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Electronics and Telecommunications


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Overview
The work
Job profile
Requirement
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Overview


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You wouldn't be reading this page if it weren't for electronics and telecommunications.

Today, particularly in view of the Internet and its staggering effect on life, life would be impossible without these two industries.

Electronics is the study, application and control of the flow of electrical current. Fluids, gases, semi-conductors, vacuum, semi or super conducting materials are electrical conductors.

From computer chips that process millions of instructions every second to radar systems that detect weather patterns days in advance, Electronics engineers are responsible for a wide range of technologies.

These engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacture of electronic equipment. Some of this equipment includes power generating, controlling, and transmission devices used by electric utilities, electric motors, machinery controls, lighting, and wiring in buildings, automobiles and aircraft and in radar and navigation systems computer and office equipment and broadcast and communications systems.

Changes in technology and government regulation continue to transform the telecommunications industry. Whereas voice telephone communication was once the primary service of the industry, the transmission of a variety of materials, including data, graphics, and video is now commonplace.

The widespread installation of fiber optic cables, which transmit light signals along glass strands, permits faster, higher capacity transmissions than traditional copper wirelines.

In addition, networks of radio towers and satellites are rapidly expanding wireless telecommunications services.

Telecommunications is a vital and fast-growing industry. From voice-processing equipment, touchtone telephones, cellular technology, wireless technology, microwave and satellite communication systems, to the linking of computers and telephone lines, advancement has been astounding.

Changes in government regulation have introduced competition into an industry that was once dominated by a few big players. Competition from outside the industry will increase as cable companies and public utilities enter the telecommunications market.

The principal sector of the telecommunications industry is telephone communications, establishments in this sector operate both wireline and wireless networks. Wireline networks use wires and cables to connect customers’ premises to central offices maintained by telecommunications companies.

Central offices contain switching equipment that routes content to its final destination or to another switching centre. For example, switching equipment may route local phone calls directly from the central office to their final destination; long distance calls are routed to larger switching centres that determine the most efficient route for the call to take.

Wireless networks are rapidly expanding, they operate through the transmission of signals over networks of radio towers and communications satellites. For example, a wireless cellular telephone transmits radio signals to an antenna located on a radio tower; the signal is then transmitted through the antenna into the wireline network. Other wireless services include beeper, paging, and satellite telephone services. Because these devices require no wireline connection, they are popular with customers who need to communicate as they travel, residents of areas with inadequate wireline service, and those who simply desire the convenience of portable communications.

The wireline and wireless sectors also include resellers of telecommunications services. These resellers lease transmission facilities, such as telephone wirelines, from existing telecommunications networks, and then resell the service to other customers.

Other sectors in the industry include message communications services such as e-mail and facsimile services and operators of other communication services ranging from radar stations to radio networks used by policemen.

Voice telephone communications have long been the predominant service offered by telephone companies. With the rising popularity of the Internet, however, customers increasingly use their telephone service to transmit data and other electronic materials. The transmission of such content relies on digital technologies that use telecommunications networks more efficiently than conventional systems.

Digital signals consist of separate pieces of electronic code that can be broken apart during transmission and then reassembled at the destination without losing clarity.

Telecommunications providers have built networks of computerised switching equipment, called 'Packet-switched Networks', to route digital signals. Packet switches break the signals into small segments or 'packets' and provide each with the necessary routing information.

Segments may take separate paths to their destination and may share the paths with transmissions from other users. At the destination, the segments are reassembled and the transmission is complete. Because packet-switching considers alternate routes, and allows multiple transmissions to share the same route, it results in a more efficient use of telecommunications capacity.

The transmission of analog voice signals requires relatively small amounts of capacity on telecommunications networks. By contrast, the transmission of data, video, and graphics requires much higher capacity. This transmission capacity is referred to as bandwidth. As the demand increases for high-capacity transmissions—especially with the rising popularity of the Internet—telecommunications companies are continually expanding and upgrading their networks to increase the amount of available bandwidth.

