Chapter 4

Digital Communication
Yuet Wah College

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Data Communication
Our world is connected by wired and wireless digital
communication systems. Data flows around these sys-
tems, carrying information about our personal and work
lives and providing us with entertainment and news.
Digital devices exchange data and communicate with
each other and with larger systems.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
The speed at which devices can transfer data depends
on the bandwidth of the connection.

Bandwidth
The number of bits that can be carried by a connection in
one second.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
Impact on User Experience
A higher bandwidth means that more data can be trans-
ferred every second.
This makes uploads and downloads faster. It also makes
it possible to do things that required lots of data to be
transferred in short amount of time.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
Buffer
an area of memory used to temporarily store data espe-
cially when streaming video.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
When streaming video, all of the data does not need to
be download before playback can start.
Instead, a portion of the video data is stored temporarily
in an area of memory called a buffer.
The video will not start until there is enough data in the
buffer to play a few seconds of video.
While those few seconds are playing, more data is down-
load to fill up the buffer.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
If the buffer is empty, there is no more video to paly and it
will pause until more data is download.
To avoid the buffer becoming empty, data must be con-
stantly download into the buffer, filling it up at a rate
faster than it is emptied.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
As well as bandwidth, the speed of data transfer also de-
pends on latency.
Latency is the delay in the time it takes to send data be-
tween devices.
If you think again about a data connection acting like a
water pipe, latency is the average time that it takes for a
drop of water to flow through the pipe.

Latency
The amount of time it takes to send data between de-
vices
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
You can identify latency by ‘pinging’ a domain.
When you ping a domain, you send a packet of data to a
server and the packet of data is immediately returned by
the server to the originating device.
The ping time is the amount of time it takes for the
packet of data to make the return trip.

Domain
The name used to identify a web server.

PING yuetwah.edu.mo
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
In online gaming, the game will play smoothly if the
bandwidth is adequate. However, if the latency is high,
events in the game will lag and the game will not seem
responsive to the player’s commands.
When watching live television high latency will result in a
delay between the real-time events and the video being
received for playback.

Lag
Move slowly or fail to keep up.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
Factors that Affect speed and volume of data trans-
fer.

Transfer Method
Wireless methods have to work on a limited number of
frequencies. In comparison, copper cable can carry
more frequency than wireless methods.
This means that cabled method can have more band-
width available to them than wireless methods.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
Interference
Other electromagnetic signals disrupt or interfere with
wired and wireless signals
For example, interference can be caused by signals from
wireless devices, wireless routers and appliances emit-
ting electromagnetic fields like friddges and microwave.
Cabled connections can be shielded from this interfer-
ence by having the wires wrapped in a thin layer of
metal.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
blockages
Walls and furniture reduce the strength of wireless sig-
nals. This reduces the available bandwidth.
Speed and Volume of Data Transfer
Distance
The strength of wired or wireless signal is reduced as the
distance that it has to travel increases.
Device-To-Device Communication
Device can connect directly to each other using wired or
wireless methods. This is called device-to-device com-
munication.
Device-To-Device Communication
Examples of device to device communication
DEVICE 1 DEVICE 2 CONNECTION USE
BETWEEN
DEVICE 1
AND 2
Temperature Air Wired To turn on the air
sensor conditioner conditioning when the
temperature is too high
Smartphone Headphones Minijack To play music from the
smartphone on the
headphones
Laptop External USB To transfer files
hard drive
Camcorder Monitor HDMI To operate as a security
camera
Games Games Bluetooth To control a game
Network Communication
When two or more computers are connected, a network
is created.
Network Communication
Local Area Network (LAN)
A LAN is a network that connects digital devices that are
in small geographical area, like a building or group of
buildings that are close to each other.
Network Communication
Wide Area Network (WAN)
A WAN is a network that is spread over a large geograph-
ical area. WANs are often used to connect different
owned by national and international businesses, health
and education organisations and government depart-
ments.
Network Communication
Internet is the largest example of a WAN
Network Communication
Personal Area Network (WAN)
A PAN is a group of connected devices that are all near
an individual user.
For example, a user could connect their smartwatch to
their laptop and home cinema speaker system. Devices
in a PAN can either to connected to each other directly or
connected through access point.

