Data Communication

Data Communication Basics

• Data Communications: The movement of computer information from
one point to another by means of electrical or optical transmission
systems (called networks).
• Telecommunications: Broader term that includes the transmission of
voice and video, as well as data, and may imply longer distances.
Components of Data Communication
• A communication system is made up of the following components:
• Message: A message is a piece of information that is to be transmitted from one
person to another. It could be a text file, an audio file, a video file, etc.
• Sender: It is simply a device that sends data messages. It can be a computer,
mobile, telephone, laptop, video camera, or workstation, etc.
• Receiver: It is a device that receives messages. It can be a computer, telephone
mobile, workstation, etc.
• Transmission Medium / Communication Channels: Communication channels are
the medium that connect two or more workstations. Workstations can be
connected by either wired media or wireless media.
• Set of rules (Protocol): When someone sends the data (The sender), it should be
understandable to the receiver also otherwise it is meaningless. For example, Ali
sends a message to Zia. If Ali writes in Urdu and Zia cannot understand Urdu, it is
a meaningless conversation.
 Multi-layer Data Communication
Model
• The process of transferring a message between
sender and receiver is more easily implemented by
breaking it down into simpler components.
• Instead of a single layer, a group of layers are used,
dividing up the tasks required for network
communications.
• The two most important such network models are
the OSI and Internet models.

5
 Data Communication Model
• The OSI Networking Reference Model
• Stands for Open Systems Interconnection
• Created by the International Standards
Organization (ISO) as a framework for computer
network standards

6
 The OSI 7-layer Model
The Application Layer: Application Layer is the topmost layer of the
OSI model and has the responsibility for providing interface
between various users and application.
Presentation: Formats data for presentation to the user.
Session: Responsible for initiating, maintaining and terminating each
logical session between sender and receiver. For example : Login
Sessions in online banking.
Transport: Deals with end-to-end issues such as segmenting the
message for network transport, and maintaining the logical
connections between sender and receiver
Network: Responsible for making routing decisions
Data Link: It ensures that the data must be synchronized, error
detection and control are enabled.
Physical: This layer includes the physical equipment involved in the
data transfer, such as the cables and switches. This is also the layer
where the data gets converted into a bit stream, which is a string of
1s and 0s
7
DATA REPRESENTATION

Data is collection of raw facts which is processed to deduce

information. There may be different forms in which data may be
represented. Some of the forms of data used in communications are as
follows:
1. Text: Text includes combination of alphabets in small case as well as
upper case. It is stored as a pattern of bits. Prevalent encoding system :
ASCII, Unicode
 DATA REPRESENTATION
2. Numbers: Numbers include combination of digits from 0 to 9. It is stored as a
pattern of bits. Prevalent encoding system : ASCII, Unicode
3. Images
• An image is worth a thousand words‖ is a very famous saying. In computers
images are digitally stored.
• A Pixel is the smallest element of an image. To put it in simple terms, a picture or
image is a matrix of pixel elements. The pixels are represented in the form of bits.
Depending upon the type of image (black n white or color) each pixel would
require different number of bits to represent the value of a pixel.
DATA REPRESENTATION
• The size of an image depends upon the number of pixels (also called
resolution) and the bit pattern used to indicate the value of each
pixel.
• Example: if an image is purely black and white (two color) each pixel
can be represented by a value either 0 or 1, so an image made up of
10 x 10 pixel elements would require only 100 bits in memory to be
stored. On the other hand an image that includes gray may require 2
bits to represent every pixel value (00 - black, 01 – dark gray, 10 light
gray, 11 white).
• So the same 10 x 10 pixel image would now require 200 bits of
memory to be stored. Commonly used Image formats : jpg, png, bmp,
etc
DATA REPRESENTATION
• 4. Audio: Data can also be in the form of sound which can be
recorded and broadcasted. Example: What we hear on the radio is a
source of data or information. Audio data is continuous, not discrete.
5. Video: Video refers to broadcasting of data in form of picture or
movie
Modes of Data Transmission
Two devices communicate with each other by sending and receiving
data. The data can flow between the two devices in the following
ways.
1. Simplex
2. Half Duplex
3. Full Duplex
Modes of Data Transmission

In Simplex, communication is unidirectional

• Only one of the devices sends the data and the other one only receives the
data.
Example: in the above diagram: a cpu send data while a monitor only
receives data.
Half Duplex
• In half duplex both the stations can transmit as well as receive but not at
the same time.
• When one device is sending other can only receive and vice-versa (as
shown in figure above.)
• Example: A walkie-talkie.
Modes of Data Transmission
• Full Duplex
• In Full duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive at the
same time.
• Example: mobile phones
Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission

• The action of transferring data or anything from one place to other is

referred to as transmission.
• It is a method of sharing data between two devices linked by a network,
also known as communication mode.
• Synchronous and asynchronous transmissions are the two main types of
transmission used in computer networking.
• In both synchronous and asynchronous transmission, data is sent between
the transmitter and the receiver based on a clock pulse utilized for
synchronization.
• Synchronous and Asynchronous Transmission are types of serial data
transmission methods.
Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission
• Synchronous Transmission: In Synchronous Transmission, data is sent
in form of blocks or frames. This transmission is the full-duplex type.
Between sender and receiver, synchronization is compulsory. In
Synchronous transmission, There is no gap present between data. It is
more efficient and more reliable than asynchronous transmission to
transfer a large amount of data.

