Telecommunication Systems: PBX Evolution, Comparison, and Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems, tracing their evolution from switchboards to modern IP-based solutions. The report details the architecture of PBX systems, including common control, switching matrix, trunks, and terminals. It compares and contrasts various PBX types, such as traditional, IP, hosted, and virtual PBX, focusing on their cost implications and technological features. Furthermore, the report discusses the impact of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and the integration of PBX with internet protocol. The report also includes reflections on learning approaches and the development of ideas related to the evolution of communication technologies. It concludes with plans to improve learning techniques in the context of rapid technological advancements and e-learning adoption.

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PART A.
Evolution of Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
PBX is a communication telephone system used within organizations or enterprise that
allows switching call between internal users on local lines while sharing a common external
phone line. PBX has gone through several evolutionary stages before it reach to where it at the
moment.
The first evolution stage began with the emergence of switchboard in 1960s. Switchboards
became the first PBX system after succeeding the manual calling procedure within organizations.
The main idea behind the switchboard was to share less number of phone lines to numerous
phones. Switchboard came to be a successive project and a good number of organizations
installed the switchboard system in their offices.
According to Proud et al [4] the second stage of PBX evolution came up with emergence
of automated PBX. In the year 1991, eccentric by the name Mr. Almon B. Strowger who was by
then a funeral director become irritated with the operator based Switchboard system . He claimed
the operator was so biased as he could intentional route all the calls to certain node for his selfish
interests. This become a driving force for Strowger to think of otherwise method that could make
the whole process better. He landed on the decision of making an automated switchboard. His
efforts bored fruits fourth when he automate the first switchboard that that could only manage
two lines. However other invetors chipped in the automated switchboard could now handle as
many lines as possible. Still on this second phase there again emerged the Time Division
Multiplexing (PBX) which relied on digital transmission of signal as opposed to manual
The third evolution stage of PBX came the time when internet protocol (IP)emerged.
PBX merged with IP and the first IP PBX services become available in 1997. The combined

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efforts yielded a new technological generation called Voice Over Internet Protocal
(VOIP) .Internet connection is then used to transmit voice data between computer hosted by IP
PBX providers. Today with the kind of existing high speed internet connectivity, PBX has been
added a number of advanced features that impress the users.
Comprehensive analysis of current and emerging PBX systems in terms of reliability
Today most PBX systems have the capabilities of sampling multiple incoming data and
voice while channeling these sample through a single output line to the receiving end. Timing is
used to differentiate between samples. To enable easy and faster management of connection
between end users, circuit switching is used. Most of the emerging PBX have their call
transmission over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and fiber optics or copper
cables between end users. Most of the current PBX system uses Time Division Multiplexing
(TDM) samples up multiple incoming voice and channeling them to a common interleave.
Circuit and packet switching is used to handle traffic flow of call within the organization.
Architecture of PBX systems
As denoted by RHUB Communications [8] generally PBX has four basic components
which include common control, Switching matrix, Trunk and terminals. Each of the above
named components play a key role which joins up to achieved a common objective of the whole
system. The Common Control is the central system location and its main function is to control all
the switching functions within the system. The switching Matrix on the other hand plays a role of
moving calls from their source input to their desired output in the switch. It also manages call
traffic by blocking some call while allowing others for the interest of equitable services to all.
The trunk provides a platform whereby the incoming and the outgoing communication data
exchange circuits connecting the PBXs with the IP networks, PSTN and to other switches within
the network. The Terminals are simply the telephones, the station set or the handset within the
private network Global Telecom Holding [9].

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Comparing and Contrasting different PBX system in terms of cost
1. Traditional PBX
This kind of technology uses traditional landlines as channel of making and connecting
calls. Comparing This traditional PBX to other PBX systems which relies on Voic Over
Internet Protocol (VOIP) which is cheap. However traditional PBX is more expensive as
it requires large amount of technological equipment accompanied by costly down-
payments as well as maintenance fees Percy [5].
2. IP PBX
Wei & Yi [6] IP PBX being an upgrade of traditional, They also have a large initial cost
of installing and purchasing the network but ist overall cost are less compared to the
traditional PBX. It relies on VOIP which saves on time and cost. Maintenance cost of IP
PBX is cheap. Also date is compressed to packets which takes up limited space compared
to the traditional PBX which is limited by the number of lines.
3. Hosted PBX