WPAN: Wireless Personal Area Network

Network Communication
Tethering
Tethering is the process of connecting a host device,
such as a smartphone or a tablet device, that uses a
mobile broadband connection with one or more other de-
vices. This enables the other device or devices to share
the host device’s broadband connection.
The Ways in which Digital Devices
Communicate
Method Technology Use
Satellite Radio waves GPS, television, telephone, military
Broadcast Radio waves Television shows, radio shows
Wired Electrical signal Networking, connecting peripherals
Wireless Radio waves Networking, connecting peripherals
Satellite Communication
Satellite Communication
Satellites transmit data and receive data from digital de-
vices. Digital devices use antennae to receive the radio
signals that satellites transmit.
The benefit of satellite communication is that the number
of satellites means that the system is always available. It
also cannot be affected by power shortages.
The drawback is that satellite signals do not pass through
solid objects. This means that they will not work in areas
with tell buildings or in tunnels. Signals an also be af-
fected by atmospheric weather conditions such as heavy
snow or rain.
Satellite Communication
GPS
Satellite communications are used for GPS. Navigation
aids make use of GPS signals to calculate the exact loca-
tion of a device.
GPS signals are sent from a network of 24 satellites or-
biting the Earth. At any one time, a device will be within
view of approximately 12 of these satellities. However, a
view of only four satellities is required to calculate an ac-
curate location.
Satellite Communication
GPS
Satellite Communication
Television
Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) is the internationally
accepted standard method of broadcasting digital televi-
sion. DVB-S (Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite) is
one example of DVB. A video signal from the broad-
caster is transmitted using a large antenna on Earth to
one or more satelities, which then broadcast the signal
back down to Earth. A satellite television viewer will have
an antenna installed, and this receives the signal and
converts it so that it is ready to be sent to a television.
Satellite Communication
Television
Satellite Communication
Telephone
Satellite communication is also used to allow people in
remote areas to place voice calls using satellite tele-
phone.
The Ways in which Digital Devices
Communicate
Military
The military in many countries use satellites for commu-
nication system such as Global Command and Control
System.
Broadcast Communication
Digital Television
DBB-T(Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (on the
Earth)) is a method of DVB where the transmitters are
based on Earth, rather than in orbit as they are in DVB-S.
To receive digital television broadcasts transmitted by
DVB-T, viewers can use the same antenna that they use
to receive analogue broadcasts. They do not need a
special antenna.
DVB-T2 is a newer standard that provides more
functionality, such as High Definition Television (HDTV)
and interactive services.
Broadcast Communication
Analogue television and Radio
Transmitters broadcast television and radio signals that
are received by a viewer’s antenna. This antenna sends
a signal through a wire to the television or radio receiver,
which converts it into images and audio.
Broadcast Communication
Digital Radio
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is used in Europe and
the Asia Pacific region. It is broadcast in the same way
as DVB. DVB provides more radio stations and can also
carry text data that DAB receivers can display. The text
data can include the time, name of the station and details
of the music being played.
Wired Communication
Devices can use cables to communicate with each other
via a wired connection. There are many different types
of wired connection. Some are used for many different
purposes, such as USB. Others can only used to meet
one particular need, such as Ethernet.

