Credits

GLH

Degree

E-622
Bachelor of Electrical/Electronic Technology

Unit Code

Unit Code

Data Communications and Industrial Networks

Level #

Unit Title

E-622

15

45

Aim and purpose

This unit aims to give learners the knowledge and skills needed to install, test and configure
data communication networks used in industrial networks for instrumentation and control.

Unit introduction
This unit provides a foundation in the principles of data communications by first introducing
basic principles and then providing an in-depth treatment of the structure and Importance of
layered protocol design. The unit will cover various transmission media, digital and analog
signals, modulation, multiplexing, circuit switching, error control and flow control. The unit
will also cover many real-world examples of data communication, including modems, DSL,
Ethernet, wireless LANs, and cell phones It also provides coverage of the RS-232, RS-422, and
RS-485 standards, and outlines how they play a central role in industrial protocols. This unit
will equip learners with the basic understanding necessary to use tools to analyze, specify,
troubleshoot and debug data communications and networking systems in the instrumentation
and control environment. The unit develops the learners knowledge in specifying,
commissioning and debugging Fieldbus, DeviceNet and Ethernet networks for Industry. The
learner will gain knowledge about Routers and Switches for Industry, troubleshooting and
Problem Solving of Modbus Protocols. The unit also addresses the fundamentals of
telecommunications and wireless communications and their applications in modern process
control and automation systems.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Be able to Determine and analyse the fundamentals of communications.
2 Be able to Determine and analyse the principles of selecting and installing
telecommunications systems.
3 Be able to make "best practice" decisions on the best and most cost effective access
options for an industrial network.
4 Be able to identify, prevent and troubleshoot industrial communications problems.
5 Be able to install and configure a simple Ethernet network.

Unit Content

1- Be able to determine and analyse the fundamentals of communications.

The fundamentals of data communications. Layered communications protocols. The RS232 and RS-485 standards. Current loops and converters. Topologies, standards and
interconnection of local area networks. Network timing and synchronization, wired and
wireless LAN technologies including all aspects of Ethernet, IEEE 802 LANs, packet
switching, routing, and internet design. transmission media, digital and analog signals,
modulation, multiplexing, circuit switching, error control and flow control
2- Be able to determine and analyse the principles of selecting and installing
telecommunications systems.

TELECOMMUNICATION BASICS: Bandwidth, channel capacity, Full vs. half duplex,

Baseband, broadband, narrowband and wideband, Analogue vs. digital transmission,
Multiplexing techniques: FDM, TDM, PCM,WDM, Connection oriented vs. connectionless
Communication, Circuit switching vs. packet switching, Switching vs. routing, Local area
vs. wide area networks, The PSTN vs. the Internet, The OSI model.
LOCAL AND WIDE AREA NETWORKING: LAN topologies, LAN media access control
techniques, LAN standards, LAN extension and interconnection (bridging, switching,
routing), Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Virtual
Private Networks (VPNs).
CELLULAR SYSTEMS: Cellular (mobile) system basics,2G systems (TDMA, CDMA, GSM),3G
systems (W-CDMA, cdma2000, WWC- 136, TDD, DECT+),Mobile data systems (CPRS,
1xRTT, EV-D0, HSDPA), Private mobile radio systems (APCO-25, TETRA).
3- Be able to make "best practice" decisions on the best and most cost effective access
options for an industrial network.
Fieldbus, DeviceNet and Ethernet networks for Industry. Routers and Switches for
Industry, troubleshooting and Problem Solving of Modbus Protocols.
4- Be able to identify, prevent and troubleshoot industrial communications problems.
Common symptoms, problems and solutions. Identifying likely causes. Overall basic
steps. Communications issues. Earthing, shielding and noise.
FOUNDATION FIELDBUS Problems: wiring, power, Terminations, voltage drop, power
conditioning.
INDUSTRIAL ETHERNET Problems: noise, connectors, UTP cabling, faulty autonegotiation, faulty hubs and switches.
5- Be able to install and configure a simple Ethernet network.
Ethernet and its Data Link Layer: Layered reference model, LANs in networks, CSMA/CD,
Frame format.
Physical Layer Topologies: Topologies for: 10 Mb/s, 100 Mb/s, 1 Gb/s,and 10 Gb/s
Ethernet. Repeaters, hubs and switches.
Ethernet Cabling & Connectors, and Structured Cabling: Coaxial cables, unshielded
twisted pair, shielded twisted pair, fiber optics, Connectors, Structured cabling.
Industrial Ethernet and Troubleshooting Ethernet: Industrial Ethernet (deterministic
operation, cabling and connectors), Troubleshooting Ethernet (problems and solutions,
tools of the trade)

Assessment and Grading Criteria

In order to pass this unit, the learner is required to prove that he/she has passed ALL the
targeted Learning Outcomes of this unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the
level of achievement required to pass this unit.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

Learning Outcome

To achieve the pass grade the learner must show that

he/she is able to:
1- Be able to determine and P1: Recognize and identify major data communication
analyse the
topologies and protocols.

2-

3-

4-

5-

fundamentals of
telecommunications.
Be able to determine and
analyse the principles of
selecting and installing
telecommunications
systems.
Be able to make "best
practice" decisions on
the best and most cost
effective access options
for an industrial
network.
Be able to identify,
prevent and
troubleshoot industrial
communications
problems.
Be able to install and
configure a simple
Ethernet network.

P2: Classify communication speeds and relate them to the

type of transferred data.
P3: set up a simple RS-232 and RS-485 network from a
hardware and software point of view.
P4: Configure and install a simple RS-232 and RS-485
network and be able to successfully transfer data
through.
P5: Setup a basic Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus and
Ethernet networks.
P6: Configure and troubleshoot basic Foundation Fieldbus,
Profibus and Ethernet networks.
P7: perform basic troubleshooting on various industrial
networks using basic tools ranging from hardware
testers, network utilities to protocol analyzers.
P8: Recognize and classify basic maintenance techniques
of industrial communication networks.
P9: construct a realistic simulated Ethernet network.
P10: load up a classical Ethernet protocol analyzer and
examine different aspects of the Ethernet protocol.