MPU3412 / TMX1022

ICT COMPETENCY
Unit 3: Communications & Networks
Unit Learning Outcomes
• By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
• Explain digital communications and its components

• Define what is computer network and its components

• Identify the importance of communications networks in daily life

• Distinguish between types of networks

• Identify common types of network and communications components

Image source: Google Image

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Digital Communications
• Digital communications
is the process in which
two or more
computers/computing
devices transfer data,
instructions and
information

• Computers/computing
devices connected on
networks communicate
with each other
Image source: Discovering Computers 2016
Digital Communications
• The following are the components required for
successful digital communications:

Image source: Google Image

Digital Communications
The following are the components • Medium:
required for successful digital
• The physical path where the
communications: message travel from sender to
• Message: receiver
• Data, information or instructions to • Also known as communication
be communicated channel
• Can be text, audio, video, pictures,
etc. • Protocol:
• A standard for the sender and
• Sender: receiver devices to communicate
with each other
• Device that initiates instructions to
transmit the message

• Receiver:
• Device that accepts the
transmission of the message

Image source: Google Image

NETWORKS
Networks
• A network is a collection of computers and computing
devices connected together via communications devices
and transmission media

• Network types can be classified according to:

• Area of coverage
• Architecture
• Topology

Image source: Google Image

Network Usage

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

NETWORK AREA OF COVERAGE
Area of Coverage
• Personal Area Network (PAN)
• Connects computers and computing devices in an individual’s
workspace using wired and wireless technology
• Devices may be connected through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared or
cables

Image source: Google Image

Area of Coverage
• Body Area Network (BAN)
• A type of PAN that wirelessly
connects sensors that are
placed on human bodies
• Can be worn by, carried by,
attached to or implanted in
human bodies
• Also known as Body Sensor
Network (BSN)
• Example of BAN usage is to
monitor health data

Image source: Google Image

Area of Coverage
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• A network that connects computers and devices in a limited
geographical area
• E.g. Home, school, office building, closely positioned group of buildings
• Each computer or device on the network is called a node and are
connected by cables

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Area of Coverage
• Wireless Local Area Network
(WLAN)
• A type of LAN that does not
use physical cables
• Computers and devices on a
WLAN must have built-in
wireless capabilities, wireless
network cards, USB adapters
or other wireless device
• A WLAN may communicate
with a LAN

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Area of Coverage
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• A high-speed network that connects LANs in a metropolitan area
• E.g. town, city
• Typically has one or more LANs
• Covers a smaller geographic area than a WAN

Image source: Google Image

Area of Coverage
• Wide Area Network
(WAN)
• A network that covers a large
geographic area using a
variety of wired and wireless
transmission media
• E.g. city, state, region, country,
the world
• It can consists of multiple
LANs connected together, or
one large network
• The world’s largest WAN is
the Internet

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
Network Architecture
• The configuration of computers, devices, and media on
a network is called the network architecture

• Two types of network architecture:

• Client/server
• Peer-to-Peer
Network Architecture
• Client/Server
• One or more computers act
as the server (host computer)
• The server controls access to
the hardware, software, and
other resources on the
network
• Other computers (clients) on
the network request services
from the server
• Provides centralized storage
areas for programs, data and
information
• Typically for 10 or more
computers, but can connect
smaller number of computers

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Network Architecture
• Peer-to-Peer
• Each computer or device on
the network is called a peer
• All computers have equal
responsibilities and
capabilities
• Share software, hardware,
data, information and other
resources with computers an
devices on the network
• Typically connects fewer than
10 computers

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
Network Topologies
• The arrangement or layout of computers and devices on
a network is called the network topology

• There are 3 basic topologies:

• Bus
• Ring
• Star

• Most networks use a combination of the three basic

topologies
Network Topologies
• Bus
• All computers and devices connect to a single central cable called
the bus
• The bus transmit data, information and instructions in both
directions

Image: Vermaat, Sebok & Freund (2014)

Network Topologies
• Ring
• A cable forms a closed
loop (ring) with all
computers and devices
arranged along the ring
• Data travels in one
direction, from device to
device around the entire
ring

