Lec 1

Introduction to Data
Communications

UTeM
 CONTENTS

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Components
1.3 Types of Data
1.4 Effectiveness
1.5 Direction of Data Flow
1.6 Data Transmission Mode
1.7 Protocol and Standardization
1.8 Standard Organization

UTeM
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lecture, you should be able to

 Elaborate the components of data
communications
 List the effectiveness of data
communications system
 Explain the types of data
 Elaborate directions and transmissions
mode of data
 Explain the standard and protocol

UTeM
 Why study
data communications?

 ICT is the fastest growing technologies in our

culture today
 Data communications and networking are
important elements that enable information to be
shared
 It is important to understand the concepts and
mechanisms of these technologies - what they do
and when to use

UTeM
 1.1 Introduction

 Data communication is the exchange of data

between two devices via some form of
transmission medium
 data - concepts and instructions presented in
whatever form agreed upon by the parties
creating and using the data
 Transmission Medium – Wired or wireless
 The communicating devices are part of the
communication system made up of hardware
and software
 Hardware – Computer, Switch, Hub, Router etc.
 Software – Ms Outlook, Web Browser, Yahoo
Messenger and etc

UTeM
 1.2 Components
 5 components of data communication

Sender Receiver
UTeM
  Message – the information (data) to be communicated;
text, numbers, pictures, sound, video, etc or
combination
 Sender – the device that sends the message; computer,
workstation, telephone handset, video camera, etc
 Receiver – the device that receives the message;
computer, workstation, telephone handset, video
camera, etc
 Medium – the physical path for the transmission;
copper wire, fiber-optic cable, laser, radio waves, etc

Protocol – the set of rules that govern data
communications; agreement between the
UTeMcommunicating devices
 It’s Question Time

 Identify and explain the components of a

communications system.
 Write and sketch diagram to
elaborate your answer.

UTeM
 1.3 Types of Data
 Text – Discrete, represented by bit patterns
(1 or 0)
 Numbers – Discrete, represented by bit
patterns (1 or 0)
 Image – Discrete, represented by bit
patterns, composed of a matrix of pixels.
 Audio – Continues, recording or
broadcasting
 Video – Continues or Continues + Discrete.

UTeM
 1.4 Effectiveness
 Characteristics of effective Data Communication
Systems
 Delivery
 The system must deliver data to the correct
destination
 Accuracy
 The system must deliver data accurately
 Timeliness
 The system must deliver data in a timely manner
 Easy Understanding
 The system must understand the data
 Noise
 The system must have method to prevent noise

UTeM
 1.5 Data Transmission
Flow
 Data Flow
 the direction of signal flow between
two linked devices.

Data Flow

Simplex Half-duplex Full-duplex

UTeM
  the communication is unidirectional –
Simplex –
only one of the two devices on a link can
transmit, the other is receive

Direction of Data

M
Se on
rv ito
er r

UTeM
  each device can both transmit and
half-duplex –
receive, but not at the same time.

Direction of Data at time 1

W No
or te
ks bo
ta ok
tio
n
Direction of Data at time 2
UTeM
  both devices can transmit
Full-duplex (or duplex) –
and receive simultaneously

Direction of Data

W No
or te
ks bo
ta ok
tio
n
UTeM
 It’s Question Time

 What is the difference between half-duplex and

full-duplex transmission mode?

UTeM
 1.6 Mode of Data
Transmission

Data Transmission

Parallel Serial

Synchronous Asynchronous

UTeM
Serial transmission – ONE bit
follows another.
 Require one communication channel to
send n bits at one time.

UTeM
Asynchronous transmission - In
asynchronous transmission, we send 1
start bit (0) at the beginning and 1 or
more stop bits (1s) at the end of each
byte. There may be a gap between each
byte.

UTeM
Synchronous transmission - we send
bits one after another without start/stop
bits or gaps.
It is the responsibility of the receiver to
group the bits.

UTeM
Parallel transmission – n
communication channels to send n
bits at one time

UTeM
 It’s Question Time

 What are the differences between parallel

and serial transmission?

 List TWO different techniques in serial

transmission and explain the differences?

UTeM
 1.7 Protocol

 is a set of rules (conventions) that govern all

aspects of data communication
 Defines what is communicated, how it is
communicated and when it is communicated
 The key elements – syntax (structure/format);
semantics (meaning of the structure); timing
(when to send and how fast)

UTeM
 1.8 Standard
• Provides a model for development that makes
it possible for a product to work regardless of
manufacturers
• De jure – legislated by official bodies
• De facto – industry standard, proprietary & non-
proprietary Standard

De facto De jure
(by fact) (by law)

UTeM
Standard Organizations
• ISO (International
( Organization for
Standardization) – dedicated to a worldwide
agreement on international standards

• ITU-T (International
( Telecommunications
Union) – related to the UN for telecommunications

• ANSI (American National Standards

Institute) – US non-profit org, representing US to ISO
and ITU-T

UTeM
Continue…
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers) – largest professional
society developing standards for computing,
communication, electrical engineering, electronics

• EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance) - non-

profit org, promoting standards for electronics
manufacturing

• Other government regulatory agencies, e.g.

SIRIM

UTeM
 Any
Questions?
Learning Outcomes

 At the end of this lecture, you should be able to

 Elaborate the components of data communications
 List the effectiveness of data communications
system
 Explain the types of data
 Elaborate directions and transmissions mode of data
 Explain the standard and protocol

UTeM