Data transmission
Data packet
Data packet is a small piece of data. It is divided into 3 different parts. Packet header, pay
load and trailer.
Packet header – contains the address where the data is going and where it is coming from.
Pay load – contains the data you want to send.
Trailer – contains error checking methods
Packet switching
A method of transmitting data where packets will take different paths. In it packet header
packets will be having packet numbers. So that the correct order can be regenerated.
Methods of data transition
Serial – This is where 1 bit is transmitted at a given time. We use 1 wire. It is slow as only 1
bit is transmitted at a time but has less chance of error.
Parallel – A method a transition were multiple bits are sent at a given time. It is fast but has
a higher chance of error. It is also more expensive as we are using more wires.
Simplex – Simplex data only goes 1 direction for example going from a keyboard to a PC.
Half duplex – Data goes both ways but only 1 direction at a time for example a walkie-talkie
Full duplex – Data goes both ways at the same time like a phone call or touch screen.
Encryption
Encryption is a method of securing data by making it meaningless. A key is used to scramble
the data. The receiver will also have a decryption key. Data before encryption is called plain
text. Data after encryption is called cipher text. This data is now meaningless. Once the
information is received the reviver uses a decryption key. The data now has meaning again.
Symmetric is a type of key witch uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt the data.
Asymmetric is a type of key that uses a different key to encrypt and decrypt the data.
Detecting errors in data transmission
Parity check - can use an odd or even check method. Each byte has 7 bits and 1 extra bit
called a parity bit. The parity bit is normally the first or last bit of data in the byte
(1)0010001
\
Odd parity bit
Before transmission the parity check is set to odd or even parity. The number of 1s is in the
7 bits of data is totalled. If an odd parity check is used, then a 1 is added as a parity bit. This
is because all the 1s in the byte now add up to 2, which is an even number. When the parity
bit has been added.
Limitations:
1. If the odder of the bits have changed it will not be seen as an error for example
10010010 then it becomes 10100001 the error will not be detected.
2. If you are using an odd parity check and the amount of 1s or 0s changes but are
still odd then the error will not be detected.
Echo check
An echo check involves the data that was send to be sent back to the sender to check if an
error had occurred. If anything changed it will send the information again.
Check sum
A calculation is performed on the data sent to create a check sum value and the receiver will
do the same calculation and see if the received value is the same.
ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request)
When an error occurs and either the sending devise will ask the receiving device if it
received the data correctly or the receiving device will need to tell the sending device it
didn’t receive the data correctly. This will allow the data to be resent.
Check digit
This checks error created by humans. These are some methods to check:
Check digit – is a value previously calculated from the data that will be entered at some
point, for example, the barcode number or an ISBN number. This number stored with the
data. When the data is entered, for example, the barcode is scanned, the check digit is
recalculated from the data entered. If the previous calculated check digit and stored check
digit match the data is correct. If they don’t match the data is wrong.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A USB device such a memory stick is a device that transmits data. A USB cable can be used
to connect things like a mouse and keyboard to a computer. A USB cable used serial
transmission to transmit data. It is a special type of serial data transmission connection that
is used to transmit data at high speeds. It is play and play and you don’t need to look for any
additional drivers. The length is limited and can only go 5 meter. It is fast but not the fastest.
It can also transmit data.
