Chapter 4 – Digital Communications

2.2 – Factors Influencing the Choice of Digital communication in a Network

Speed & Volume of Data Transfer

To begin with, we must understand a few important definitions:

1. Bandwidth – Amount of data transferred per second.

2. Latency – Time it takes data to travel between two devices.
3. Buffer – Area of storage used to temporarily store data, specifically when streaming.

Typically, users want a high bandwidth and low latency.

Impact on User Experience:

Good (High) Bandwidth means very rapid uploads and downloads, as well as complex tasks happening much quicker.

Good (Low) Latency prevents lag from occurring, and in times of watching live events online, there would be no delay
between real-time content and presented content.

Streaming:

Remember that when streaming the content being streamed is not fully downloaded.

Rather, as you keep watching, the buffer fills up with more and more data being added.

If the buffer has no data in it, the video being watched will stop until the buffer plays again.

Example:

If you’re watching Loki as soon as you open it content will begin to fill up in the buffer.

If you reach the 7th minute and eventually it stops, that means the buffer is empty (there is no content to play) and hence
you have to wait till the buffer refills with enough data to present.

Data transfer is also affected by:

- Method of Transfer (Wired/Wireless)

- Interference
- Blockages
- Distance

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2.1 – Types of Digital Communications

Device to Device Communication

Devices can connect to each other in several ways, whether wirelessly or in a wired manner.

Examples include: HDMI, USB, Minijack, Bluetooth

Network Communication

When two or more devices are connected to each other, a network is created.

There are 4 major types of networks:

1. LAN (Local Area Network)

This covers a small geographical area.

School devices are connected through a LAN.

2. WAN (Wide Area Network)

A WAN covers a larger geographical area than a LAN.

The internet is the largest WAN.
WANs usually connect LANS to each other.
For example, a multinational company may connect each country’s LAN through a WAN.
Due to its nature, transfer speeds on a WAN are slower than in a LAN.

3. PAN (Personal Area Network)

This is a group of devices connected near an individual user.

An example: iPhone, iPad and MacBook all connected to each other on a desk. Or watch, earphones & phone.
If the network is fully wireless, we call it a WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network)

4. Tethering

This is when a host device shares its mobile broadband with another device, so that the other device uses its
broadband.
Basically, enabling 4G and 5G.
Enabling tethering means that the original user has less bandwidth and so will experience slowdowns. This is
because broadband is shared equally between both devices.
Remember, when using Broadband, a device uses an Internet Service Provider to connect to the internet.

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Methods by which Digital Devices Communicate:

Digital devices can share and receive data with each other through several different ways detailed below:

SATELLITE Radio Waves GPS / TV / Telephone / Military

BROADCAST Radio Waves Television / Radio Shows
WIRED Electrical Signals Networking / Peripherals
WIRELESS Radio Waves Networking / Peripherals

1. Satellite Communication:

Digital devices have antennae.

Signals are sent from the device to the satellite. The satellite then sends them to the device, which receives
them from the antennae.

Advantages:
- They are not affected by power shortages.
- They are accessible all the time.

Disadvantages:

- Affected by weather and atmospheric conditions.

- Cannot go through solid objects, so in cities with tall buildings they are not efficient.

They are used in –

GPS – Several satellites allocate your location and pinpoint

where the rays cross.

TV – DVB-S is used within the TV. A broadcaster sends a

signal to the satellite, which then sends the signals to be
received by antennae of households who send it through
to a set-top box.

Telephone – In remote locations.

Military – In communication systems such as the Global

Command and Control System.

2. Broadcast Communication:

Analogue Broadcast
- A broadcaster transmits analogue signals that are received by antennae of houses.
- The signals are then passed through a wire which converts the analogue signals into images/audio.

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 Digital Television
- This works just like DVB-S except the signals are all
transported within Earth, nothing goes outside.
- The same antennae as that of Analogue Broadcast can be
used.

3. Wired Communication:

There are several types of wired communications:

HDMI Digital Video Connections

S/PDIF Digital Audio Connections

Minijack Personal Headphones

USB Storage Transfer

Ethernet Networking

Ethernet – A network connectivity standard that provides a way for computers to communicate.

4. Wireless Communication:

Just like wired communications, there are several wireless communication methods:

- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- 3G and 4G
- Infra-red
- NFC

WIRED WIRELESS
Faster Lower costs (No need for cables
More Stable Less Maintenance
More Secure (No tripping hazard)
Less Mess
More Portable

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