Introduction to Data

Communications
 Introduction to Data Communications
Data communications refer to the exchange of data between devices
through a transmission medium.
It involves the movement of data in the form of bits (0s and 1s) across
a network or communication channel, enabling devices to share
information efficiently and effectively.
Data communications are foundational to modern computing, enabling
everything from simple email exchanges to complex, real-time
multimedia transmissions.
Key Components of Data Communications
1) Source: The device or node that generates the data to be sent. This
could be a computer, a sensor, or any other data-generating device.
2) Transmitter: The device that encodes the data into signals suitable for
transmission over the chosen medium. This might involve converting digital data
into analog signals or modulating a carrier wave.

3) Transmission Medium: The physical or wireless pathway that carries the

signals between the transmitter and receiver. Common transmission media include
copper cables, fiber-optic cables, and radio waves.

4) Receiver: The device that receives the transmitted signals and decodes them
back into data that the destination device can understand.

5) Destination: The final endpoint where the data is intended to arrive. This could
be another computer, a server, or a specialized device like a printer.

6) Data: The information being communicated. This can include text, audio, video,
and other multimedia formats.
Components of Data Communications
A Simplified Communications Model
 A Brief History about Communications
 1837- Samuel Morse invented the telegraph. Coding is done with the Morse
code
 1876- Alex. Graham Bell invented the telephone. Voice is converted into
electrical energy and transmitted over a wire.
 1945- ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was invented
as the first electronic computer.
 1980s-Personal Computers become a new way of computing
 1990s-came the emergence of the Internet and World Wide Web
applications
What are transmitted via Communication Media?
 Voice – encoded signals
 Video – encoded images
 Data – character streams
Characteristics of Data Communications:
Delivery:
 The system must deliver data to the correct destination. Data must be received by the intended
device or user and only by that device or user.
Accuracy:
 The system must deliver the data accurately. Data that have been altered in transmission and left
uncorrected are unusable.
Timeliness:
 The system must deliver data in a timely manner. Data delivered late are useless.
In the case of video and audio, timely delivery means delivering data as they are
produced, in the same order that they are produced, and without significant delay.
This kind of delivery is called real-time transmission.
 Jitter: (Packet delay variance)
 Jitter refers to the variation in the packet arrival time or disruption in the normal sequence of sending data
packets. It is the uneven delay in the delivery of audio or video packets. For example, let us assume that
video packets are sent every 3ms. If some of the packets arrive with 3ms delay and others with 4ms delay,
an uneven quality in the video is the result.
Types of Data Communications
 Analog vs. Digital:
 Analog Communications involve the transmission of continuous signals
that vary in amplitude or frequency. Examples include traditional telephone
networks and radio broadcasting.
 Digital Communications use discrete signals (0s and 1s) for transmission,
providing more robust error detection and correction. This is the basis for
most modern data communication systems, including the internet.
 Simplex, Half-Duplex, and Full-Duplex:
 Simplex: Data flows in only one direction. Example: Television broadcasting.
 Half-Duplex: Data can flow in both directions but not simultaneously.
Example: Walkie-talkies.
 Full-Duplex: Data flows in both directions simultaneously. Example:
Telephone communication.
 Transmission Modes in Computer Networks

Simplex Mode
In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, as on a one-way street. Only one of the two devices on a link
can transmit, the other can only receive. The simplex mode can use the entire capacity of the channel to send data
in one direction.
Example: Keyboard and traditional monitors. The keyboard can only introduce input, the monitor can only give the
output.
 Half-Duplex Mode
In half-duplex mode, each station can both transmit and receive, but not at the same
time. When one device is sending, the other can only receive, and vice versa.
 The half-duplex mode is used in cases where there is no need for communication in
both direction at the same time. The entire capacity of the channel can be utilized for
each direction.
 Example: Walkie- talkie in which message is sent one at a time and messages are
sent in both the directions.
Full-Duplex Mode
In full-duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive simultaneously. In full duplex mode, signals
going in one direction share the capacity of the link with signals going in other direction, this sharing can
occur in two ways:
 Either the link must contain two physically separate transmission paths, one for sending and
other for receiving.
 Or the capacity is divided between signals travelling in both directions.
 Full-duplex mode is used when communication in both direction is required all the time. The capacity
of the channel, however must be divided between the two directions.
Example: Telephone Network in which there is communication between two persons by a telephone
line, through which both can talk and listen at the same time.
Modes of Data Transmission
 Serial Transmission: Data is transmitted bit by bit over a single channel. This mode is slower but
more economical and effective over long distances.
 Parallel Transmission: Multiple bits are transmitted simultaneously over multiple channels. This
is faster but is typically used for short distances due to the potential for signal degradation and
interference.
Communication Protocols
Communication protocols are standardized sets of rules that govern how data is transmitted and
received. They ensure that devices can communicate effectively, even if they are from different
manufacturers or platforms. Key protocols include:
 TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol): The foundation of internet
communication, ensuring data is sent and received in the correct order.
 Ethernet: A widely used technology for local area networks (LANs), defining how devices in a
network communicate with each other.
 HTTP/HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol/Secure): Protocols used for transmitting web pages
over the internet, with HTTPS providing an additional layer of security.
 Comparison between Serial and Parallel Transmission

Basis for Comparison Serial Transmission Parallel Transmission

Data flows in multiple directions, 8

Definition Data flows in 2 directions, bit by bit
bits (1 byte) at a time

Cost Economical Expensive

Number of bits transferred per clock

1 bit 8 bits or 1 byte
pulse

Speed Slow Fast

Used for long distance Used for short distance

Applications
communication communication

Example Computer to computer Computer to printer

Error Detection and Correction
 During data transmission, errors can occur due to noise, interference, or
signal degradation. Techniques for error detection and correction are
crucial for ensuring data integrity:
 Parity Check: A simple method where a parity bit is added to the data to
make the number of 1s either even (even parity) or odd (odd parity).
 Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC): A more robust method that generates
a checksum based on the data, allowing the detection of more complex
errors.
 Error Correction Codes (ECC): Techniques like Hamming code that not
only detect errors but also correct them without the need for
retransmission.
Applications of Data Communications
 Internet and Web Services: Enabling access to web pages, emails,
and cloud-based applications.
 Telecommunications: Facilitating voice and video communication
over long distances.
 Industrial Automation: Allowing machines and sensors in factories
to communicate and operate autonomously.
 Remote Sensing and IoT (Internet of Things): Connecting smart
devices and sensors to collect and transmit data for analysis and
decision-making.
Challenges in Data Communications
 Bandwidth Limitations: The amount of data that can be transmitted
over a network is often constrained by the bandwidth of the
communication medium.
 Latency: Delays in data transmission can affect real-time
communication applications like video conferencing and online gaming.
 Security Concerns: Protecting data from unauthorized access and
ensuring its integrity during transmission are critical, especially in
sensitive applications like banking and healthcare.
 Interference and Noise: External factors can degrade the quality of
the transmitted signal, leading to errors.
Future Trends
 The field of data communications is rapidly evolving, driven by
technological advancements and growing demands for faster, more
reliable communication. Emerging trends include:
 5G and Beyond: The rollout of 5G networks promises significantly
faster data rates, lower latency, and more reliable connections,
enabling new applications like autonomous vehicles and smart cities.
 Quantum Communications: Research in quantum communication
holds the potential for ultra-secure data transmission through quantum
encryption.
 Edge Computing: Moving data processing closer to the source (e.g.,
IoT devices) to reduce latency and bandwidth usage.