MURANG’A UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

UNIVERSITY ORDINARY EXAMINATION

2020/2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

THIRD YEAR FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY

UNIT CODE: SCS 309

UNIT TILE: DATA COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

DURATION: 2 HOURS

Instructions to candidates:

1. Answer question One and Any Other Two questions.

2. Mobile phones are not allowed in the examination room.
3. You are not allowed to write on this examination question paper.
 SECTION A: ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION

QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS)

a) i) Define the term data communication (2marks)

ii) Explain any three characteristics of data communication (6marks)

b) Explain how the following access methods work

i. CSMA/CD-carrier sense multiple access with collision data (2marks)
ii. Token passing (2marks)
iii. Demand priority (2marks)
c) Discuss the three types of multiplexing techniques (6marks)
d) Explain the two types of errors as used in data communication (4marks)
e) Using relevant examples, differentiate simplex and half duplex data flows (4marks)
f) Highlight any two types of computer networks (2marks)

SECTION B – ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION

QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)

a) Define the term bandwidth as used in data communication (2Marks)

b) Differentiate vertical redundancy check(VRC) and longitudinal redundancy check(LRC)as used
in data communication (4marks)
c) Using relevant examples, explain the following switching techniques.
i. Message switching (3marks)
ii. Circuit switching (3marks)
iii. Packet switching (3marks)
d) Distinguish between Manchester and differential Manchester encoding schemes (4marks)
e) With an aid of a diagram, discuss the terms parallel and serial modes of data transmission
(4marks)

QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)

a) Distinguish between bit rate and baud rate (2marks)

b) With the aid of a diagram, describe the layers of OSI model (8marks)
c) With an aid of a diagram, explain analogue and digital signals (4marks)
d) Discuss the three modulation techniques as used in data communication (6marks)
QUESTION FOUR (20 MARKS)
a) Explain how error detection and correction is accomplished in data communication(4marks)
b) Discuss the three elements of protocol (6marks)
c) With aid of examples, differentiate synchronous and asynchronous transmission mode
(4marks)
d) Discuss any three forms of data representation used in data communication (6marks)