CAT Alarm Communication Systems & Signal Transmission 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'polling' mean in the context of alarm system communication?
- Periodic check-in signals used to verify the communication path is active (Correct answer)
- Surveying customers about satisfaction with their alarm system
- Counting the number of alarm events over a given time period
- Testing detection sensors for accuracy
Correct answer: Periodic check-in signals used to verify the communication path is active
Polling involves the central station or receiver periodically sending a signal to the alarm panel communicator to confirm the path is active and the system is functioning.
Question 2: What is the purpose of an 'account number' programmed into an alarm communicator?
- To uniquely identify the specific alarm system at the central station (Correct answer)
- To record the customer's billing information for alarm services
- To track the total number of alarm activations at the property
- To register the panel's serial number with the manufacturer
Correct answer: To uniquely identify the specific alarm system at the central station
The account number is a unique identifier so the central station receiver knows exactly which customer's system is reporting an event when a signal is received.
Question 3: What does SIA stand for in the context of alarm industry communication standards?
- Security Industry Association (Correct answer)
- Signal Integration Authority
- Standard Installation Architecture
- System Interface Assembly
Correct answer: Security Industry Association
SIA stands for Security Industry Association, the trade organization that develops alarm industry standards including communication protocols such as SIA DC-09.
Question 4: In alarm communications, what is a 'handshake'?
- The exchange of tones between communicator and receiver to establish a connection (Correct answer)
- A physical inspection of all wiring connections inside the control panel
- The process of programming zone descriptions at the keypad
- The procedure for connecting two alarm panels in tandem
Correct answer: The exchange of tones between communicator and receiver to establish a connection
A handshake is the initial exchange of tones or signals between the alarm communicator and the central station receiver that establishes a valid communication session before event data is sent.
Question 5: What is a supervisory signal in alarm system communication?
- A signal indicating a trouble or monitoring condition, distinct from an alarm (Correct answer)
- A signal sent from the central station to arm the system remotely
- A signal that increases transmission power during poor conditions
- A signal that activates the panel's internal audible sounder
Correct answer: A signal indicating a trouble or monitoring condition, distinct from an alarm
A supervisory signal reports a trouble or monitoring condition such as low battery or AC power loss that requires attention but is not an actual alarm activation.
Question 6: What advantage does cellular communication provide over traditional PSTN for alarm signal transmission?
- It cannot be defeated by cutting the telephone line (Correct answer)
- It always transmits signals faster than PSTN
- It requires no power at the alarm control panel
- It is always less expensive than PSTN service
Correct answer: It cannot be defeated by cutting the telephone line
Cellular communicators transmit over wireless carrier networks, making them immune to telephone line cuts that would completely disable a PSTN-only alarm communicator.
Question 7: Which signal format uses DTMF tones transmitted over a telephone line to send alarm event codes to the central station?
- Contact ID (Correct answer)
- Fiber optic pulse coding
- RF burst modulation
- SIP voice protocol
Correct answer: Contact ID
Contact ID transmits alarm event data as a series of DTMF (dual-tone multi-frequency) tones sent by the communicator over the telephone line to the central station receiver.
CAT Alarm Communication Systems & Signal Transmission 2
What does 'polling' mean in the context of alarm system communication?