BTEC 2012

Unit 1 The Online World

Name: Ben Canning

Lesson 9 Data Exchange

(Student Book B Pg 11 - 14)

Starter What is the role of a CODEC? What is a CODEC another name for?
The role of CODEC is a device or computer program capable of encoding
or decoding a digital data stream or signal.

1. Explain what VoIP stands for and how it works.

Voice over Internet Protocol. VoIP is a group of internet protocols which provide a means of sending
voice and multimedia communication over the internet rather than by public telephone networks.
Real time communication has become more and more common, with communication y Voice over
internet protocol.
2. There are three transmission modes used in communication, these are shown in the
diagram below. Explain what each is and how it operates.

Transmission Mode
Simplex

Description
The computer sends a document to the printer, the printer receives the
document and then prints it onto paper.
Someone texts another person and that person receives it, then that person
can send a message back.

Half Duplex

Duplex (Full Duplex)

Two people can have a conversation over the phone, where they receive
audio data at the same.

A.Silver

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World

Name: Ben Canning

3. The table below shows the main transmission methods that are used. Complete the table
to find out the key details, benefits and limitations of each.

Wired
Type
Cable used

UTP / STP
Unshielded twisted pair
(UTP) cables are basic
pairs of cables twisted
together.

Max Speed

250 Mbps

Max Distance
Benefits

100m
Twisting cancels out
some interference.

Coaxial
Solid wire core
Separated from a copper
Braided outer cable by a
plastic insulation sheath.
The inner cable transmits
The data and the outer
cable connects to earth.
1,000 Mbps (or more for
Category 7 cable)
100m
Fast and reliable

Fibre Optic
Glass or plastic cables
which use total internal
reflection of light to
transmit data. Normally
uses LED or laser visible
light, although infrared
has also been used.
2.4 Gbps (higher has
Been achieved in
Laboratory testing)
50km
Fast.
Works over long
Distances. Little
Interference.

Very low cost and

Adaptable.

Limitations

Slower and with less

capacity than other
cables, and can only be
used over short
distances. Susceptible
to noise.

Costs more than UTP/

STP.
Susceptible to noise.

Complex connection and

Termination equipment.

Example of use

Analogue telephone
Network.

Connection to cable TV
Networks.
Aerial/ dish connection to
TV.

The cable networks use

fibre from their source to
the distribution panels
in the street. From there
they use coxal cable to
individual households.

A.Silver

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World

Name: Ben Canning

Wireless
Type
Cable used

Infrared
Short range data
Transmissions using
Infrared light ( just
Beyond visible light).
This is the same
Technology as is used in
TV handsets.

Max Speed
Max Distance

4 Mbps
100m

Benefits
Tends to be reliable.

Microwave
Sort wavelength radio
Transmissions working
At very high frequencies.

Satellite
Data is transmitted from
Earth to a satellite, which
Relays it to the relevant
Receiving station back
On earth.

300 Gbps

Huge

100m

Between circa 500 km

to 36,000 km.
Signal degrades very
Can increase the
Little over long distances Distance a network can
Reach.

Limitations

Devices must be in a
Expensive
Short Range
Direct line of sight.
Devices must be in a
Can be affected by rain,
Direct line of sight.
Pollen and sun spot
Can suffer from external Activity.
Interference.
Can suffer from external
Interference.

Example of use

Keyboard, printer,
Earth to satellite
Mouse, to processor unit. Communication.
Handsets.
Bluetooth.

Global communication
Systems.

Plenary How many geostationary satellites are there in orbit and what do they provide?
There are 300 operational geostationary satellites in orbit. They provide a broad range of
functions, including communications, weather forecasting, television broadcasting, and defense
and intelligence gathering operations.

A.Silver