Data Communication Codes
Data Communication Codes
1. MORSE CODE
-1st data communication code
-used three-unequal-length symbols (dot, dash, and space to encode alpha/number character punctuation marks and
interrogation words)
-insufficient selection of graphic and data link control character
2. BAUDOT CODE
-sometimes called “Telex Code”
-first developed by Thomas Murray (French postal engineer) in 1857 and named after
Emile Baudot
- 5-bit character code used for low-speed teletype equipment
- there are 25 or 32 combinations possible which is insufficient to represent 26 letters of the alphabet, the 10 digits, and
the various punctuation marks and control character
-uses figure shift and letter shift character to expand its capabilities to 58 characters
-CCITT International Alphabet #2
3. ASCII CODE
- American Standard Code for Information Interchange
- CCITT Int’l Alphabet #5
- 7-bit character set, 27 or 128 combinations
- LSB is designated bo
- MSB is b2
- B7-parity bit
- LSB is transmitted first
•
4. EBCDIC
- LSB - b7
- MSB - b0
Discrete code.
A discrete bar code has spaces or gaps between characters. Therefore, each character within the bar code is
independent of every other character.
Code 39 is an example of a discrete bar code.
Continuous code.
A continuous bar code does not include spaces between characters.
An example of a continuous bar code is the Universal Product Code (UPC).
2D code.
A 2D bar code stores data in two dimensions in contrast with a conventional linear bar code, which stores data along
only one axis.
2D bar codes have a larger storage capacity than one-dimensional bar codes (typically 1 kilobyte or more per data
symbol).
Code 39
- One of the most popular bar codes was developed in 1974 and called Code 39 (also called Code 3 of 9 and 3 of 9
Code).
- Code 39 uses an alphanumeric code similar to the ASCII code.
- Code 39 consists of 36 unique codes representing the 10 digits and 26 uppercase letters. There are seven additional
codes used for special characters, and an exclusive start/stop character coded as an asterisk (*).
- Code 39 bar codes are ideally suited for making labels, such as name badges.
Example.
Charac Binary Word Bits Spaces Check Charac. Val.
• 0 000110100 00110 0100 0
• 2 001100001 01001 0100 2
Universal Product Code
- The grocery industry developed the Universal Product Code (UPC) sometime in the early 1970s to identify their
products.
- The National Association of Food Chains officially adopted the UPC code in 1974.
- Today UPC codes are found on virtually every grocery item from a candy bar to a can of beans.