DATA

COMMUNICATION

By: Kahkishan Sanam

Just like humans communicate in a variety of ways—
by speaking, texting, and emailing—data similarly
transfers from one place to another using different
mediums.
This process of moving electronic and digital data is
called data communication.
Definition
 it can also defined as exchange of data between two
devices via some form of transmission media such as a
cable, wire or it can be air or vacuum also.
 For occurrence of data communication, communicating

devices must be a part of communication system made up

of a combination of hardware or software devices and
programs.
Basic Elements of Data
Communication

 Sending Device:
The device that sends message is called sending device. It is
also called source or transmitter .e.g.: computer, fax machine,
mobile phone etc.

Receiving Device:
The device that receive mess is called receiving device.it is
also called sink. E.g.: computer, printer, fax machine, mobile
phone etc.
 Communication Devices:
Communication devices a used to transmit messages btw
sending and receiving devices through communication
medium. E.eg.: modem and network card

 Transmission Medium:
It is use to carry messages from one place to another. Medium
can be physical cable or wireless connection
 Protocol:
The set of rules that govern the communication between
computers. These rules are followed by both the sender and
receiver.
Functions that a protocol performs

 Data sequencing:
Data sequencing breaks down a long message into smaller
chunks called packets. Rules of data sequencing define how
these packets of data are numbered to prevent losing or
duplicating them.

Data routing:
Data routing rules define the most efficient route between
sender and receiver.
 Flow control:
This protocol prevents a fast sender from overwhelming a slower
receiver by regulating the flow of data, like a traffic controller.

 Error control:
These types of rules detect errors in messages and reroute
messages to the correct receiver. Often, the message must be
discarded by the receiver and reissued by the sender.
 Order of transmission:
This set of rules makes sure all the network nodes have access
to the lines of communication based on priority (for example,
chronological order of sent messages).
Properties of good communication:
Delivery
Deliver data to right device or user.

Accuracy
Deliver data accurately with no alterations and loss.

 Timeliness
Deliver within the expected time period.
e.g: real-time transmission as television transmission.
Types of Data Transmission
Data transmission can occur transmission.
in two primary ways:

 Serial Transmission:  Parallel Transmission:

In serial transmission, data is In parallel transmission, multiple bits
transmitted bit by bit over a single are transmitted simultaneously over
communication channel. separate communication channels.
It is commonly used for long-distance It allows for faster data transfer but is
communication and is more reliable more susceptible to errors in long-
but slower compared to parallel distance transmissions.
Modes of data communication:

 The way data is transmitted from one place to another is

call mode of data transmission.

 Types:
a. Simplex
b. Half-duplex
c. Full-duplex
Simplex mode:

In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, as

on a one-way street. Only one of the two devices on a link
can transmit, the other can only receive. The simplex
mode can use the entire capacity of the channel to send
data in one direction.

Example: Keyboard and traditional monitors. The

keyboard can only introduce input, the monitor can only
give the output.
 Half-duplex:

In half-duplex mode, each station can both transmit and

receive, but not at the same time. When one device is
sending, the other can only receive, and vice versa. The half-
duplex mode is used in cases where there is no need for
communication in both directions at the same time. The entire
capacity of the channel can be utilized for each direction.

Example: Walkie-talkie in which message is sent one at a

time and messages are sent in both directions.
Full-duplex

 In full-duplex mode, both stations can transmit and receive

simultaneously.
 Full-duplex mode is used when communication in both

directions is required all the time. The capacity of the

channel, however, must be divided between the two
directions.

Example: Telephone Network in which there is communication

between two persons by a telephone line, through which both
can talk and listen at the same time.
Communication Channels

 Communication channels are the medium that connects two

or more workstations. Workstations can be connected by
either wired media or wireless media. It is also known as a
transmission medium. The transmission medium or channel
is a link that carries messages between two or more
devices.
Guided media transmission

In this transmission medium, the physical link is created

using wires or cables between two or more computers or
devices, and then the data is transmitted using these cables
in terms of signals.
Types:

 Twisted pair cable

◦ UTP
◦ STP
 Coaxial Cable
 Optical fibers

◦ Core:
◦ Cladding
◦ Sheath
Twisted Pair
 It is the most common form of wire used in
communication. In a twisted-pair cable, two
identical wires are wrapped together in a
double helix.
 The twisting of the wire reduces the crosstalk.
It is known as the leaking of a signal from one
wire to another due to which signal can corrupt
and can cause network errors.
 The twisting protects the wire from internal
crosstalk as well as external forms of signal
interference.
 Types of Twisted Pair Cable :

 It is used in computers and telephones

1. Unshielded Twisted Pair widely. As the name suggests, there is
(UTP): no external shielding so it does not
protects from external interference. It is
cheaper than STP.