Wireline providers are expanding their networks by laying additional fiber optic cable, which provides higher bandwidth and transmission speed than copper wire. The capacity of fiber optic cables is increasing due to a technology known as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). WDM divides each glass strand within a cable into different colours of the spectrum, each colour can carry a separate stream of data, increasing overall capacity.

Providers have also begun offering upgraded service on the copper wirelines that connect most residential customers with the central offices. Technologies such as digital subscriber lines allow these lines to simultaneously transmit voice and data communications at relatively high speeds. Additionally, satellite communications providers are planning the launch of a network of satellites that will compete with wireline providers for high bandwidth data communication services.

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The Work

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The electronics and telecommunications industry offers steady, year-round employment. Overtime is sometimes required, especially during emergencies such as floods or hurricanes when workers may need to report to work with little notice.

Line installers and repairers work in a variety of places, both indoors and outdoors and in all kinds of weather. Their work involves lifting, climbing, reaching, stooping, crouching, and crawling.

They must work in high places such as rooftops and telephone poles. Their jobs bring them into proximity with electrical wires and circuits, so they must take precautions to avoid shocks.

These workers must wear safety equipment when entering manholes and test for the presence of gas before going underground.

Telecommunications equipment mechanics, installers and repairers generally work indoors—most often in a telecommunication company’s central office or a customer’s place of business.

They may have to stand for long periods, climb ladders and do some reaching, stooping and light lifting.

Adherence to safety precautions is essential to guard against work hazards such as minor burns and electrical shock.

Most communications equipment operators, such as telephone operators, work at video display terminals in pleasant, well-lighted, air-conditioned surroundings. If the work site is not well-designed, however, operators may experience eyestrain and back discomfort. The rapid pace of the job and close supervision may cause stress. Some workplaces have introduced innovative practices among their operators to reduce job-related stress.

Since, electronic engineers are employed in a variety of industries, the work environment may vary significantly.

Research-based jobs are carried out in laboratories, while the fabrication and assembly line jobs are carried on the shop floor.

Sales and marketing jobs involve travelling and dealing with market research personnel, agents and users.

Teaching jobs are institution-based and involve constant academic pursuits.

Electronic engineers in jobs with organisations working with electronic equipments such as defence, hospitals, aeronautics, weather laboratories, etc., work under conditions typical for the sector.

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Job Profile

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Though the electronics and telecommunications industry employs workers in many different occupations, about 60% of all workers are employed in either administrative support or precision production, research, craft and repair occupations.

Telephone craft workers install, repair, and maintain telephone equipment, cables and access lines and telecommunications systems. These workers can be grouped by the type of work they perform.

Line installers and repairers connect telephone central offices to customers’ telephone systems. They install poles and terminals and place wires and cables that lead to a consumer’s premises.

They use power-driven equipment to dig holes and set telephone poles. Line installers climb the poles or use truck-mounted buckets (aerial work platforms) and attach the cables using various hand tools.

After line installers place cables on poles, towers, or in underground conduits and trenches, they complete the line connections.

Telecommunications equipment mechanics, installers and repairers install, repair, and maintain the array of increasingly complex and sophisticated communications equipment. For example, central office equipment installers or equipment installation technicians set up, rearrange, and remove the complex switching and dialing equipment used in central offices. They may also solve network-related problems and programme equipment to provide special features.

Station installers and repairers, sometimes called telephone installers or service technicians, install, service and repair telephone systems and other communications equipment on customers’ property. When customers move or request new types of service, installers relocate telephones or make changes in existing equipment. They assemble equipment and install wiring. They also connect telephones to outside service wires and sometimes must climb poles or ladders to make these connections.

Administrative support workers perform a variety of duties. Communications equipment operators, including central office operators, directory assistance operators, and switchboard operators, make telephone connections; assist customers with specialised services and provide telephone number assistance.

Excluding operators, other administrative support occupations make up over one-fourth of all telecommunications employment. Customer service representatives help customers understand the new and varied types of services offered by telecommunications providers. Some customer service representatives are also expected to sell services and may work on a commission basis.

