Data communication principles

What you will learn:

You'll explore the OSI and TCP/IP reference models, understand how protocols at different layers work together, and learn how error detection and correction ensures data integrity across unreliable links. The course bridges the gap between physical transmission and higher-level networking concepts.

 

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• describe the concept and role of binary and hexadecimal numbers in digital computing and communications and convert between them.
• describe the role and operation of the various components of a digital link.
• describe the role of an interface between communications sub-systems in terms of the transfer of control signals and data.
• describe and compare the characteristics of serial and parallel interfaces.
• compare the operation of synchronous and asynchronous links.
• compare the basic properties of simplex, duplex and half duplex communication links.
• describe the principles and advantages of packet switching with particular reference to the connectionless operation of the Internet.
• describe the concepts and causes of congestion and congestion collapse and methods of avoiding congestion.
• describe the role and facilities of data protocols and their categorisation with reference to the OSI reference model and to the Internet suite of protocols.
• describe the role and basic structure of local and wide area networks, and the role of the functional components of these networks.
• explain the need for address resolution at the interface between an Ethernet LAN and a WAN.

 

Course prerequisites:

An understanding of the basic properties of digital signals. It is recommended that the PTT course "Analogue and digital signals" is studied before attempting this course.

 

Approximate study time: 5 hours 

 

Delivery platform requirements:
To access the course, a computer/tablet running a browser such as Chrome, Safari, Edge etc. is required. The device should have an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024x768.