Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should be able to understand the functions of the various items of data communications hardware and their appropriate use; and understand the rules that govern how computers communicate with each other and the problems that affect this communication in relation to Wide Area and Local Area networks.
Synopsis Basic concepts: analog and digital signals, modulation techniques, multiplexing techniques, noise and distortion, the information transfer rate, synchronisation, network architectures and the OSI reference model, goals of the OSI model, layered protocols, service primitives. The physical layer and transmission media: conducted media, radiated media, RS-232C, RS-449, transmission protocols, protocol objectives; functional components: error control, flow control, link management, public data switching, message switching, packet switching; Telecom, AUSTPAC, Digital Data Service, ISDN (integrated services digital network), concept standards. Principle of network analysis and design, business factors behind networks, queuing theory. This is a six-point version of COT2004.
Assessment Examination (2 hours): 50% + Practical work and seminar participation: 50%