An introduction to "ISDN" which brings the technology up-to-date, incorporating developments in "ATM", "SDH" and Broadband "ISDN". This book is suitable for self-learning communications professionals and applied courses in communications management and technology, and advanced undergraduates and graduates in computing and electronics.

The present state of development of communication technology is characterized by two features, namely the digital representation of all signals transrnitted and processed, irrespective of information type - voice, text, data or images - and the integration of systems and services, this integration only being completely possible using digital technology. The boundaries between switching and transmission are shifting, and functions are being redefined and redistributed between terminals and communication networks. Multiservice terminals - unlike telephones, teleprinters, video data terminals - are designed to handle more than one information type. Lastly, the communication network allows voice, text, data and video information to be transmitted on the same circuit; the user obtains access to this network via a non dedicated "communication socket". The essential features of this Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) have been standardized over the last eight years by experts from all over the world under the aegis of the CCITT 1), the international standardizing body of the carriers of public communication networks. All the leading network carriers are working towards ISDN implementation because of the substantial benefits it will offer to users, network carriers and manufacturers alike: Users will obtain additional and advanced services, most of them designated to cater for the growth in non-voice traffic. The ISDN subscriber access will also enable users to operate existing systems more cost-effectively than via various dedicated networks.

Planning and Architectural Design of Integrated Services Digital Networks: Civil and Military Applications provides a comprehensive treatment of ISDNs: how to plan and design them architecturally and how to implement them so that they meet certain given user requirements ranging from a variety of service demands to transmission performance, security, reliability/availability, capability for growth, interoperability with other ISDN and non-ISDN networks and, of course, cost. The book concentrates on the application of ISDN concepts and standards to the planning and design of real costed networks to meet certain specified user requirements. Where there are multiple options, considerations and rationale on the choice of network aspects and standards are discussed. The unique feature of the book, compared with other books on ISDN, is that it expounds an original methodology which starts from an assumed or given set of complete user requirements and proceeds to designing a complete network taking into account the technology and standards of ISDN, as well as some constraints including cost which may be imposed. Planning and Architectural Design of Integrated Services Digital Networks describes computer-aided design tools employed for dimensioning the network for various traffic loads and for assessing its traffic carrying performance for assessing different precedence categories and network configurations, transmission conditions and routing algorithms which may be static-deterministic or dynamic-adaptive. Aspects such as surveillance and control, security, survivability and EMP protection are also addressed. Planning and Architectural Design of Integrated Services Digital Networks: Civil and Military Applications is an excellent reference source and may be used as a text for advanced courses on the subject.