Other administrative support workers include adjusters, investigators, and collectors; records processing occupations; secretaries; general office clerks; and office and administrative support supervisors and managers.

These workers perform a variety of duties including keeping service records, compiling and sending bills to customers and preparing statistical and other company reports.

A section of the industry’s employees are scientific and technical personnel such as engineers and computer systems analysts, and scientists. Engineers plan cable and microwave routes, central office and PBX equipment installations, the expansion of existing structures, and solve other engineering problems. Some engineers also engage in research and development of new equipment.

Computer engineers who work with software, known as software engineers, design, develop, test, and debug software products, such as computer-assisted engineering programmes for schematic cabling projects, modeling programmes for cellular and satellite systems, and programmes for telephone options, such as voice mail, electronic mail, and call waiting.

Telecommunications specialists design voice and data communications systems, helping integrate communications equipment with computer networks. They work closely with clients, who may not understand sophisticated communications systems, and design systems that meet their customers’ needs.

Telecommunications specialists coordinate the installation of these systems and may provide follow-up maintenance and training.

In addition, the industry employs many other managerial, professional, and technical workers, such as communication, transportation, and utilities operations managers; accountants and auditors; human resources managers and training and labor relations specialists; engineering technicians; and computer programmers.

Some of the industry’s employees are in marketing and sales occupations. These workers sell telecommunications services, such as long distance service, personal answering services, voice mail, electronic mail, and call waiting telephone options.

New occupational specialties have emerged based on the industry’s new innovations and technologies. Laser and fiber optic engineers conduct research and design gas lasers and related equipment needed to send messages via fiber optic cable transmission. They study the limitations and uses of lasers and fiber optics, find new applications for them, and oversee the building, testing, and operations of the new applications.

Electronic engineers have been involved in the invention, design, construction and operation of electronic systems and devices. There are several divisions and departments where electronic engineers work.

They work in any of the many segments of the communication industry, automobile industry or in robotics. Electronic engineers work on electrical circuits in endless applications.

As specialists, they may work with computing systems, industrial equipments, aerospace equipments or bio-medical devices. The jobs in these sectors are in research, design and development, manufacturing, servicing sales, marketing and teaching.

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Requirement
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Resources
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Mathematics and Physics are the basic subjects required in 10+2 for students who wish to study electronics and telecommunications. The BE or B.Tech courses are four years of duration and generally offer jobs in the public sector, defence, manufacturing industries and sales and marketing.

Those inclined to enter research and development or teaching or consultancy jobs must opt for post-graduate qualifications. The Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) has to be cleared for seeking placement in post-graduate degree programmes. ME or M.Tech are two-year courses and further specialisations are offered through post-graduate diplomas or research fellowships.

Students may also opt to acquire a technician's qualification through the three-year diploma courses offered by technology training institutions.

The option to study for membership examinations of professional bodies or even to pursue a part-time degree course is open to diploma holders for the purpose of upgrading their qualifications while on the job.

Professional examinations for technicians

 A degree in Electronics and Telecommunication may be acquired on passing the membership examination of the Institute of Electronic & Telecommunication Engineers. The Institution offers the following courses in the fields of electronics and telecommunication which are recognised by the Government of India.

DIPIETE (diploma level course)

 Eligibility criteria includes
a) 16 years of age or above
b) Passed the class 10 examination with General Science or Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, conducted by a recognised board of education and a student of 10+2 as an apprentice or working in a recognised organisation, engaged in electronics or telecommunication or allied activities.

AMIETE (degree level course)

 Eligibility criteria includes
a) 16 years of age or above
b) Passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and a student of B.Sc. or a diploma holder or as an apprentice or working in a recognised organisation engaged in electronics or telecommunication or allied activities. Another option is to have passed the B.Sc. or got a diploma from a recognised institution.

Examinations for AMIETE and DIPIETE are conducted twice a year in the month of June and December at Ahmedabad, Bangalore. Mumbai, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Chennai, Pune, Vijayawada, Thiruvananthapuram, Jabalpur, Aligarh, Allahabad, Dehradun, Bhubaneswar, Mankapur Pilani, Imphal, Abu Dhabi and Kathmandu.

