In this post we are learn about the Definition of Data and Data communication in data communication and networks.
Definition of Data Communication
Communication can be defined as the exchange of information between two or more bodies. In engineering, exchange of information is not only between people, information exchange also takes place between machines or systems.
Communication has increased significantly in importance in recent years. Voice services have seen unprecedented increase in use throughout the world with the introduction of mobile phones, with embedded data services such as SMS, and web browsing.
Definition of Data
Data is referred to as a piece of information formatted in a special way. Data can exist in a variety of forms, such as numbers or text on pieces of paper, as bits and bytes stored in electronic memory, or as facts stored in a person's mind.
Strictly speaking, data is the plural of datum , a single piece of information. In practice, however, people use data as both the singular and plural form of the word. In electronics terms data is a digital bit or digitized analog signal. Signals are physical quantity that changes with time.
Signal can be a voltage that is proportional to the amplitude of message. It could also be a sequence of pulses in fiber optics cable or electromagnetic wave irradiated by an antenna.
When these signals are transfer between two or more points we say data is transmitted. Transmission of data from source to destination usually takes place via some transmission media and this depends on two main factors; quality of signal being transmitted and characteristics of transmission medium.
Data transmission always uses the form of electromagnetic waves and they are classified into guided electromagnetic waves and unguided electromagnetic waves.
Examples of guided waves are twisted pair, coaxial cable and optical fiber. Unguided waves means transmitting electromagnetic waves but they are not guided as example propagation through air, vacuum and seawater.