What is Data Communication?

• Data communication is the exchange of data (in

the form of 0s and 1s) between two devices via
some form of transmission medium (such as a
wire cable)
• Data communication is considered local if the
communicating devices are in the same building
or a similarly restricted geographical area
• It is considered remote if the devices are farther
apart
Fundamental characteristics of
effectiveness data communication
• The effectiveness of a data communication system depends
on 3 fundamental characteristics:
1. Delivery. The system must deliver data to the correct
destination
2. Accuracy. The system must deliver data accurately
3. Timeliness. The system must deliver data in a timely manner
Components of a data
communication system

Step 1: Step 1:
Step 2: Step 2:
Step 3: Step 3:
…… ……
…... …...

Protocol Protocol

Message

Transmission medium
Sender Receiver
Components of a data
communication system (cont.)
• Message. The message is the information to be
communicated. It can consist of text, number, pictures,
sound, or video-or any combination of these (multimedia).
• Sender. The sender is the device that sends the data
message. It can be a computer, workstation, telephone
handset, video camera, and so on.
• Receiver. The receiver is the device that receive the
message
• Medium. The transmission medium is the physical path by
which a message travels from sender to receiver. It can
consist of twisted par wire, coaxial cable, laser, or radio
wares (terrestrial or satellite microwave).
• Protocol. A protocol is a set of rules that govern data
communication. It represents an agreement between the
communicating devices.
Analogue and Digital Signals

We seem to live in an analogue world –

things can be louder or quieter, hotter or colder, longer
or shorter, on a “sliding scale”.
Analogue and Digital Signals

We seem to live in an analogue world –

things can be louder or quieter, hotter or colder, longer
or shorter, on a “sliding scale”.

If we record sound on a tape recorder, we’re putting an

analogue signal onto the tape.
Analogue and Digital Signals

We seem to live in an analogue world –

things can be louder or quieter, hotter or colder, longer
or shorter, on a “sliding scale”.

If we record sound on a tape recorder, we’re putting an

analogue signal onto the tape.

Digital signals aren’t on a sliding scale – they’re either

ON or OFF. (We call these “1” and “0”.) There’s no “in
between”.
Analogue and Digital Signals
Are these analogue or digital?

Volume control on a radio

Traffic lights
Motor bike throttle
Dimmer switch
Light switch
Water tap
Music on a CD
Music on a tape
Analogue and Digital Signals
A security floodlight
switches on when
you approach.

It has an analogue input (how much infra red it sees from

you), and produces a digital output (the floodlight is either
on or off).
We could call it an
“analogue to digital converter”.
Analogue and Digital Signals
The problem with analogue signals is noise – hiss on the
sound and speckly dots on the picture.
Analogue and Digital Signals
The problem with analogue signals is noise – hiss on the
sound and speckly dots on the picture.

When we send a signal over a long distance, the signal

gets weaker, so we need to boost (amplify) it.
Analogue and Digital Signals
The problem with analogue signals is noise – hiss on the
sound and speckly dots on the picture.

When we send a signal over a long distance, the signal

gets weaker, so we need to boost (amplify) it.

The problem is that we end up boosting the noise as well.

Analogue and Digital Signals
If we convert the signal into digital form, then send it, it still
gets weaker and noise still creeps in.
Analogue and Digital Signals
If we convert the signal into digital form, then send it, it still
gets weaker and noise still creeps in.
However, because it’s digital, the receiver can work out what
the signal is supposed to look like behind all that noise, and
reconstruct a “clean” signal.
Analogue and Digital Signals
If we convert the signal into digital form, then send it, it still
gets weaker and noise still creeps in.
However, because it’s digital, the receiver can work out what
the signal is supposed to look like behind all that noise, and
reconstruct a “clean” signal.
So we don’t end up boosting the noise along with the signal.
This is why you get such good pictures on your digital satellite
TV.
Analogue and Digital Signals
Example: if you have a bad photocopy of a piece of text, and
you photocopy that, you’ll get a worse photocopy.
Analogue and Digital Signals
Example: if you have a bad photocopy of a piece of text, and
you photocopy that, you’ll get a worse photocopy.

But if you read the text yourself, the “software” in your brain
can “reconstruct” the text, because you know what the letter
shapes are supposed to be even though they’re blurred.
Analogue and Digital Signals
Summary:
Analogue signals suffer from noise, but don’t need such
complex equipment.

Digital signals need fast, clever electronics, but we can get rid
of any noise.
Analogue and Digital Signals
Summary
Analogue signals suffer from noise, but don’t need such
complex equipment.

Digital signals need fast, clever electronics, but we can get rid
of any noise.
We can also use compression techniques to squeeze a lot of
information in.
Fibre optic cables have a huge bandwidth because light is
such a high-frequency wave