Communications
Computer communications is the process of sharing data, programs, and
information between two or more computers. We have discussed numerous
applications that depend on communication systems, including
• E-mail —provides a fast, efficient alternative to traditional mail by sending
and receiving electronic documents.
• Instant messaging —supports direct, “live” electronic communication
between two or more friends or buddies.
• Internet telephone —provides a very low-cost alternative to long-distance
telephone calls using electronic voice and video delivery.
• Electronic commerce —buying and selling goods electronically.
In this chapter, we will focus on the communication systems that support
these and many other applications. Connectivity, the wireless revolution,
and communication systems are key concepts and technologies for the 21st
century.
Connectivity
Connectivity is a concept related to using computer networks to link people
and resources. For example, connectivity means that you can connect your
microcomputer to other computers and information sources almost anywhere.
With this connection, you are linked to the world of larger computers
and the Internet. This includes hundreds of thousands of Web servers and
their extensive information resources. Thus, becoming computer competent
and knowledgeable becomes a matter of knowing not only
about connectivity through networks to microcomputers,
but also about larger computer systems and their information
resources.
The Wireless Revolution
The single most dramatic change in connectivity and communications
in the past few years has been the widespread use
of mobile telephones with wireless Internet connectivity. Students,
parents, teachers, businesspeople, and others routinely
talk and communicate with these devices. It is estimated that
over 3 billion mobile telephones are in use worldwide. This
wireless technology allows individuals to stay connected with
one another from almost anywhere at any time.
So what’s the revolution? While wireless technology
was originally used primarily for voice communications,
today’s cell phones support e-mail, Web access, and a variety
of Internet applications. In addition, wireless technology
allows a wide variety of nearby devices to communicate
with one another without any physical connection. You
can share a high-speed printer, share data files, and collaborate
on working documents with a nearby co-worker
without having your computers connected by cables or
telephone—wireless communication. Highspeed Internet
wireless technology allows individuals to connect to the
Internet and share information from almost anywhere in
the world. (See Figure 9-1 .) But is it a revolution? Most
experts say yes and that the revolution is just beginning.
Communication Systems
Communication systems are electronic systems that transmit data from one
location to another. Whether wired or wireless, every communication system
has four basic elements. (See Figure 9-2 .)
• Sending and receiving devices. These are often a computer or specialized
communication device. They originate (send) as well as accept (receive)
messages in the form of data, information, and/or instructions.
• Communication channel. This is the actual connecting or transmission
medium that carries the message. This medium can be a physical wire or cable,
or it can be wireless.
• Connection devices. These devices act as an interface between the
sending and receiving devices and the communication channel. They
convert outgoing messages into packets that can travel across the
communication channel. They also reverse the process for incoming
messages.
• Data transmission specifications. These are rules and procedures that
coordinate the sending and receiving devices by precisely defining how the
message will be sent across the communication channel.
For example, if you wanted to send an e-mail to a friend, you could create
and send the message using your computer, the sending device. Your modem,
a connection device, would modify and format the message so that it could
travel efficiently across communication channels, such as telephone lines.
The specifics describing how the message is modified, reformatted, and sent
would be described in the data transmission specifications. After your message
traveled across the channel, the receiver’s modem, a connection device,
would reform it so that it could be displayed on your friend’s computer, the
receiving device. (Note: This example presents the basic communication system
elements involved in sending e-mail. It does not and is not intended
to demonstrate all the specific steps and equipment involved in an e-mail
delivery system.)
Communication Channels
C ommunication channels are an essential element of every communication
system. These channels actually carry the data from one computer to another.
There are two categories of communication channels. One category connects
sending and receiving devices by providing a physical connection, such as a
wire or cable. The other category is wireless.
Physical Connections
Physical connections use a solid medium to connect sending and receiving
devices. These connections include telephone lines (twisted pair), coaxial
cable, and fiber-optic cable.
• Twisted-pair cable consists of pairs of copper wire that are twisted
together. Both standard telephone lines and Ethernet cables use twistedpair.
(See Figure 9-3 .) Ethernet cables are often used in networks and to
connect a variety of components to the system unit.
• Coaxial cable, a high-frequency transmission cable, replaces the multiple
wires of telephone lines with a single solid-copper core. (See Figure 9-4 .)
In terms of the number of telephone connections, a coaxial cable has over
80 times the transmission capacity of twisted pair. Coaxial cable is used to
deliver television signals as well as to connect computers in a network.
• Fiber-optic cable transmits data as pulses of light through tiny tubes
of glass. (See Figure 9-5 .) In terms of the number of telephone connections,
fiber-optic cable has over 26,000 times the transmission capacity
of twisted-pair cable. Compared to coaxial cable, it is lighter, faster, and
more reliable at transmitting data. Fiber-optic cable is rapidly replacing
twisted-pair cable telephone lines.
Wireless Connections
Wireless connections do not use a solid substance to connect sending and
receiving devices. Rather, they move data through the air. Primary technologies
used for wireless connections are radio frequency, microwave, satellite,
and infrared.
• Radio frequency (RF) uses radio signals to communicate between wireless
devices. For example, smartphones and many Internet-enabled devices use
RF to place telephone calls and/or to connect to the Internet. Most home or
business wireless networks are based on a
technology called Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) to
communicate over short distances. A number
of standards for Wi-Fi exist, and each can
send and receive data at a different speed.
(See Figure 9-6 .) Bluetooth is a short-range
radio communication standard that transmits
data over short distances of up to approximately
33 feet. Bluetooth is widely used
for wireless headsets, printer connections,
and handheld devices. The range of Wi-Fi
networks is being extended over greater distances using a new technology
known as WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).
WiMax is commonly used by universities and others to extend the capability
of existing Wi-Fi networks.
• Microwave communication uses high-frequency radio waves. Like infrared,
microwave communication provides line-of-sight communication
because microwaves travel in a straight line. Because the waves cannot
bend with the curvature of the earth, they can be transmitted only over
relatively short distances. Thus, microwave is a good medium for sending
data between buildings in a city or on a large college campus. For longer
distances, the waves must be relayed by means of microwave stations with
microwave dishes or antennas
• Satellite communication uses satellites orbiting about 22,000 miles
above the earth as microwave relay stations. Many of these are offered
by Intelsat, the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium,
which is owned by 114 governments and forms a worldwide communication
system. Satellites rotate at a precise point and speed above the earth.
They can amplify and relay microwave signals from one transmitter on
the ground to another. Satellites can be used to send and receive large
volumes of data. Uplink is a term relating to sending data to a satellite.
Downlink refers to receiving data from a satellite. The major drawback to
satellite communication is that bad weather can sometimes interrupt the
flow of data.
One of the most interesting applications of satellite communications
is for global positioning. A network of 24 satellites owned and managed
by the Defense Department continuously sends location information to
earth. Global positioning system (GPS) devices use that information
to uniquely determine the geographical location of the device. Available
in many automobiles to provide navigational support, these systems are
often mounted into the dash with a monitor to display maps and speakers
to provide spoken directions. (See Figure 9-8.) Many of today’s cell
phones, including the Apple iPhone, use GPS technology for handheld
navigation.
• Infrared uses infrared light waves to communicate over short distances.
It is sometimes referred to as line-of-sight communication because the
light waves can only travel in a straight line. This requires that sending
and receiving devices must be in clear view of one another without any
obstructions blocking that view. One of the most common applications is
to transfer data and information from a portable device such as a notebook
computer or PDA to a desktop computer.
Channel Description
Twisted pair Twisted copper wire, used for standard
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