Data Communications Basics

Data Communications Fundamentals

• Data communications involve the exchange of data between devices through a transmission medium like a wire cable
• Effective data communications depend on four fundamental characteristics: delivery, accuracy, timeliness, and jitter
• Delivery requires data to reach the correct destination and be received by the intended device or user
• Accuracy is essential for data to be delivered without alteration during transmission
• Timeliness is crucial, particularly for video and audio, where data must be delivered in real-time without significant delay
• Real-time transmission is vital for delivering data as they are produced and in the same order
• Jitter refers to the variation in packet arrival time and can cause uneven delays in the delivery of audio or video packets
• Jitter can disrupt the smooth delivery of data, for example, in the case of video packets sent every 30 ms
• A communication system requires a combination of hardware and software for data communications to occur effectively
• Hardware involves the physical equipment, while software consists of programs that facilitate data communications
• The effectiveness of a data communications system is dependent on the combination of hardware and software
• Ensuring the delivery, accuracy, timeliness, and management of jitter are essential for a successful data communications system