Define data communication. Describe simplified data communication model with proper diagram.

Data communication: Data communication is the process of using computing and communication technologies to transfer data from one place to another and vice-versa.

The key elements of data communication model are

Figure: Simplified data communications model

(i) Source: This device generates the data to be transmitted; examples are telephones and personal computers.

(ii) Transmitter: The transmitter that transforms and encodes the information across some sort of transmission system. The device that converts the signal from the source in a transmittable form. So that the signal can propagate through the transmission medium is called transmitter.

(iii) Transmission system: This can be a signal transmission line or a complex network connecting source and destination.

(iv) Receiver: The receiver accepts the signal from the transmission system and converts it into a form that can be handled by the destination device.

For example, a modem will accept an analog signal coming from a network or transmission line and convert it into a digital bit stream.

(v) Destination: The last component of a data communication system is called the destination. It receives the data from the receiver and concludes the communication process.