Loop Plant Electronics: Planning for Loop Electronic Systems

Planning for loop electronics in the Bell System responds to at least two distinct, but interrelated, areas of need. The operating telephone companies plan for the use of loop electronics as part of their annual construction program, and Bell Laboratories, together with AT&T, plans the development of new systems and new applications for existing systems. These two planning functions, occurring at two different levels throughout the entire Bell System, are interrelated. This paper describes the planning process for loop electronics now recommended for use in the Bell System companies as well as the development planning process in use at Bell Labs and AT&T. The interrelationships and interdependencies of these two processes are outlined in Fig. 1. Development planning for loop electronics is needed to guide devel1035 Fig. 1--Interrelated planning process.