Introduction to Data Communication

Data communication refers to the exchange of data between a source and a receiver via form of transmission media such as a wire cable. Data communication is said to be local if communicating devices are in the same building or a similarly restricted geographical area.

Electronic communications, like emails and instant messages, as well as phone calls are examples of data communications.

Block Diagram of Data Communication

Above figure shows the basic block diagram of a typical data communication system. This can further be broken down to three; the source system, transmission system and destination system.

1. Source

The source generates the information or data that will be transmitted to the destination. Popular forms of information include text, numbers, pictures, audio, video or a combination of any of these.

1. Transmitter

The transmitter a device used to convert the data as per the destination requirement.

For example a modem, converts the analog (telephonic) signal to digital (computer) signals and alternatively digital to analog.

1. Transmission medium

The transmission medium is the physical path by which data travels from transmitter to receiver.

For Example of such channels is copper wires, optical fibers and wireless communication channels etc.

1. Receiver

This receives the signals from the transmission medium and converts it into a form that is suitable to the destination device.

For example, a modem accepts analog signal from a transmission channel and transforms it into digital bit stream which is acceptable by computer system.

1. Destination

It is simply a device for which source device sends the data.