Data Communication

LECTURE 1
Fundamentals of Data
Communication and Signals

Nusrat Jahan Urme

Adjunct Lecturer
North Western University
 Course Overview

• Fundamentals of Data Communication and

signals
• Link layer functionalities
• Introduction to modulation techniques
• Local area network technologies
• Internetworking devices
• Transport layer protocols
• Applications layer protocols

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 Course Overview

• Communication medium and waves

• Pulse systems
• Error correction
• Network security measures

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 Data Communication
• Data Communication is a process of exchanging data or
information
• In case of computer networks this exchange is done
between two devices over a transmission medium.
• This process involves a communication system which is
made up of hardware and software. The hardware part
involves the sender and receiver devices and the
intermediate devices through which the data passes. The
software part involves certain rules which specify what is
to be communicated, how it is to be communicated and
when. It is also called as a Protocol.

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 Characteristics of Data Communication
1. Delivery: The data should be delivered to the correct destination
and correct user.

2. Accuracy: The communication system should deliver the data

accurately, without introducing any errors. The data may get
corrupted during transmission affecting the accuracy of the delivered
data.

3. Timeliness: Audio and Video data has to be delivered in a timely

manner without any delay; such a data delivery is called real time
transmission of data.

4. Jitter: It is the variation in the packet arrival time. Uneven Jitter may
affect the timeliness of data being transmitted.

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 Components of Data Communication
• 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.

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 Components of Data Communication
• 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, Sonali sends a message to Chetan. If
Sonali writes in Hindi and Chetan cannot understand Hindi, it is a
meaningless conversation.

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 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

2. Numbers
• Numbers include combination of digits from 0 to 9.
• It is stored as a pattern of bits. Prevalent encoding system :
ASCII, Unicode

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 Data Representation
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.
• 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.

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 Data Representation
• 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

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

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 Type of data communication
Simplex Communication:
• In Simplex, communication is unidirectional
• Only one of the devices sends the data and the other one only receives the
data.
• Example: In the following diagram: a cpu send data while a monitor only
receives data.

Figure: Simplex mode of communication

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 Type of data communication
Half Duplex communication:
• 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 viceversa (as shown
in following figure)
• Example: A walkie-talkie.

Figure: Half Duplex Mode of Communication

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 Type of data communication
Full-duplex communication:
• In Full duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive at the same time.
• Example: mobile phones

Figure: Full Duplex Mode of Communication

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 Computer Network
• A computer network can be defined as a collection of nodes.
• A node can be any device capable of transmitting or receiving data.
• The communicating nodes have to be connected by communication
links.

A Compute network should ensure

• Reliability of the data communication process
• Security of the data
• Performance by achieving higher throughput and smaller delay times

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 Categories of Network
Networks are categorized on the basis of their size. The three basic
categories of computer networks are:

A. Local Area Networks (LAN) is usually limited to a few kilometers of

area. It may be privately owned and could be a network inside an office
on one of the floor of a building or a LAN could be a network consisting
of the computers in a entire building.

B. Wide Area Network (WAN) is made of all the networks in a

(geographically) large area.

C. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is of size between LAN & WAN. It

is larger than LAN but smaller than WAN.

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 Protocol
• A Protocol is one of the components of a data communications
system. Without protocol communication cannot occur. The sending
device cannot just send the data and expect the receiving device to
receive and further interpret it correctly.
• When the sender sends a message it may consist of text, number,
images, etc. which are converted into bits and grouped into blocks to
be transmitted and often certain additional information called control
information is also added to help the receiver interpret the data.
• For successful communication to occur, the sender and receiver
must agree upon certain rules called protocol.

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 Elements of a Protocol
There are three key elements of a protocol.
A. Syntax
• It means the structure or format of the data.
• It is the arrangement of data in a particular order.
B. Semantics
• It tells the meaning of each section of bits and indicates the
interpretation of each section.
• It also tells what action/decision is to be taken based on the
interpretation.

C. Timing
• It tells the sender about the readiness of the receiver to receive the
data
• It tells the sender at what rate the data should be sent to the receiver
to avoid overwhelming the receiver.

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 Physical Structures
Type of Connection

A network is two or more devices connected through links. A link is a

communications pathway that transfers data from one device to another.

For visualization purposes, it is simplest to imagine any link as a line

drawn between two points. For communication to occur, two devices
must be connected in some way to the same link at the same time.

There are two possible types of connections: point-to-point and

multipoint.

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 Physical Structures
Point-to-Point:

A point-to-point connection provides a dedicated link between two

devices. The entire capacity of the link is reserved for transmission
between those two devices. Most point-to-point connections use an
actual length of wire or cable to connect the two ends, but other options,
such as microwave or satellite links, are also possible. When you
change television channels by infrared remote control, you are
establishing a point-to-point connection between the remote control and
the television's control system.

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 Physical Structures
Multipoint:

A multipoint (also called multidrop) connection is one in which more

than two specific devices share a single link.

In a multipoint environment, the capacity of the channel is shared,

either spatially or temporally. If several devices can use the link
simultaneously, it is a spatially shared connection. If users must take
turns, it is a timeshared connection.

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 Physical Structures

Figure: Types of connections: point-to-point and multipoint

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 Physical Topology
The term physical topology refers to the way in which a network is laid
out physically. Two or more devices connect to a link; two or more
links form a topology. The topology of a network is the geometric
representation of the relationship of all the links and linking devices
(usually called nodes) to one another.
 Physical Topology
Types of Network Topology
The arrangement of a network that comprises nodes and connecting
lines via sender and receiver is referred to as Network Topology. The
various network topologies are:

1) Mesh Topology
2) Star Topology
3) Bus Topology
4) Ring Topology
5) Hybrid Topology
 Physical Topology
Mesh Topology:
In a mesh topology, every device is connected to another device via a
particular channel.
 Physical Topology
Every device is connected to another via dedicated channels. These
channels are known as links.

