SIGNAL THEORY

Ben Bradbury

DIGITAL SIGNALLING METHODS

Digital signal processing (DSP) are
methods that are used in order to
improve the accuracy of data that is
being transmitted. An example of this
would be the improved sound quality
due to different effects in audio devices
such as radios or surround sound
systems.

REPRESENTING DATA
ELECTRONICALLY
Bits- Bits are the smallest possible unit of

data within computing. It stands for binary

digit. Each individual bit has a binary value of
0 or 1. Multiple Bits are called Bytes.
Bytes- Bytes is a term used for multiple Bits,
they are used within computing. They are
similar to bits but contain more data as they
contain multiple bits. Bytes are used to store
data and follow specific instructions.

REPRESENTING DATA
ELECTRONICALLY
Packet Structures- Packets within computing

are units of data that are carried across a

network. Due to this, the bandwidth of
communication can work better as it will be
much stronger between the transmitter and the
receiver. A pack of data is made up of many
types of data, such as control information. This
provides the instructions to ensure that the
packet is delivered to the right location.

DATA TRANSFER METHODS

Synchronous Transmission- Synchronous

transmission refers to a method of which a data

signal sequence is sent and is accompanied by
timing signals. Due to this the transmitter and
receiver will be in sync with each other. This
data is transmitted in packets and used in
protocols such as Ethernet.
Asynchronous Transmission- Asynchronous
transmission is opposite to the synchronous
transmission as it refers to the data being sent
in spurs. This form of transmissions is common
within communications such as telephone lines.

ERROR DETECTION AND

CORRECTION
Error Detection- Error detection is when

software is used in certain ways to ensure

certain data is correct and has no errors. Errors
could potentially occur during the transmission
of data due to channel noise.
Error Correction- Error correction is the follow
up step to error detection as after data has
been transmitted it reconstructs the data and
ensures that there is no errors being
transmitted to the receiver.

WHAT IS BANDWIDTH
Bandwidth- Bandwidth can be defined

as a measurement of how much data is

able to be sent through an individual
communication channel. Bandwidth is
measured in bps or Bits Per Second. Due
to recent advancement in the world of
technology, gigabits are able to be sent
within a second, this is because millions
or even billions of bits are able to be
transferred at the same time within
seconds.

BANDWIDTH LIMITATION AND

NOISE
Bandwidth Limitation- Bandwidth limitations are set by

the internet provider in order for them to sell a lower

speed to transfer data for cheaper, and a higher speed to
transfer data for much more. As most people want a
higher internet speed, they are more likely to pay for the
more expensive internet connection.
Bandwidth Noise- Bandwidth noise can be defined as a

form of electromagnetic energy that causes the quality of

signals and data to become degraded. If someone was to
use error detection and correction, then it would help to
minimise any bandwidth noise.

CHANNEL TYPES
Telephone- Telephone communication is where people

speak to each other over a long distance with the use of

a telephone or a mobile phone. This is made possible by
electric signal conductors or radio signals. This happens
over a radio channel which is where bit-stream
information is sent by the transmitter to the receiver.
Satellite- Satellites are essential for communication,

satellites are defined as man-made objects of which are

put into space to orbit the earth. Satellites enable the use
of high bandwidth and are able to be used by a large area
due to its location.

CHANNEL TYPES
Microwave- Microwaves is a form of

transmission in which electromagnetic radiation

can differ in size to enable transmission at a
high bandwidth. Microwaves use multiple
channels in order to transmit data wirelessly.
High Frequency (HF) Radio- HF Radio waves
can be used as a quick form of transmission as
the waves are used at a high frequency
between 3-30 MHz, this is used by mobile
phones and many other wireless devices.

OTHER ISSUES
Data Compression- Data compression is

responsible for making files smaller and this

makes it possible for data to be transmitted
quickly because of how small the file would be.
There are two different types of data
compression, these are lossy and lossless. Lossy
means that quality will be lost as the file size is
decreased, such as compressing an image
might make it become blurry. Lossless means
that the data remains exactly the same but the
data will still be compressed in order for the file
size to be made smaller.