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2.1.2 Data Transmission

The document discusses data transmission including direction, methods, and USB. Direction can be simplex, half-duplex, or full-duplex. Methods are serial or parallel. USB allows both half and full duplex and consists of four wires for power and data transmission.

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19 views9 pages

2.1.2 Data Transmission

The document discusses data transmission including direction, methods, and USB. Direction can be simplex, half-duplex, or full-duplex. Methods are serial or parallel. USB allows both half and full duplex and consists of four wires for power and data transmission.

Uploaded by

brsizwe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2.1.

2 Data transmission
• Data transmission can be either over a short distance (for example, computer to printer) or over longer
distances (for example, from one computer to another in a global network).
Three factors need to be considered when transmitting data:
» the direction of data transmission (for example, can data transmit in one direction only, or in both
directions)
» the method of transmission (for example, how many bits can be sent at the same time)
» how will data be synchronised (that is, how to make sure the received data is in the correct order).
• These factors are usually considered by a communication protocol.

1 Direction of data transmission


Simplex data transmission
• Simplex mode occurs when data can be sent in ONE DIRECTION ONLY (for example, from sender to
receiver).
• An example of this would be sending data from a computer to a printer.
Half-duplex data transmission
• Half-duplex mode occurs when data is sent in BOTH DIRECTIONS but NOT AT THE SAME TIME (for example,
data can be sent from ‘A’ to ‘B’ and from ‘B’ to ‘A’ along the same transmission line, but they can’t both
be done at the same time).
• An example of this would be a walkie-talkie where a message can be sent in one direction only at a time;
but messages can be both received and sent.
Full-duplex data transmission
• Full-duplex mode occurs when data can be sent in BOTH DIRECTIONS AT THE SAME TIME (for example,
data can be sent from ‘A’ to ‘B’ and from ‘B’ to ‘A’ along the same transmission line simultaneously).
• An example of this would be a broadband internet connection.
2 Method of transmission

• Serial data transmission occurs when data is sent ONE BIT AT A TIME over a SINGLE WIRE/CHANNEL. Bits are
sent one after the other as a single stream.

• (Note: Serial data transmission can be simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex.)


• Serial data transmission works well over long distances. However, the data is transmitted at a slower rate
than parallel data transmission. Because only one channel/wire is used, data will arrive at its destination
fully synchronised (i.e. in the correct order).
• An example of its use is when connecting a computer to a printer via a USB connection
• Parallel data transmission occurs when SEVERAL BITS OF DATA (usually one byte) are sent down SEVERAL
CHANNELS/WIRES all at the same time.
• Each channel/wire transmits one bit:

• (Note: Parallel data transmission can be simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex.) Parallel data transmission
works well over short distances. Over longer distances (for example, over 20 metres), data can become
skewed (that is, the data can arrive unsynchronised) and bits can arrive out of order.
• The longer the wire, the worse this can become. It is, however, a faster method of data transmission than
serial.
• The internal circuits in a computer use parallel data transmission since the distance travelled between
components is very short and high-speed transmission is essential.
Comparison of serial and parallel data transmission methods
2.1.3 Universal serial bus (USB)
• As the name suggests, the universal serial bus (USB) is a form of serial data transmission.
• USB is now the most common type of input/output port found on computers and has led to a
standardisation method for the transfer of data between devices and a computer.
• It is important to note that USB allows both half-duplex and full-duplex data transmission.

• the USB cable consists of a four-wired shielded cable, with two wires for power (red and black). The other
two wires (white and green) are for data transmission.
• When a device is plugged into a computer using one of the USB ports:
» the computer automatically detects that a device is present (this is due to a small change in the voltage
on the data signal wires in the USB cable)
» the device is automatically recognised, and the appropriate device driver software is loaded up so that
the computer and device can communicate effectively
» if a new device is detected, the computer will look for the device driver that matches the device; if this is
not available, the user is prompted to download the appropriate driver software (some systems do this
automatically and the user will see a notice asking for permission to connect to the device website).
• A new type of USB connector, referred to as USB-C, is now becoming more common in laptops and
tablets/phones.
• This is a 24-pin symmetrical connector which means it will fit into a USB-C port either way round.
• It is much smaller and thinner than older USB connectors, offers 100 watt (20 volt) power connectivity,
which means full-sized devices can now be charged and it can carry data at 10 gigabits per second (10
Gbps); this means it can now support 4K video delivery.
• USB-C is backward compatible (to USB 2.0 and 3.0) provided a suitable adaptor is used, and is expected
to become the new industry standard (universal) format.

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