Dynamic simulation model of a local switching network

• Main Author: Tarrant, Donald R.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Memorial University of Newfoundland 1982
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://research.library.mun.ca/7634/; https://research.library.mun.ca/7634/1/Tarrant_DonaldR.pdf; https://research.library.mun.ca/7634/3/Tarrant_DonaldR.pdf

The North American telecommunications system is a vast network with thousands of switching nodes. The main function of the telecommunications network is to interconnect all of these nodes, as well as the telephone subscriber, with one another. The optimization of the equipment configurations to achieve these interconnections in the most economical manner presents an ideal opportunity for the application of simulation techniques. -- The vast majority of switching centres in Newfoundland and the rest of North America employ analog technology. Most of these switches are vintage equipment and do not have the service, feature and maintenance capabilities of the newer-generation digital switches. It is generally agreed among telecommunications engineers that converting to digital will have long-term benefits. The planning problem has therefore become one of how to convert from analog to digital technology with a minimum of disruption of service and a minimum of cost. -- The introduction of digital technology into communications has compounded the network planning problem because of the distributed nature of digital communications as well as the large amount of capital required for digital conversion. -- This report uses system dynamics techniques to examine the planning aspects of the local telecommunication network. A model was developed which was capable of simulating up to seven local central offices. This model utilizes present worth of annual charges (PWAC) as the evaluator to assess a number of simulations for different planning configurations and arrives at the optimum plan for local network evolution. The Bay Roberts/Carbonear area in Newfoundland was investigated for the purposes of this study. The study demonstrates that system dynamics is a valuable technique for the analysis of telecommunications networks.