAINING MANUAL

Communications Basics

Types of SIM cards:

2.8 IMEI
International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a 15-Digit number that verifies the
mobile equipment is type-approved and not stolen.