Image: Vermaat, Sebok & Freund (2014)

Network Topologies
• Star
• All computers and devices
on the network connect to
a central device, forming
a star
• All data passes through the
central device

Image: Vermaat, Sebok & Freund (2014)

COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
Communications Devices
• Any type of hardware capable of transmitting data,
instructions, and information between a sender and a
receiver through transmission media

• There are a variety of communication devices:

• Modem
• Wireless Access Point
• Router
• Network Card
• Hubs and switches
Communications Devices
• Digital modem
• Also called broadband
modem
• Sends and receives
information to and from a
digital line
• Three types of
broadband modems:
• Cable modems
• DSL modems
• ISDN modems

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Communications Devices
• Wireless modem
• Uses a mobile phone provider’s network to connect to the Internet
wirelessly from a computer or mobile device
• Available as USB adapters and other devices
• Smartphones can function as a wireless modem when tethered to a
computer or mobile device
• This is called a mobile hotspot

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Communications Devices
• Wireless Access Point
• A central communications device that allows computers and
devices to transfer data wirelessly among themselves or to a wired
network using wireless technology
• A WAP can connect to a router through an Ethernet/other cable or
is part of a router

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Communications Devices
• Router
• Connects multiple
computers or other routers
together and transmits
data to its correct
destination on a network
• Can be used on a network
of any size
• Routers can have
additional functions:
• Wireless router
• Broadband router
• Broadband wireless router
• Mobile broadband wireless
router

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Communications Devices
• Network card
• Enables a computer or device that does not have built-in
networking capability to access a network
• Coordinates the transmission and receipt of data, instructions, and
information to and from the computer/device containing the network
card
• Available in a variety of styles: adapter card, USB adapter, etc.

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Communications Devices
• Hubs and switches
• Provides a central point for cables in a network
• Larger networks typically use a hub
• Smaller networks typically use a switch
• Hubs and switches can also include a router

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

TRANSMISSION MEDIA
Transmission Media
• Transmission media are
materials or substances that
are capable of
communications signals

• There are two types of

transmission media:
• Physical transmission media
• Wireless transmission media

• Communication signals can

travel over different types of
media, especially when the
transmission is over long
distances

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Transmission Media
• Bandwidth is the amount of data, instructions, and information
that can travel over transmission media
• The higher the bandwidth, the more data transmitted
• Text-only transmission needs lower bandwidth
• Transmission of graphics, video, photos, games, and videos require
higher bandwidth

• Latency is the time taken for a signal to travel from one points
to another on a network
• Factors that can affect latency: distance between two points of travel,
transmission media type, number of nodes the data must travel over
the network

• For best performance, bandwidth should be high and latency

should be low
Transmission Media
• Physical transmission media
• Uses tangible materials to send communication signals
• Cables, wires, etc.
• Typically within/between buildings, or underground
• Example of widely-used physical transmission media:
• Coaxial cable
• Fiber-optic cable
• Twisted-pair cable
Transmission Media
Coaxial cable Fiber-optic cable Twisted-pair cable
- Consists of a single - The core consists of - Consists of one or
copper wire dozens/hundreds of more twisted pair of
surrounded by at least thin strands of glass insulated copper wires
three layers of or plastic that use light bundled together
insulating material, a to transmit signals - The wires are twisted
woven/braided metal, - Each strand is called to reduce noise
and a plastic outer optical fiber and is as (electrical
coating thin as a human hair disturbance)
- Often used in CATV - Fiber-optic cables - Widely used in
networks because it transmit data at higher network cabling and
can be cabled over rates compared to landline phone
longer distances coaxial and twisted- systems
pair cables
- Used for phone and
Internet networks
Transmission Media

Coaxial cable

Twisted-pair cable

Fiber-optic cable
Image source: Discovering Computers 2016
Transmission Media
• Wireless transmission media
• Communications signals are sent through the air
• More convenient than installing physical transmission media or for
locations where it is impossible to use physical transmission media
• Example of widely-used wireless transmission media:
• Infrared
• Broadcast radio
• Cellular radio
• Microwaves
• Communication satelites
Transmission Media
• Infrared
• Sends communications signals using infrared light waves
• Usually used by mobile computers and devices such as mouse,
printer, and smartphones
• Needs IrDA port to enable transfer of data from one device to
another

