Unit 1
Data Communication Fundamentals
How data moves between devices: the parts of a communication system, data flow, signals, transmission media, performance, error detection, multiplexing and switching.
What you will learn
After this unit you can:
- Define data communication and list its five components.
- Distinguish transmission modes, data flow directions and signal types.
- Compare transmission media.
- Explain bandwidth, throughput, latency and the basic ideas of multiplexing and switching.
Topics in this unit
1.1What is data communication?✓1.2Components of a data communication system✓1.3Data flow (transmission direction)✓1.4Analog and digital signals✓1.5Serial and parallel transmission✓1.6Transmission media✓1.7Performance measures✓1.8Error detection basics✓1.9Multiplexing and switching✓1.10Hands-on lab: Measure bandwidth and latency✓1.11Review: key terms and self-check✓