Syllabus :

show an understanding of what is meant by transmission of data

distinguish between serial and parallel data transmission

show understanding of the reasons for choosing serial or parallel data transmission

show understanding of the need to check for errors

explain how parity bits are used for error detection

identify current uses of serial and parallel data transmission such as Integrated Circuits (IC),
Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Transmission of data
It means sending of data using guided (cabling)or unguided media(atmosphere,wirelessly)
There are two methods of transmitting digital data. These methods are parallel and serial
transmissions.
Parallel transmission
In parallel data transmission, all bits of the binary data are transmitted simultaneously. For
example, to transmit an 8-bit binary number in parallel from one unit to another, eight
transmission lines are required. Each bit requires its own separate data path. All bits of a word
are transmitted at the same time. This method of transmission can move a significant amount
of data in a given period of time.
Disadvantages
1. Large number of interconnecting cables needed between the two units making cabling
complex and expensive specially for long distances
2.Long multiwire cables are not only expensive, but also require special interfacing to
minimize noise and distortion problems.
Advantages
1.Fast transmission of large data as all bits transmitted simultaneously
2.The signal on all wires are synchronized so that a bit travels across each of the wires at
precisely the same time
Use: to transmit data from printers to computers
Serial transmission
Serial data transmission is the process of transmitting binary words a bit at a time. Since the
bits time-share the transmission medium, only one interconnecting lead is required.
Advantage
serial data transmission is much simpler and less expensive because of the use of a single
interconnecting line

Disad
It is a very slow method of data transmission.
Use of Serial data transmission
1.It is useful in systems where high speed is not a requirement.
2.Serial data transmission techniques are widely used in transmitting data between a
computer and its peripheral units.
Reason ; While the computer operates at very high speeds, most peripheral units are slow
because of their electromechanical nature. Slower serial data transmission is more compatible
with such devices. Since the speed of serial transmission is more than adequate in such units,
the advantages of low cost and simplicity of the signal interconnecting obtained
Note :
Most computers have three types of ports: serial, parallel, and USB. A serial port is a type of
interface that connects a device to the system unit by transmitting data only one bit at a time.
Serial ports usually connect devices that do not require fast data transmission rates, such as a
mouse, keyboard, or modem. A parallel port is an interface that connects devices by
transferring more than one bit at a time. Many printers connect to the system unit using a
parallel port. A universal serial bus (USB) port can connect up to 127 different peripheral
devices with a single connector type, greatly simplifying the process of attaching devices to a
personal computer.
Error detection
In a networking transmission errors occur while sending data due to noise interference. Error
detection is important.
Methods of error detection
Parity check
Check digit
Checksum
1.Parity check
Parity checks are used during transmission of data to detect errors that have been caused by
interference or noise. All data is transmitted as a sequence of 1s and 0s. A common type of
error that occurs during data transmission is that a bit is swapped from a 0 to a 1 or a 1 to a 0
by electrical interference. Parity checks detect this type of error.
How it works
Transmission
1) When data is transmitted each character is encoded as a 7-bit binary number. e.g. the letter
C has the code 1000011.
2) An eighth bit is added to make a byte. This bit is called a Parity Bit.

3) A system can use either even or odd parity Since there are three 1s in this code and odd parity is being used, a 0 is added to the left hand
side of the group of bits so that the total for the byte is odd. If an even parity were being used
a 1 would need to be added so that the total for the byte would then be an even number
Reception
1) When a character is received the number of 1s and 0s in the byte are counted :

In an even parity system the receiver checks that each received byte contains an even
number of 1s and 0s.

In an odd parity system the receiver checks that each received byte contains an odd
number of 1s and 0s.

If this is not the case then an error must have occurred. A request will be sent to the
transmitter to ask it to send the byte again
2,.Check digit(check sum character)
Check digit( Modulo-11 weighted check digit calculation).

A check digit, also known as a checksum character, is the number located on the far right side
of a bar code. The purpose of a check digit is to verify that the information on the barcode has
been entered correctly. The barcode reader's decoder calculates the checksum by performing a
series of mathematical operations on the digits that precede the check digit, and comparing
the result of the calculation to the value of the check digit.
for example a barcode or an ISBN number:
ISBN 1 84146 201 2
The check digit is the final number in the sequence, so in this example it is the final 2.
The computer will perform a complex calculation on all of the numbers and then compare the answer
to the check digit. If both match, it means the data was entered correctly.
Using the check digit to calculate whether a code is correct
Step 1

Remove the last digit from the ISBN number

Write out the remaining numbers starting from the right hand number in the ISBN.
ISBN

Step 2b

Put a 10 underneath the first number, 9 under the second etc

Code

10

Step 2c

Multiply the number by the code underneath it

Code

10

Result

10

72

32

24

30

Step 3

Add the results from the bottom row together:

Divide the total by 11 and record the remainder

Take the remainder away from 11.

Compare the answer from step 5 with the original check digit that you removed in step 1.
Step 5 answer = 2
Step 1 check digit removed = 2
If the numbers are the same then the check digit has confirmed the original numbers were
entered correctly.

Note: ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique number assigned to each
book.

Error correction
Automatic repeat request(ARQ)
Automatic repeat request (ARQ) is a protocol (It is the special set of rules that end points in a
telecommunication connection use when they communicate) for error control in data
transmission. When the receiver detects an error in a packet, it automatically requests the
transmitter to resend the packet. This process is repeated until the packet is error free or the
error continues beyond a predetermined number of transmissions. ARQ is sometimes used
with Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication to guarantee data integrity.