• Example:

• Chat Rooms
• Telephonic Conversations
• Video Conferencing
Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission
Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission
• Asynchronous Transmission: In Asynchronous Transmission, data is
sent in form of byte or character. This transmission is the half-duplex
type transmission. In this transmission start bits and stop bits are
added with data. It does not require synchronization.
• Example:
• Email
• Forums
Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission
Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission
Asynchronous and Synchronous Transmission
Modem
• Short for
modulator/demodulator
• Converts digital signal to
analog and vice versa

Return

Copyright © 2003 by Prentice Hall 23

 Types of Modems
• A telephone modem is used to connect a computer directly to a telephone
line. These modems can be either internal or external. Internal modems are
on an expansion card that plugs into a slot on the system board. An
external modem is typically connected to the system unit through a serial
or USB port.
• A DSL (digital subscriber line) modem uses standard phone lines to create
a high-speed connection directly to your phone company’s offices. These
devices are usually external and connect to the system unit using either
USB or Ethernet ports.
• A cable modem uses the same coaxial cable as your television., a cable
modem creates high-speed connections using the system unit’s USB or
Ethernet port.
• A wireless modem is also known as a WWAN (wireless wide area
network)modem. It is usually a small plug-in USB or Express Card device
that provides very portable high-speed connectivity from virtually
anywhere.

24 Copyright © 2003 by Prentice Hall

Communication Channels
• Communication channels are the medium that connects two or more
workstations. Workstations can be connected by either wired media
or wireless media. It is also known as a transmission medium. The
transmission medium or channel is a link that carries messages
between two or more devices. We can group the communication
media into two categories:
• Guided media transmission
• Unguided media transmission
Communication Channels
• Guided Media: In this transmission medium, the physical link is created using wires or
cables between two or more computers or devices, and then the data is transmitted
using these cables in terms of signals. Guided media transmission of the following types:
• 1. Twisted pair cable: It is the most common form of wire used in communication. In a
twisted-pair cable, two identical wires are wrapped together in a double helix. The
twisting of the wire reduces the crosstalk. It is known as the leaking of a signal from one
wire to another due to which signal can corrupt and can cause network errors. The
twisting protects the wire from internal crosstalk as well as external forms of signal
interference. Types of Twisted Pair Cable :
• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): It is used in computers and telephones widely. As the
name suggests, there is no external shielding so it does not protects from external
interference. It is cheaper than STP.
• Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): It offers greater protection from crosstalk due to shield. Due
to shielding, it protects from external interference. It is heavier and costlier as compare
to UTP.
Communication Channels
• 2. Coaxial Cable: It consists of a solid wire core that is surrounded by one or more
foil or wire shields. The inner core of the coaxial cable carries the signal and the
outer shield provides the ground. It is widely used for television signals and also
used by large corporations in building security systems. Data transmission of this
cable is better but expensive as compared to twisted pair.
• 3. Optical fibers: Optical fiber is an important technology. It transmits large
amounts of data at very high speeds due to which it is widely used in internet
cables. It carries data as a light that travels inside a thin glass fiber. The fiber optic
cable is made up of three pieces:
• Core: Core is the piece through which light travels. It is generally created using
glass or plastic.
• Cladding: It is the covering of the core and reflects the light back to the core.
• Sheath: It is the protective covering that protects fiber cable from the
environment.
Communication Channels
• Unguided Media: The unguided transmission media is a transmission mode in which the
signals are propagated from one device to another device wirelessly. Signals can wave
through the air, water, or vacuum. It is generally used to transmit signals in all directions.
Unguided Media is further divided into various parts :
• 1. Microwave: Microwave offers communication without the use of cables. Microwave
signals are just like radio and television signals. It is used in long-distance
communication. Microwave transmission consists of a transmitter, receiver, and
atmosphere. In microwave communication, there are parabolic antennas that are
mounted on the towers to send a beam to another antenna. The higher the tower, the
greater the range.
• 2. Radio wave: When communication is carried out by radio frequencies, then it is
termed radio waves transmission. It offers mobility. It is consists of the transmitter and
the receiver. Both use antennas to radiate and capture the radio signal.
• 3. Infrared: It is short-distance communication and can pass through any object. It is
generally used in TV remotes, wireless mouse, etc.
Communication Channels
• The radio wave has a low energy and low-frequency wave. On the other
hand, microwaves are high-energy and high-frequency waves.
• Radio waves are typically transmitted via sky mode. On the other hand,
microwaves utilize a line-of-sight transmission.
• The nature of radio waves is omnidirectional. In contrast, the microwave
is unidirectional.
• The wavelength range of a radio wave is greater than 1 cm. In contrast, the
wavelength range of a microwave is between 1 cm and 1mm.
• Radio Waves may cover long distances. In contrast, Microwaves may cover
shorter distances.
• Radio waves are widely utilized in cellular systems,. In contrast, microwaves
are commonly utilized in microwave ovens, radar systems, aviation
navigation, and many other applications.
Communication Channels
• Satellite Transmission
• Satellite acts as relay station
• Components
• Earth station sends and receives signal to satellite
• Transponder receives from an earth station (uplink) and amplifies signal,
changes frequency, and retransmits data to receiving earth station (downlink)
• Useful when signal must travel thousands of miles
• Communication satellites are launches into space and suspended about 22,300
miles
Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth technology allows devices to communicate with each other without
cables or wires. Bluetooth relies on short-range radio frequency, and any device
that incorporates the technology can communicate as long as it is within the
required distance. The technology is often used to allow two different types of
devices to communicate with each other.

30
Communication Channels
• WiFi
• Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices such as
computers (laptops and desktops), mobile devices (smart phones and
wearables), and other equipment (printers and video cameras) to interface
with the Internet. It allows these devices--and many more--to exchange
information with one another, creating a network.
• Internet connectivity occurs through a wireless router. When you access
Wi-Fi, you are connecting to a wireless router that allows your Wi-Fi-
compatible devices to interface with the Internet.

31