DATA TRANSMISSION
This deals with the means of sending and receiving data on networked computers.
Transmitted data can be in analogue or in digital form.
Digital Data: Data is in discrete value, that is, in ones and zeros.
Analogue Data: Data is in continuously varying form, e.g. human voice.
Synchronous and asynchronous Transmission
Synchronous Transmission: This is whereby data is sent in blocks (packets) at any given time.
This method is faster in transmitting data.
Asynchronous Transmission: This is whereby data is send character by character over a
transmission channel. This is much slower as compared to synchronous transmission.
Transmission Modes
Transmission modes include Simplex, Duplex (Full duplex) and Half Duplex
Simplex Mode:
This is a mode of data transmission in which data travels only in one direction.
Thus one computer acts as the sender and the other as a receiver. See diagram A, above.
Half Duplex:
This is a transmission mode in which data travels in both directions but not simultaneously.
The receiver waits until the sender has finished sending data in order for him to respond.
Duplex/Full Duplex:
This is a transmission mode in which transmission is possible in both directions simultaneously.
There is no need for one to wait until the channel is free from data.
Transmission impairments
This refers to change in signal form as it propagates through the transmission channel.
Transmission impairments include:
Attenuation: The loss of signal power as it moves through the transmission channel.
Noise: Occurs when an unwanted signal from other sources than the transmitter enters the transmission
channel.
Bandwidth
Refers to the caring capacity of a transmission channel (measured in bits per second: bps).
It determines the amount of data a channel can transmit at a given period of time.
Transmission Media
Refers to forms of media through which data is transferred from one point to another. These
include:
1. Twisted Pair:
These are cables with two copper wires of about 1 millimetre thick. The wires are twisted to avoid
crosstalk.
2. Coaxial cable:
It is a stiff copper wire surrounded by an insulating material. It has less attenuation than twisted
pair, has high bandwidth and has low error rates.
3. Fibre optics:
A media that uses light to transmit data. It has less attenuation, has very high bandwidth and
cannot corrode (not affected by corrosion), it is thin and therefore has less weight.
4. Infra-red waves:
Refers to data transmission in form of waves as through some remote controls of televisions.
It has enormous bandwidth. However, infrared waves do not travel through obstacles like buildings,
they only work for very short distances, affect eyes and consume a lot of power.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
This is a method of networking computers and computer devices without the use of cabling, e.g.
using blue tooth, radio, optical, satellite, infra-red, microwave, etc.
Advantages of wireless communication include:
Cheaper as no wires are needed for networking.
Ensures fast wireless Internet access.
Wireless LAN is faster than a modem or mobile.
Wireless LAN enables working at home.
Users can create and send multimedia messages to mobiles or e-mail while in transit.
Users can send greetings from mobiles to mobiles/PCs.
Ensures instant transmission.
Users can download e-mail and file attachments while on mobile.
Disadvantages of Wireless Technology:
Signals can be blocked, distorted or will be weak.
Can lead to health problems from microwaves