Suppose, the N number of devices are connected with each other in a

mesh topology, the total number of ports that are required by each
device is N-1. In Figure 1, there are 5 devices connected to each other,
hence the total number of ports required by each device is 4. The total
number of ports required = N * (N-1).

Suppose, N number of devices are connected with each other in a

mesh topology, then the total number of dedicated links required to
connect them is NC2 i.e. N(N-1)/2. In Figure 1, there are 5 devices
connected to each other, hence the total number of links required is
5*4/2 = 10.
 Physical Topology
Advantages of Mesh Topology:
• Communication is very fast between the nodes.
• Mesh Topology is robust.
• The fault is diagnosed easily. Data is reliable because data is
transferred among the devices through dedicated channels or links.
• Provides security and privacy.
 Physical Topology
Drawbacks of Mesh Topology:
• Installation and configuration are difficult.
• The cost of cables is high as bulk wiring is required, hence suitable
for less number of devices.
• The cost of maintenance is high.

A common example of mesh topology is the internet backbone, where

various internet service providers are connected to each other via
dedicated channels. This topology is also used in military
communication systems and aircraft navigation systems.
 Physical Topology
Star Topology:
In Star Topology, all the devices are connected to a single hub through
a cable. This hub is the central node and all other nodes are
connected to the central node. The hub can be passive in nature i.e.,
not an intelligent hub such as broadcasting devices, at the same time
the hub can be intelligent known as an active hub. Active hubs have
repeaters in them. Coaxial cables or RJ-45 cables are used to connect
the computers.
 Physical Topology
Advantages of Star Topology:
• If N devices are connected to each other in a star topology, then the
number of cables required to connect them is N. So, it is easy to set
up.
• Each device requires only 1 port i.e. to connect to the hub,
therefore the total number of ports required is N.
• It is Robust. If one link fails only that link will affect and not other
than that.
• Easy to fault identification and fault isolation.
• Star topology is cost-effective as it uses inexpensive coaxial cable.
 Physical Topology
Drawbacks of Star Topology:
• If the concentrator (hub) on which the whole topology relies fails,
the whole system will crash down.
• The cost of installation is high.
• Performance is based on the single concentrator i.e. hub.

A common example of star topology is a local area network (LAN) in

an office where all computers are connected to a central hub. This
topology is also used in wireless networks where all devices are
connected to a wireless access point.
 Physical Topology
Bus Topology:
Bus Topology is a network type in which every computer and network
device is connected to a single cable. It is bi-directional. It is a multi-
point connection and a non-robust topology because if the backbone
fails the topology crashes.
 Physical Topology
Advantages of Bus Topology:

• If N devices are connected to each other in a bus topology, then the

number of cables required to connect them is 1, known as
backbone cable, and N drop lines are required.
• Coaxial or twisted pair cables are mainly used in bus-based
networks that support up to 10 Mbps.
• The cost of the cable is less compared to other topologies, but it is
used to build small networks.
• Bus topology is familiar technology as installation and
troubleshooting techniques are well known.
 Physical Topology
Drawbacks of Bus Topology:

• A bus topology is quite simpler, but still, it requires a lot of cabling.

• If the common cable fails, then the whole system will crash down.
• If the network traffic is heavy, it increases collisions in the network.
• Adding new devices to the network would slow down networks.
• Security is very low.

A common example of bus topology is the Ethernet LAN, where all

devices are connected to a single coaxial cable or twisted pair cable.
This topology is also used in cable television networks.
 Physical Topology
Ring Topology:
In a Ring Topology, it forms a ring connecting devices with exactly two
neighboring devices. A number of repeaters are used for Ring
topology with a large number of nodes, because if someone wants to
send some data to the last node in the ring topology with 100 nodes,
then the data will have to pass through 99 nodes to reach the 100th
node. Hence to prevent data loss repeaters are used in the network.
 Physical Topology
Advantages of Ring Topology:
• The data transmission is high-speed.
• The possibility of collision is minimum in this type of topology.
• Cheap to install and expand.
• It is less costly than a star topology.

Drawbacks of Ring Topology:

• The failure of a single node in the network can cause the entire
network to fail.
• Troubleshooting is difficult in this topology.
• The addition of stations in between or the removal of stations can
disturb the whole topology.
• Less secure.
 Physical Topology
Hybrid Topology:
This topological technology is the combination of all the various types
of topologies. Hybrid Topology is used when the nodes are free to take
any form. It means these can be individuals such as Ring or Star
topology or can be a combination of various types of topologies.
 Physical Topology
Advantages of Hybrid Topology:
• This topology is very flexible.
• The size of the network can be easily expanded by adding new
devices.

Drawbacks of Hybrid Topology:

• It is challenging to design the architecture of the Hybrid Network.
• Hubs used in this topology are very expensive.
• The infrastructure cost is very high as a hybrid network requires a
lot of cabling and network devices.
 Physical Topology
A common example of a hybrid topology is a university campus
network. The network may have a backbone of a star topology, with
each building connected to the backbone through a switch or router.
Within each building, there may be a bus or ring topology connecting
the different rooms and offices. The wireless access points also create
a mesh topology for wireless devices. This hybrid topology allows for
efficient communication between different buildings while providing
flexibility and redundancy within each building.