Chapter 6 - Physical Layer

It is about the characteristics of Physical Layer, the lowest layer in the ISO/OSI reference model. Most of the network problems such as noise interference, incompatible cable connection and line disconnection come from this layer.

Objective
Understand various definition of standards related to this layer Identify the characteristics and role of physical layer Understand the PC communications using 8250 UART communication chip

Physical Layer
The lowest layer in ISO/OSI reference model and is about the transmission of data from one point to another over the communications media This layer is dealt with the physical data transmission and is related to:
Type of transmission medium (Copper wire, air, optical fiber etc.) The transmission media such as telephone cable are sometimes regarded as Layer 0. Modulation and demodulation scheme (FSK, PSK, digital data). Message switching techniques

Four Specification
Mechanical specification such as socket layout, pin size etc. Electrical specification such as the electronic signals for certain pins. Functional specification such as timing or clocking signals Procedural specification such as the sequence of events required to effect the data transfer across a pair of modems.

EIAEIA -232 232-D

The EIA standard RSRS-232C (RS refers to Recommended Standard) was developed in 1969 is still widely used. The latest version is called RSRS-232D.
Electrical, ITUITU-T V.28 Functional, ITUITU-T V.28 Mechanical, ISO 2110 Procedural, CCITT V.24

Characteristics
This is a 2525-pin connector with data, control, timing and ground signal pins. Not all of them are used for data transmission

DTEDTE -DTE (Computer to Computer port)

When terminals are connected directly to a computer port, it is necessary to cross over some of the wires in order to communicate properly. When two computer ports are connected running at synchronous protocol, either one should provide the correct timing or a null modem with proper timing signals is required.

PC to PC
Three Pins, Transmit, Receive and Signal Return
Transmit Null Modem Transmit

Receive
Signal Ground

DTEDTE -DCE (Synchronous)

This is a normal configuration of the V24 interface between the computer and modem. It therefore uses the straight through cable. That is to say there is no cable cross.

Serial communications
It takes place by transmitting and receiving data in a stream of consecutive electrical pulses that represents bits. The EIA (Electronic Industries Association) has recommended several standards for serial communication such as:
RS RS-232 232-D (Similar to ITUITU-T V.24) RS RS-422 RS RS-423 RS RS-449

Wiring Diagram
Apart from the conventional wiring diagrams between computer & modem and computer & computer.

Serial communication controller

The fundamental element of the serial port is an IC called 8250, universal asynchronous receiver and transmitter (UART).

Modem Commands
The modem supports the standard and extended Hayes* AT command set. The AT prefix (also known as the Attention Code), signals the modem that one or more commands are to follow. These commands are industry standard language used to communicate with the modem. The modem is always either in the command mode, or the onon -line mode. Commands are only accepted by the modem when it is in command mode. Commands may be entered from the terminal mode of most communications software packages.

Basic Commands
AT, This prefix begins all but two commands you issue to the modem locally,, and tells the modem "ATtention! commands to follow". D, Dial. Use the D command to dial a telephone number from the command line. The format of the command is ATD and the string parameter can contain up to 45 characters +++, Escape Character Sequence. After the users have connected to another modem A/, Repeat. This command does not use the AT prefix nor does it require a carriage return to enter. Typing this command causes the modem to repeat the last command line entered Zn, Reset Modem. This command (in which n=0 or 1) resets the modem to the configuration profile stored in nonnon-volatile memory location 0 or 1.

An example: ATD 27888639

Below shows the connection to CityU's Link Plus to access the Internet service. The AT commands include ATZ, AT10, ATTD2xxxxxx etc.

X.20 and X.21 Recommendation

For digital networks such as X.25 packet switching network, X.20 and X.21 are another interface standards. X.21 is a 1515-pin connector. However, only eight lines as shown below are required.

EIA RSRS-449/RS 449/RS-422/RS 422/RS-423

RS449 corresponding to CCITT (ITU(ITU-T) V.35 is a 3737-pin connector and supports transmission rates up to 2Mbps with cable length to 60 meters. It defines both mechanical (pin and plug configuration) and procedural (signal descriptions) aspects similar to RS232. The electrical specifications (balanced or unbalanced circuit) are defined by RS422 and RS423 respectively.

Current Loop
An obsolete technology to extend the physical distance up to 300 meters. It uses the current signal, presence of current signal or absence (no current), to represent binary 0 or 1 (mark or space) instead of voltage level in RS232D. The most common current values are 20 mA and 60 mA. This transmission method could support half or full duplex, which requires 2 or 4 wire connection