Data
Communication
Data Communication 2
Communication is the exchange of information
from one entity to the other using a transmission
medium
Data Communication is the exchange of data (in
the form of 0’s and 1’s) between two devices
(computers) via some form of the transmission
medium using a protocol
in simplest form, it is the transfer of data or
information between a source and a receiver
Data Communication 3
A data communication system is made up of 5
components:
Sender
Receiver
Message
Medium
Protocol
Data Communication 4
Sender:- It is the device which sends the data/messages
it can be a computer, workstation, telephone handset
Receiver:- It is the device which receives the
data/messages
it can be a computer, workstation, telephone handset
Message:- It is the data/information to be communicated
popular forms of information include text, pictures, audio,
video
Medium:- It is the physical path by which a message travels
from sender to receiver
some examples include twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, radio
waves
Protocol:- It is the set of rules that governs the
communications
it represents an agreement between the communicating
devices
without a protocol, two devices may be connected but not
communicating
Data Communication 5
Different modes for data communication;
Simplex mode, data can flow in one
direction only
A sender can only send data and cannot
receive it
Example: Data sent from computer to
printer , loudspeaker, keyboard ,Monitor
etc
Half-duplex mode, data can flow in both
directions but only one at a time
Data is sent and received alternatively
Example: walkie-talkie
Full duplex-mode, data can flow in both
directions at the same time
It is the fastest mode of data
communication
Example: Telephone communication
system
Data Communication
6
Different types of data
communication;
Parallel Communication
when multiple bits (usually 8 bits or
a byte/character) are
sent/received simultaneously
more speed but with a cost since
multiple wires cost more than a
single wire
Used for short distance
communication
Example: connection between a
computer and a printer
Serial Communication
when bits are sent/received
sequentially
it reduces costs for wire but
also slows the speed of
communication
Used for long distance
communication
Example: connection over a
WAN link
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 : Telephonic
Conversations, Video Conferencing
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.
Example: Email , Letters
Data Communication 10
Different signals of data
communication;
Analog signal (continuous):
Transmitted power varies over
a continuous range
Analog signals are a type of
signal sent in a continuous
wave. These waves can vary in
both amplitude and
frequency.
Example: sound, light, and
radio waves
Digital signal (discrete):
Sequence of voltage pulses
represented in binary form
Example: Computer
generated data signal is
digital
Data Communication 12
Computers generate digital data signal, but the
telephone lines that carries it are analog
Digital transmission of data is preferred over
analog transmission of data due to lower cost,
higher transmission speeds, and lower error rate
When digital data signal is to be sent over an
analog facility, it must be converted to analog
form
conversion of digital signal to analog form is known
as modulation
conversion of analog signal to digital form is known
as demodulation
Data Communication
13
MODEM is short for
MOdulator/DEModulator
It is a special device used for
conversion of digital data signal
to analog form (modulation) and
vice-versa (demodulation)
It is an essential piece of
hardware required when two
digital devices (e.g. two
computers) want to
communicate over an analog
transmission channel (e.g.
telephone line)
Thank You