Ethernet: a network connectivity standard that provides a

way for computers to communicate.
Wired Communication
Common wired connection types and their uses

Connection Type Use

HDMI Digital video connections
S/PDIF Digital audio connections
Minijack Personal headphones
USB Storage transfer
Ethernet Networking
Wired Communication
USB is a very common connection type. USB has been
through a number of revisions, and each revision allows
faster data transfer speeds. This development of
standards is common with all types of connectivity. This
progress is made necessary as digital devices become
more complex in the features and functionality.
Wired Communication
Ethernet allows a user to connect to wired networks. As
Ethernet technology develops, the speed at which data
can be transferred between devices is improved.
Ethernet cables can be 100 meters long before the
signals they carry start to lose quality.
Wireless Communication
Devices can also use wireless connectivity to
communicate with each other. Just as with wired
communication, there are many different types of
wireless connection.
Wireless Communication
WI-FI
Wi-Fi is used in home and office networks. Some
companies provide Wi-Fi access in towns and cities. Wi-
Fi is a wireless technology used to connect devices to
network. That network can itself then be connected to
the internet, so that devices connected to the Wi-Fi
network can connect to the internet.
Wireless Communication
Wi-Fi uses the IEEE 802.11 specification of standards for
wireless communication. The specification is revised
regularly to take account of improvements in technology.
Each version to the specification is given a different letter
or pair of letters at the end.
Wireless Communication
Wireless Communication
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a type of wireless connectivity that lets
devices connect over short distances. It cannot carry as
much data as Wi-Fi. Bluetooth devices need to be paired
with each other before they can communicate.
mice.
Wireless Communication
Bluetooth can be used to transfer small files between
devices. It is used to connect devices such as
smartphones and laptops to peripherals such as portable
speakers, headphones, earphones, keyboards and mice.
Wireless Communication
Comparing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
WI-FI BLUETOOTH

Range Long Short

Bandwidth High Low

Power High Low

Security High Low

Can connect multiple Yes Limited

devices simultaneously (usually have to be paired)
Wireless Communication
3G and 4G
3G and 4G are sometimes referred to as mobile
broadband. They are used to provide internet access to
mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet devices
when a Wi-Fi signal is not available.
Wireless Communication
Infra-Red (IR)
Infra-red signals cannot carry much data and only have a
short range. Transmitters must have a clear line of sight
to receivers, because this allows the signal to travel in a
straight line between them without being blocked by solid
objects like walls. The signal is also affected by sunlight.
It is often used in remote-control devices such as
television remote controls
Wireless Communication
Near-Field Communication (NFC)
NFC used close proximity RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) chips. NFC is used in smartphones,
payment cards and travel cards.
Wireless Communication
Comparing Wireless Connection
METHOD TECHNOLOGY USE

Wi-Fi Radio Waves Home and office network

Bluetooth

3G and 4G

Infra-red

NFC
Benefits and Drawbacks of
Wired vs Wireless
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that current
research findings suggest that exposure to wireless
signals does not cause health issues.
However, it also says that further long-term research
about the effects on children using mobile phones for
more than 10 years is necessary. This is because
symptoms may take a long time to appear and young
people are most vulnerable to radiation.
Benefits and Drawbacks of
Wired vs Wireless
Wired Wireless
Cost * Cables are cheap if purchasing No need to buy cables
for a small umber of devices May need a wired access point
for multiple connections
Safety Risk of tripping over cables None (though some people are
worried about the effects of
radiation)
Speed * Faster than wireless Slower than wired
Stability * Less affected by interference Affected by interference and
than wireless obstacles
Portability * Not portable as limited by Portable within signal range
connection cables
May need signal booster if
connection is more than 100
metres long
Benefits and Drawbacks of
Wired vs Wireless
Wired Wireless
Mess Can look untidy if lots of Tidy
cables are used
Security * Most secure Less secure than wired
connection because it is easier
to intercept a wireless signal
Maintenance Using cables and ports None
continuously over a long
period of time may damage
them
Boardband, Mobile Broadband
and Cellcular Networks
Broadband networks provide fast access to the internet
through a connection to an Internet Service Provider
(ISP). They use the fibre optic cable or copper cable
network.
Mobile broadband provides high-speed wireless
connectivity using 3G or 4G technology to connect to the
mobile phone network, which acts as the user’s ISP
Boardband, Mobile Broadband
and Cellcular Networks
Internet Service Provider (ISP): a company that provies
customers with access to the internet