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Hosted PBX comes up with the new technology whereby its operated and off-site
handled by VOIP providers. Business organizations which use this kind of PBX system
enjoys the advantage of paying little amount of monthly fee for the service Carlson [7]
Hosted PBX does not require initial investment and that’s why even small business
organizations can comfortably afford the hosted PBX
4. Virtual PBX
Virtual PBX has quite similarities with the hosted PBX but the only different comes
with the cloud invention in the virtual PBX. With Virtual PBX a business can freely
make calls internally at ease. Though it has less features compared to the Hosted PBX, it
is less costly and companies which do not necessarily rely on external communication
can easily adopt the virtual PBX.
PART B
Development of my ideas and insights about the videos
Having watched the three videos carefully and vividly, a lot of questions get generated in
my mind concerning the three learning approaches. The basic concept being communicated
across the videos is to inform learners about the emergence of newly advanced technological
features in the sector of communication. In the first video the presenter concentrated majorly on
showing the overview of some of the common technological features such as PSTN without the
narrator giving explanations. The video is short to the point accompanied by cool music. The
video has got also clear view of graphics and well-articulated written data. Sulkin [2] The second
video which is a kind of classroom set up presents a lecturer who is well informed with the
technological communication knowledge. The lecturer is audible enough to reach the learners
attention. However the writings being written on the board are invisible to the learners. Also the
video has got only one scene with a common lecturer. The video is too long to some impatient

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learners. The third video is an online learning technique where the learner listens to ana invisible
lecture who displays the learning content in written. The learning scene is one and voice could
explain every data being presented.
Unit content and personal experience
With my deep understanding of learning techniques being presented in the videos. I may
conclude that each of the above learning technique is correct and suitable basing on the particular
learner. I make this remarkable conclusion basing on the fact that there exist different types of
learners who have their own way of understanding. The topic of technological advancement in
communication sector is quite an interesting subject that in whichever way can attract learner’s
attention. However the mode of teaching can vary thus affecting their level of understanding the
same content. There are those learners who would prefer the first video that only give the content
in moving clips without explanation. There are those who will prefer to the second while those
to the third video.
My own learning and self-development
According to Liu et al. [1] being an average learner I have my preferred choice of
learning. Foremost, classroom set up seem unfriendly to me. Getting used to a common lecturer
trying to explain the concept seem to be a good idea to many as it is the most common system
used in various learning institution. However research has shown that only 25% of the concept
learned in class is captured and retained by student while the rest is covered by the learners
effort from different sources. Therefore the video that show a lecturer in classroom may poses
some of such challenges. The showing moving clips seem great to many learners as it captures
the attention of learners who get interested on knowing the next move. Most learners will digest
more content with such kind of learning.
Plans to improve on identified strength and weakness
Today most of the learning institution tends to adopt the modern digitalized learning
techniques. After extensive research learning has now become more of learner’s centered as
opposed to the previous tutor centered. With reference to PR Newswire [3] Therefore plans have
to be put in place to enforce the idea of effective learning which can be greatly achieved with the
current rapid growth in technology. The new technology especially the coming up of the internet
has made the whole world to be a global village. With maximum utilization of new advanced

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technology this traditional learning which is time consuming and costly can be replaced easily
with e-learning techniques that have been portrayed in the above videos.

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References
[1] Liu, J., Bao, X., Rong, Y., Hao, G., Xiao, L., Gao, H., Li, F. ;Preparation of nano-RDX-based
PBX and its thermal decomposition properties. Journal of Thermal Analysis &
Calorimetry, 131(3) (2018)
[2] Sulkin, A. ;BX sales up, future uncertain. Business Communications Review, 29(1), 36. 2009
[3] PR Newswire. Global Hosted PBX Market, 2016-2018 & Forecast to 2024 - Rising Need to
Upgrade from the Traditional On Premise PBX Systems to Cloud-based PBX Systems. PR
Newswire US. (2019, march 20)
[4] Proud, W. G., Palmer, S. J. P., Field, J. E., Kennedy, G., & Lewis, A. AFM studies of PBX
systems. Thermochimica Acta, 384(1/2), 245. (2002)
[5] Percy, K. M., Birdsall, R. E., Poletti-Metzel, D., & Reichard, E.. BCR Best-In-Test--SME IP-
PBX Systems. Business Communications Review, 33(2), 28 (2003)
[6] Wei-Ru Lai, & Yi-Bing Lin. Resource Planning for Wireless PBX Systems. International
Journal of Wireless Information Networks, 5(4), 351–357. (2018)
[7] Carlson, C. Expanding IP PBX choices. EWeek, 19(3), (2002)
[8] RHUB Communications, I. (12AD, October 2013). RHUB Communications Extends Web
Conferencing to Connect with Users’ PBX Systems and Audio Conferencing Service Providers’
Systems. Business Wire (English).
[9] Global Telecom Holding S.A.E SWOT Analysis. Global Telecom Holding S.A.E SWOT
Analysis, 1–7 (2019)