BTEC 2012

Unit 1 The Online World

Name: Alex Georgiou

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?
A device or program that compresses data to enable faster transmissions and decompresses
received data. Another name is encoding and decoding

1.

Explain what VoIP stands for and how it works.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). It works by allowing you to use your voice in a game or for
example skype uses VoIP to allow you to hear other peoples voices.

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

Description
A channel that can only send information in only one direction

Simplex
When data can be transmitted in both directions but only one at a time, an
example of this is a walkie talkie
Half Duplex

This is when data can be transmitted in two directions at

Duplex (Full Duplex)

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World

Name: Alex Georgiou

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), basic pairs
of cables twister
together/ Shielded Twisted
Pair (STP), these are
similar but have a foil
shielding

Coaxial
Inner conductor
surrounded by a tubular
layer, surrounded by
a tubular conduction
shield

Fiber Optic
Cable containing optical
fibers which carry light to
transmit data

Max Speed

250Mbps

1000Mbps (more for

category 7 cable

Max Distance
Benefits

100m
The twisting cancels out
Some interference.

100m
Fast and reliable

Up to 2.4Gbps (higher
has been achieved in
laboratory testing)
50km
Very fast
Works over long
distances
Little interference
Complex connection and
termination equipment

Limitations

Example of use

Very low cost and adaptable

Slower with less capacity
Costs more than
And can only be used over
UTP/STP
Short distances
Susceptible to noise
Susceptible to noise
Analogue telephone network Connection to cable TV BTs fiber optic
Networks
broadband
Aerial/dish connection to
TV

Wireless
Type
Cable used

Infrared
Short range data
Transmissions using
Inferred light.

Max Speed
Max Distance
Benefits

4Mbps
100m
Is usually reliable

Limitations

Short range
Devices must be in a
direct line of sight.

Example of use

Microwave
Short wavelength radio
Transmission working
At very high frequencies

Satellite
Data is transmitted from
Earth to a satellite, which
relays it back to the
relevant receiving station
on Earth
300gbps
Huge
100m
500km to 36,000km
Signal degrades very
Can increase the
Little over long distances distance a network can
reach
Devices must be in
Very expensive.
direct line of sight.
Can be affected by rain,
pollen, and sun spot.

Can suffer from external

interference
Can suffer from external
Interference.
Keyboard, printer, mouse Earth to satellite
Global communication
To processor unit
Communications.
systems.

BTEC 2012
Unit 1 The Online World
handsets

Name: Alex Georgiou

Bluetooth.

Plenary How many geostationary satellites are there in orbit and what do they provide?
There are 24 Geostationary satellite, they are used for communications television broadcasting, weather
forecasting, and defense and intelligence applications.