DTE and DCE
DTE interface interface DTE
modem modem
host computer DCE
terminal
chapter 6 1
Interface
• DCE
– Responsible for transmitting and receiving bits
– Work with other DCE’s, need to use same encoding
schemes and data rates
• DTE
– Interacts with DCE
– Exchange data and control information
– Done over a set of wires called interchange circuits
• Standards
– Specify the interface between the DTE and DCE
chapter 6 2
Interface
• Interface Specifications have four parts
– Mechanical
• Type of plugs, number of pins
– Electrical
• Voltage levels
• Duration of signal elements
– Functional
• Specify functions of the pins or the interchange circuits
– Procedural
• Specify the sequence of events for transmitting data based
upon functional characteristics
chapter 6 3
Digital Data Transmission
Analog vs. Digital
x(t)
Analog signals
Value varies continuously
t
Digital signals x(t)
Value limited to a finite set
t
Binary signals x(t) 1 1 1
Has at most 2 values
Used to represent bit values 0 T 0 0 0
Bit time T needed to send 1bit
Data rate R=1/ T bits per second
t
Information Representation
• Communication systems convert information into
a form suitable for transmission
• Analog systemsAnalog signals are modulated
(AM, FM radio)
• Digital system generate bits and transmit digital
signals (Computers)
• Analog signals can be converted to digital signals.
Components of Digital
Communication
• Sampling: If the message is analog, it’s converted to
discrete time by sampling.
(What should the sampling rate be ?)
• Quantization: Quantized in amplitude.
Discrete in time and amplitude
• Encoder:
– Convert message or signals in accordance with a set of rules
– Translate the discrete set of sample values to a signal.
• Decoder: Decodes received signals back into original
message
Different Codes
0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1
Advantages
• Stability of components: Analog hardware
change due to component aging, heat, etc.
• Flexibility:
– Perform encryption
– Compression
– Error correction/detection
• Reliable reproduction
Applications
• Digital Audio • Digital Audio
Transmission Recording
• Telephone channels • LP vs. CD
• Lowpass • Improve fidelity
filter,sample,quantize (How?)
• 32kbps-64kbps • More durable and
(depending on the don’t deteriorate with
encoder) time
Communication Devices
• A communications devices is a hardware component that enables
a computer to send (transmit) and retrieve data, instructions and
information to and from one or more computers.
• Main device is MODEM.
What is a Cable Modem &
how does it work?
• A Cable Modem is a digital modem that uses a
coaxial cable connection for the data transmission.
• This data connection is received by a cable
modem that decodes the signal into your PC.
How fast is a Cable Modem?
• Cable modems are up to 10-20Mbps downloads.
Typical downloads are over 300Kbps, or close to
600Kbps, but the speed of the cable modem depends
on a few things. First it depends on how many users
are on the system since the cable technology is a
"shared "Bandwidth . Too many users using too
much throughput can drain this “shared” technology.
The second factor to cable modem speed is a limit
on the cable modem itself. Some cable providers
will limit the upload or download speed on the cable
modem, and this could affect your connection speed.
How secure is a Cable Modem?
• Cable connections are not 100% secure in any instance like
many other connections on the Internet. Even though most
cable providers block ports 137-139, cable modems are likely to
be generated in any case where a user has file and print sharing
turned on, or possibly other services like SMTP (Simple mail
transfer protocol), Web Servers and Telnet services. A general
rule is to keep passwords long and turn off any service that you
don't absolutely need running. A firewall type application
should be used to keep a network as secure as possible.
Cable Modems vs. ADSL
• There is one major advantage that ADSL has over cable
modems. Cable modems use a shared networking
technology where all the cable modems share a single pipe
to the Internet. This pipe speed will fluctuate depending
on the number of subscribers on the network.
• When ADSL is used, the pipe to the Internet is solely
"yours", and is not shared along the way to a central office.
This allows for a more consistent speed, and this speed
does not typically fluctuate like cable modem networks.
Who makes Cable Modems & what are
some Cable Modem Service Providers?
• There are many cable modem brands, and some of
the most common ones are from Com21,
Motorola, Bay Networks, RCA, Cisco, Toshiba,
3Com, and Terayon.