• Broadcast radio
• Distributes radio signals through the air over long distances
• Need transmitter and receiver or transceiver to send and receive
the signals
• Bluetooth, UWB and Wi-Fi used broadcast radio signals
Transmission Media
• Cellular radio
• A form of broadcast radio widely used for mobile communications
• A mobile phone uses high frequency radio waves to transmit voice
and digital data messages
• Categories of cellular radio transmissions: 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
• G stands for Generation

• Microwaves
• Radio waves that provide a high-speed signal transmission
• Sends signals from one microwave station to another
• Microwave stations are earth-based reflective dishes that contain
antenna, transceivers and other equipments
Transmission Media

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Transmission Media

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Transmission Media
• Communications satellite
• A space station that receives
microwave signals from earth-
based stations, amplifies
(strengthens) the signals, and
broadcasts the signals back over a
wide area to earth-based stations
• Transmission from an earth-based
station to a satellite is known as
uplink
• Transmission from a satellite to an
earth-based station is known as
downlink
• Used by pplications such as air
navigation, radio and TV
broadcasts, Internet connections,
and GPS (Global Positioning
System)

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Transmission Media

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE
Communications Software
• Communications software are programs and apps that do
the following:

Help users establish a connection Manage the transmission of data,

to another computer, mobile device, instructions, and information
or network

Provide an interface for users to

communicate with one another

• Communications software work with network standards

and protocols to make sure data moves through the
network correctly
NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS
STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS
Communications Standards & Protocols
• Network communications standards and protocols are needed to
ensure compatibility in moving data between the different
computers and devices on across networks

• A network standard defines guidelines that specify

• the way computers access the medium to which they are connected
• the type(s) of medium used
• the speeds used on different types of networks
• the type(s) of physical cable and/or wireless technology used

• A network protocol is a standard that outlines characteristics of how

two devices communicate on a network
• A protocol defines data format, coding schemes, error handling, and data
transfer sequences
Communications Standards & Protocols
• Standards:
Ethernet: network standard that specifies no central computer or device on
the network (nodes) should control when data can be transmitted

Token ring: specifies that computers and devices on the network share or
pass a special signal (token)

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi): identifies any network based on the 802.11

standard that specifies how two wireless devices communicate over the air
with each other; towers can cover 30-mile radius

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(Wi-Max): specifies how

wireless devices communicates over the air in a wide area; also known as
the 802.16 standard

Ultra Wideband (UWB): specifies how two UWB devices use short-range
radio waves to communicate at high speeds with each other

Infrared Data Association (IrDA): transmits data wirelessly via infrared (IR)
light waves
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Communications Standards & Protocols
• Protocols:
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP): defines how
messages (data) are routed from one end of a network to another

Bluetooth: defines how two Bluetooth devices use short-range radio waves
to transmit data

RFID: defines how a network uses radio signals to communicate with a tag
placed in or attached to an object, an animal, or a person

Near Field Communications (NFC): defines how a network uses close-

range radio signals to communicate between two devices or objects with
NFC technology; devices should be placed within 1-2 inches of each other

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Communications Standards & Protocols

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

Communications Standards & Protocols

Image source: Discovering Computers 2016

COMMUNICATION LINES
Communications Lines
• A dedicated line is a type of always-on physical
connection that is established between two
communication devices
• Dedicated lines can be either analog or digital
• Digital dedicated lines transmit data and information at faster
rates than analog dedicated lines
• Examples of dedicated lines:

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) T-Carrier

Cable television lines (CATV) Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)

Integrated Services Digital Asynchronous Transfer Mode

Network (ISDN) (ATM)

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Summary

Digital Communications
Networks
communications devices

Transmission Communications Standards and

media software protocols

Communications
lines
References/Credits
• Vermaat, M.E., Sebok, S.L., Freund, S.M., Campbell, J.T.,
and Frydenberg, M. (2016). Discovering Computers 2016:
Tools, Apps, Devices, and the Impact of Technology.
Singapore: CENGAGE Learning.