 It offers greater protection from crosstalk

2. Shielded Twisted Pair due to shield. Due to shielding, it
(STP): protects from external interference. It is
heavier and costlier as compare to UTP.
Coaxial Cable:
 It consists of a solid wire core that is
surrounded by one or more foil or wire
shields.
 The inner core of the coaxial cable
carries the signal and the outer shield
provides the ground.
 It is widely used for television signals
and also used by large corporations in
building security systems.
 Data transmission of this cable is
better but expensive as compared to
twisted pair.
Optical fibers:
 Optical fiber is an important technology. It transmits large
amounts of data at very high speeds due to which it is widely
used in internet cables.
 It carries data as a light that travels inside a thin glass fiber.

The fiber optic cable is made up of three pieces:

1. Core: Core is the piece through which light travels. It is generally created
using glass or plastic.
2. Cladding: It is the covering of the core and reflects the light back to the
core.
3. Sheath: It is the protective covering that protects fiber cable from the
environment.
Unguided Media

The unguided transmission media is a transmission mode in

which the signals are propagated from one device to another
device wirelessly. Signals can wave through the air, water, or
vacuum. It is generally used to transmit signals in all
directions.
Types : Microwave offers Microwav
communication without the
use of cables. Microwave
e
signals are just like radio and
television signals.

Radio waves Infrared

When communication is
carried out by radio
frequencies, then it is It is short-distance
termed radio waves communication and can pass
transmission. through any object. It is generally
used in TV remotes, wireless
mouse, etc.
Types of data transmission

 Asynchronous

 Synchronous
Differenc
Asynchronous transmission Synchronous transmission
Data is transmitted character by character. Data is transmitted block by block.
The sender and receiver are not The sender and receiver are synchronized
synchronized with each other. with each other

Time interval between two characters is not Time interval between two characters is fix.
fix.
It uses start and stop bit to control data It uses clock signals to control data
transmission. transmission.
It provides less efficient and slower data It provides more efficient and faster data
transmission. transmission.
Types of Data Communication Based upon Direction
(Any Cast, Unicast, Multicast, Broadcast, Geo cast)
Unicast
Unicast is a one-to-one communication method where data is
sent from one sender to one specific receiver.
 Usage: Commonly used in internet communications, such

as sending an email or a file from one computer to another.

 Characteristics:

◦ Direct connection between sender and receiver.

◦ Requires a unique address for each communication.
◦ Efficient for point-to-point communication.
Broadcast
 Definition: Broadcast is a one-to-all communication
method where data is sent from one sender to all possible
receivers in a network.
 Usage: Often used in local area networks (LANs) to send

messages to all devices.

 Characteristics:

◦ All devices on the network receive the data.

◦ Can lead to network congestion if overused.
◦ Useful for sending the same information to multiple devices
simultaneously.
Multicast
Multicast is a one-to-many communication method where
data is sent from one sender to a specific group of receivers.
 Usage: Commonly used for streaming media, video

conferencing, and online gaming.

 Characteristics:

◦ Only devices that are part of the multicast group receive the data.
◦ More efficient than broadcast since it reduces unnecessary data
transmission to devices not interested in the data.
◦ Requires multicast addressing.
 Anycast
Anycast is a one-to-nearest communication method where
data is sent from one sender to the nearest receiver in a
group of potential receivers.
 Usage: Often used in content delivery networks (CDNs) and

DNS services to direct users to the closest server.

 Characteristics:

◦ The routing infrastructure determines the nearest receiver.

◦ Provides load balancing and redundancy.
◦ Useful for optimizing response times and reducing latency.
Geocast
Geocast is a form of multicast communication that targets a
specific geographical area, sending data to all devices within
that area.
 Usage: Useful for location-based services, emergency

alerts, and context-aware applications.

 Characteristics:

◦ Recipients are determined based on their geographic location.

◦ Effective for delivering targeted information to users in a specific
area.
◦ Can leverage GPS or other location services for accuracy.