Post-graduate level exemptions

 List of exemptions from various papers of the graduateship AMIETE examination as per the restricted new syllabus. (Qualification from the institutions recognised by the Government of India and approved by the council are acceptable.)

Qualification

Subjects exempted from AMIETE exam
1) B.Tech or BE or B.Sc. (engineering) degree in electronics and telecommunications or electrical with specialisation in electronics and telecommunication or computer engineering, diploma in electronics from Madras Institute of Technology, diploma in Electrical Communication Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore or any equivalent recognised by the Department of Education, Government of India or the AICTE and approved by the council. Exemption not needed, eligible to become
associate member directly.
2) B. Tech or BE or B.Sc. (engineering) in Electrical or any equivalent recognised by the Department of Education, Government of India and approved by the council. A01: Mathematics
A02: Engineering    Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A04: Materials and Processes
A05: Basic Electronics
A07: Numerical analysis and Computer
programming
A08: Circuit Theory and Design
A09: Analog and Digital Electronics
A10: Electrical Engineering
A11: Control Engineering
A12: Instrumentation and Measurements
A13: Computer Engineering
A16: Industrial Management
3) B.Tech or BE or B.Dc. (engineering) or any equivalent in disciplines other than electronics and Telecommunications or Electrical or Computer Engineering, recognised by the Department of Education, Government of India and approved by the Council. A01: Mathematics
A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A04: Materials and Processes
A05: Basic Electronics
A10: Electrical Engineering
A16: Industrial Management
4) M.Sc. (Physics) with electronics as a special subject (with at least two papers in electronics and telecommunications) A01: Mathematics
A03: Applied mechanics
A05: Basic Electronics
A08: Circuit Theory and Design
A09: Analog and Digital Electronics
A14: Electromagnetics and Radiation
5) M.Sc. (Physics), B.Sc. (Physics and Mathematics), B.Sc. (Honours) with either Physics as the main subject and Maths as the subsidiary subject or vice-versa. A01: Mathematics
A03: Applied Mechanics
6) M.Sc. (Technology) Applied Geophysics of Indian School of Mines. A01: Mathematics
A04: Materials and Processes
A10: Electrical Engineering
A16: Industrial Management
7) M.Sc. or MA or BA (mathematics) A01: Mathematics
8) B.Sc. (electronics) A02: Mathematics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A04: Basic Electronics
9) Post B.Sc. course of applied advanced electronics or a diploma in electronics of at least one year duration after B.Sc. A01: Mathematics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A05: Basic Electronics
10) MBA A16: Industrial Management
11) Diploma in electronics and telecommunication engineering or electronics and radio engineering industrial electronics or  electrical engineering mechanical engineering or civil engineering or any other allied engineering discipline of at least three years duration or of two years duration after SIC or B.Sc (Physics) or any equivalent recognised by the Department of Education, Government of India or the AICTE and approved by the Council. A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
12) Junior Engineers of the P&T department (now DOT) who have undergone 12 months training at the P&T Training Centre. A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A05: Basic Electronics
A10: Electrical engineering
13) JE’s of Indian P&T (now DOT) who have undergone the 33 weeks job-oriented modular course and supervisors of Nepal Telecom Corporation who have undergone 20 weeks of the basic course and 24 weeks of the advanced specialised course A05: Basic Electronics
A10: Electrical Engineering
14) Assistant divisional Engineers with six months training at the P&T (now DOT) Training Centre All Subjects excluding
A06: signals and Systems
A16: Industrial Management
15. Railway Signals and Telecommunication Inspectors A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A05: Basic Electronics
A10: Electrical Engineering
16) Assistant Signals and Telecommunication Engineers, Railways (ASTE) A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A05: Basic Electronics
A10: Electrical Engineering
17) Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Officers’ Degree Engineering course (Electronics) (College of Military Engineering Kirkee or the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad) All subjects excluding
A06: Signals and Systems
A16: Industrial Management
18) ‘Signal Officers’ Degree Engineering Course-part I and part II (College of Military Engineering Kirkee or Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow) All subjects excluding
A06: Signals and Systems
A16: Industrial Management
19) Aeronautical Engineering Officers’ Course (Electronics).
Air Force Technical College , Bangalore.		 All subjects excluding
A06: Signals and Systems
A16: Industrial Management
20) A pass in Basic Engineering course from the Naval College of Engineering, Lonavala together with Electrical Specialisation course form I.N.S. Valsura All subjects excluding
A06: Signals and Systems
A16: Industrial Management
21) Associate Membership Exam of the Aeronautical Society of India (Avionics Common Stream) A01: Mathematics
A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A04: Materials and Progresses
A05: Basic Electronics
A10: Electrical Engineering
A16: Industrial Management
22) Associate membership Exam of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (London) with paper in Electronics and Communication Group subjects A01: Mathematics
A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A04: Materials and Processes
A05: Basic Electronics
A07 Numerical analysis and Computer Programming
A08: Circuit Theory and Design
A09: Analog and Digital Electronics
A10: Electrical Engineering and corresponding electives, if any.
23) M.Sc. (Electronics) of Saurashtra University, Rajkot A01: Mathematics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A14: Electromagnetic Radiation
A05: Basic Electronics
A09: Analog and Digital Electronics
24) M.Sc. (Applied Physics) of the Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi University A01: Mathematics
A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A04: Materials and Processes
A14: Electromagnetic Radiation
A08: Circuit Theory and Design
A05: Basic Electronics
25) M.Sc (Applied Electronics) in Gulbarga University, Gulbarga A01: Mathematics
A02: Engineering Graphics
A03: Applied mechanics

