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Communication
Official AQA 7517 section 4.9.1.
0
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
64 min
Study time
AqaA LevelComputer ScienceFundamentals of communication and networking
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Communication methods1 objectives
- Communication methods: Define serial and parallel transmission methods and discuss the advantages of serial over parallel transmission. Define and compare synchronous and asynchronous data transmission. Describe the purpose of start and stop bits in asynchronous data transmission.
Communication basics1 objectives
- Communication basics: Define: • baud rate • bit rate • bandwidth • latency • protocol. Differentiate between baud rate and bit rate. Bit rate can be higher than baud rate if more than one bit is encoded in each signal change. Understand the relationship between bit rate and bandwidth. Bit rate is directly proportionate to bandwidth. 82
Key terms
Serial transmissionAsynchronous transmissionBit rateBaud rate
Exam tips
- Link every advantage to a reason: When asked for an advantage of serial transmission, state both the advantage and why it matters, such as fewer lines reducing cost or avoiding skew.
- State the units and relationship precisely: When comparing baud rate and bit rate, identify what each one counts and include the relevant per-second unit. For bandwidth questions, state that bit rate is directly proportional to bandwidth.
Common mistakes
- Confusing serial and parallel transmission: Serial transmission sends bits one after another, usually using fewer communication lines. Parallel transmission sends multiple bits simultaneously over separate lines.
- Confusing baud rate with bit rate: Baud rate counts signal changes per second, while bit rate counts bits per second. If more than one bit is encoded in each signal change, bit rate is higher than baud rate.
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