| Author: | Yee, Tak-chow |
| Title: | Optical communication in electricity transmission system |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 1993 |
| Subject: | Optical communications Fiber Distributed Data Interface (Computer network standard) Electric utilities -- China -- Hong Kong -- Communication systems Hong Kong Electric Co. Ltd Hong Kong Polytechnic -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Computing |
| Pages: | [vi], 180, [25] leaves ill. ; 31 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Optical communication has been highly commended by the industry and users in recent years in view of the benefits of wide bandwidth, high speed and immunity to electromagnetic interference. Many broadband applications have been realised through optical communication. Hongkong Electric, like most other electric utilities around the world, has owned and operated its private communication network for more than two decades. Yet unlike other utilities which usually depend on microwave radio links or overhead power line carrier systems to support their communication needs, Hongkong Electric has been using mainly copper cables in building the network right at the very beginning. This historical development mode has the positive contribution for the Company to switch over to optical communication with much less pain from mid 1980s onward. But this underground optical cable network, which is largely composed of multimode 50/125 um fibres, has also presented different levels of technical constraints in the direct expansion of new communication services. With the proliferation of PCs, engineering workstation and LANs from the end of the 1980s and the recent installation of new mid range DEC VAX machines to replace the obsolete IBM mainframe system, the importance of internetworking the four main computer sites of the Company has gained increasing recognition. At present, dedicated channels, mostly in the form of El (2.048 Mbps) links, have been provided for different communication services among various sites. Meanwhile, the present optical network is continuing to be expanded with an ultimate target of linking up all primary substations by end of the 1990s through establishment of a dual ring (East and West) topology. In the 1990s, the growing communication needs and the momentum to integrate the heterogeneous computing environment pose a great challenge in determining the networking direction and optimisation of the existing optical network performance. A macroscopic study has been performed to identify various potentials and problems so as to provide insights for the corporate strategic planning. Following an in depth analysis of the existing infrastructure and evaluation of communication needs, it is concluded that building a backbone with FDDI standard on the existing corporate optical network will be most promising in comparison with other more advanced MAN technologies such as ATM and DQDB. The initial capital investment on the hardware and software has been estimated to be around HK$ 10 millions. Yet FDDI is primarily developed for LAN environment and campus applications, the physical distance of up to 12 km between two computer sites in Hongkong Electric will therefore necessitate special considerations and customisation of standard products. It is also pointed out in the network optimisation process and implementation of new communication technologies to achieve higher productivity and enhanced information sharing, there will be many technical and managerial issues to be addressed. People factor will be a particular puzzle. Finally, the study shows the need to proceed with further investigation on specific areas which will have long term implications to the Company. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b11324983.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 6.65 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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