The principles of signal theory

Signal Theory
Signal theory is basically signal processing as it

involves the representation and transmission of information. How data is sent from one computer to another on a network Computers are able to communicate either by electrical, light, mirowave or radio.

Binary
Binary numbers and arithmetic let you represent any amount you want using just two numbers: 0 and 1 Binary is organized into chains of 8 bits called bytes for stance 01001100 is a single byte which represents the value 76 or the letter V what it represents depends on what system is used. Sending data from one computer to another is called encoding
Deci mal 1 is is is is binar y binary binary binary 0001 0011 0110 1001 Decim 3 al Decim 6 al Decim 9 al

Synchronous and Asynchronous Transmission

Both of these are forms of communication are a

means of transmitting data. The difference between them is in the format that the data is transmitted. Synchronous Transmission does not start & stop bits for sending data segments while Asynchronous transmission uses start & stop bits which are added at the start & end of data segments. Synchronous transmission provides 64 or 128 Kbps speed but asynchronous transmission provides 38.4 Kbps speed.

Error correction and detection

0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 (1) Original Data - to be sent with a checksum of 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 (1) Corrupted Data - data gets corrupted on the way
Cyclical Redundancy Check CRC for short is an error detection mechanism used to ensure that your data is OK when transfering CRC can quickly identifies when data has been damaged. If you ever get this message, it means that the file being read by your PC or software has been corrupted. However, it does not mean all the data is irretrievable. When data is transfered, its generally in small blocks and each block is given a CRC value. The most typical time you will see the CRC error message is when trying to read data from a damaged CD or DVD.

(0) The checksum of the corrupted data should be zero 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0

The computer checks the original checksum against the one received and realises there is an error and asks for the data to be resent
Error correction and detection are managed by techniques such as parity checking and the cyclic redundancy check. In the transmission of data networks, it is important to check the integrity (quality) of data, as error, failure and interference are always likely. To do this, the data is sent with a small checksum,Parity Checking involves the counting of either the odd or even numbers.

Aspects that effect data transmission

Bandwidth is the amount of information that can be sent. A higher bandwidth results in the ability to carry more information or the same information much faster. A small bandwidth means that the amount and speed of information is reduced.

Data Compression
Data compression is necessary on low bandwidth services to improve the rate of data transmission. There are many formats used on different systems. A average formats adopted in data transmission and compression of files is Huffman coding.
E 0

A
I O U S T D X

1
10 11 100 101 110 111 11010

Channel Types
The transmission of data is also reliant on the channel type, that is the medium used to transmit the data across large distances. Wireless, fiber and copper have distances limitations. The following common communications channels are frequent use today.

Telephone links referred to as pretty old telephone system (POTS) for short is still in operation in mostly developing coutries. ISDN (integrated services digital network) used for sending voice, data and video at the same time. Microwaves are used in transmitting data by Bluetooth or with wireless any networks Radio is mostly operated by emergency services for stance, police, ambulance, fire to communicate Satellite depend upon, line of sight communication with a satellite asymmetric digital subscriber service ADSL for short and broadband accesses unused bandwidth on telecommunications systems. Limited by distance from a relay point.

Different transmission methods

A transmission medium is used to

carry the signal from one device to another across a network. The choice of media depends on factors cost, quality speed and the distance of data travel.The types of transmission methods include: Coaxial Cabling UTP (unshielded twisted pair) STP (shielded twisted pair) Fibre Optic

Coaxial Cabling
Coalxial cable a type of wire that has a centre wire surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield of braided wire. The shield minimizes the chances of electrical and radio frequency interference. Coalxial is anolder method of cabling networks. Its been the networking medium of chocie During the late 80s going into the early 90s, it was briskly replaced by UTP stands (unshielded twisted pair). However, now recently coaxial cabling has made comeback with home broadband services and for terrestrial TV.
Advantages Very strong can be bent in half and still function, Easy to modify and split the signal Can run up to 185 metres before the signal becomes weak and unreliable Disadvantages Susceptible to external interference and noise Costly to install as a higher quality cable costs more to produce

sufficient more expensive to frequency range to install compared support multiple to other cabling channel

UTP (unshielded twisted pair) STP (shielded twisted pair)

unshielded twisted pair, shielded twisted pair UTP and STP for short a type of copper wiring in which each of the two copper wires that are twisted together are coated with an insulating coating that works as a ground for the wires. The extra covering in shielded twisted pair wiring protects the line from electromagnetic interference leaking into or out of the cable. STP cabling is commonly used in Ethernet networks, particularly fast data rate Ethernets said be to the most common cable used in computer networking. These eight cables come as coloured pairs. blue, blue with a white stripe , brown , brown with a white stripe, green , green with a white stripe, Orange,Orange with a white stripe UTP is the most popular cable type in use on academic and commerical networks throuhout the world. UTP and STP came around when a change in phone technology during 80s and have endured many changes. UTP and STP are still in use for multiple reasons: they are cheap in camparsion to coaxial cabling and fiber optic ; they are versaltile and can be conditioned to many uses; they can adapt to changing speeds and standards.

Advantages Low cost (compared to coaxial cabling and fibre optic) Versatile and can be adapted to many uses. Can adapt to changing speeds and standards.

Disadvantages UTP is susceptible to interference STP cabling is expensive

Fibre optic cabling

Unlike both coaxial and UTP who both

reply on transmission of data using electrical pulses down a copper cable. using electrical pulses down a copper cable. Fiber optic cable use light to transmit the data so can acquire greater speeds and ranges that their copper counterparts. The two most common types of cable in use: singlemode, which is 8 microns in diamoeter, and multimode, which is 125 mirons in diameter (with an inner core of 62.5 microns). Fibre Optic

advantages No other cablebased data transmission can compare with the bandwidth that fiber does.

disadvantages Beavers and other rodents use exposed fiber cable to sharpen their teeth and insects such as ants desire the plastic shielding in their diet, so they can often be found nibbling at the fiber optic cabling.

cable is surrounded by Kevlar Fibre this allows it to bent and adapted physically to fit into areas. Fibre Optic is more costly than Fiber has a very low Despite the cost of copper based cables (coaxial, UTP, rate of bit error as a installingng fiber STP) result of fiber being optic has dropped
so resistant to electromagnetic interference. Fiberoptic transmission are virtually noise free.

by as much as 60% a year, installing fiber optic cabling is stilla costly process