A14: Electromagnetic Radiation
A08: Circuit Theory and Design
A05: Basic Electronics
26. M.Sc. (Applied Electronics) in Amaravati University, Amaravati A01: Mathematics
A03: Applied mechanics
A14: electromagnetic Radiation
A08: Circuit Theory and Design
A05: Basic Electronics
27. B.ASc. (Electronics) Bachelor of Applied Sciences(three years course) in the College of Applied Sciences for Women, University of Delhi A01: Mathematics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A05: Basic Electronics
28) B.ASc (Instrumentation) Bachelor of Applied Sciences (three years course) in the College of Applied Sciences for Women, University of Delhi A01: Mathematics
A03: Applied Mechanics
A05: Basic Electronics
Exemption from the AMIETE REB-I
Candidates belonging to the following categories are exempted from submitting for REB report for appearing in Section B, Part 1
  • Diploma holders and Licentiates in Electrical or Electronics Telecommunication or Industrial Electronics or Radio Engineering
  • Candidates with M.Sc. (Physics) Degree with Electronics specialisation (with at least two papers in electronics and telecommunication engineering)
  • Candidates who have completed the post B.Sc. course in applied electronics or advance electronics or diploma in electronics   of at least one year of duration.
  • B.Sc. (Electronics) degree holders
Addresses

  • The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers,
     2, Institutional Area,
    Lodhi Road,
    New Delhi 110 003
    India

  • 206, Umiya Shopping Centre,
    Satellite Road,
    Ahmedabad 380 015
  • IETE Building,
    Ganganagar,
    Bellary Road,
    Bangalore 560 032

  • c/o IE (India) Building,
    15, Haji Ali Port,
    K. Khadye Marg,
    Mahalaxmi,
    Bombay 400 034

  • 3A, Chowringhee Place,
    Raneegunge Coal House,
    53 and 58, II Floor,
    Calcutta 700 013

  • c/o CSIO,
    Sector 30,
    Chandigarh 160 020

  • IETE Building,
    2, Institutional Area,
    Lodhi Road,
    New Delhi 110 003

  • IETE Building,
    Osmania University Campus,
    Hyderabad 500 007

  • 37, Conran Smith Road,
    Gopalapuram,
    Chennai 600 086

  • 'Raghuraj',
    62 Indira Nagar,
    Erandawana,
    Pune 411 004

  • c/o CGM Telecom
    (Kerala Circle),
    Thiruvananthapuram 695 033

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