Chapter 2 Data Transmission

Question 1
(a) parallel
any one from:
– 8 bits/1 byte/multiple bits sent at a time
– using many/multiple/8 wires/lines (1 mark)

serial
any one from:
– one bit sent at a time
– over a single wire (1 mark) [2]

(b) parallel
– faster rate of data transmission (1 mark)

serial
any one from:
– more accurate/fewer errors over a longer distance
– less expensive wiring
– less chance of data being skewed/out of synchronisation/order (1 mark) [2]

(c) parallel
any one from:
– sending data from a computer to a printer
– internal data transfer (buses) (1 mark)

serial
– connect computer to a modem (1 mark) [2]

Question 2
(a)
– universal serial bus
– description of USB [1]
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

(b) Any two from:

– devices are automatically detected and configured when initially attached
– impossible to connect device incorrectly/connector only fits one way
– has become the industry standard
– supports multiple data transmission speeds
– lots of support base for USB software developers
– supported by many operating systems
– backward compatible
– faster transmission compared to wireless [2]

Question 3

(b) (i) byte number: 7

column number: 6
[2]
(ii) Any two from:
− letter “A”(byte 7) transmitted as odd parity (three 1s)
− column 6 has odd parity (seven 1s)
− intersection of byte 7 and column 6 indicates incorrect bit value
[2]

Question 4
(a) (i) 1 mark for correct check digit and 1 mark for showing the calculation

(4 × 1) + (2 × 2) + (4 × 3) + (1 × 4) + (5 × 5) + (0 × 6) + (8 × 7)
= 4 + 4 + 12 + 4 + 25 + 0 + 56 = 105
105/11 = 9 remainder 6
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

check digit is: 6 [2]

(ii) 1 mark
– No/incorrect check digit

2 marks
– Total is 78
– 78/11 …
– … gives 7 remainder 1
– check digit should be 1 [3]

(ii) Any one from:

– an even number of digits are changed
– a transposition error(s) has occurred [1]

Question 5
(a) 1 mark for correct check digit and 1 mark for showing the calculation
(4 × 1) + (2 × 2) + (4 × 3) + (1 × 4) + (5 × 5) + (0 × 6) + (8 × 7)
= 4 + 4 + 12 + 4 + 25 + 0 + 56 = 105
105/11 = 9 remainder 6
check digit is: 6 [2]

(b) incorrect check digit [1]

– check digit should be 1
– (3*1) + (2*2) + (4*3) + (0*4) + (0*5) + (4*6) + (5*7) // 3 + 4 + 12 + 0 + 0 + 24 + 35 //
Total = 78
– 78/11 gives 7 remainder 1 [2]
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

Question 6

(b) Any two from:

– single wire means there is less chance of interference/data corruption
– single wire reduces costs
– more reliable over greater distances
– bits will still be synchronised after transmission [2]

Question 7
(a) (i) Any two from:
serial
– one bit sent at a time // bits sent sequentially
– over a single wire
– synchronous or asynchronous
[2]
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

(ii) Any two from:

parallel
– several bits / a byte sent at a time
– using many / multiple wires
– synchronous
[2]
(b) – serial
Any two from:
– serial data transmission more reliable over long distances
– less likely for the data to be skewed/out of synchronisation
– less interference as only a single wire
– it is a cheaper connection as only single wire needed // cheaper to set up
– a fast connection is not required as a printer is limited by its printing speed
[3]

Question 8
(a) Intersection of Row 7 and column 4 circled [1]
(b) – Row (byte number) 7 has an odd number of 1s (five 1s)
– Column (bit number) 4 has an odd number of 1s (five 1s)
[2]
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

Question 9

Question 10
(a) Register Z [1]
(b) (i) (byte) 5 [1]
(ii) (column) 4 [1]
(iii) corrected byte is: 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 [1]
(iv) that gives the value: 1 5 9
(follow through applies) [1]
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

(v) Any two from:

– The byte would be transmitted without having 5 consecutive 1’s
– The fault condition would not be recognised

Question 11
(a)

(b)
Four from:
• Uses acknowledgement and time out
• Check performed on received data // error is detected by e.g. parity
check, check sum
• If error detected, request sent to resend data // negative
acknowledgment is used
• If no acknowledgement is sent that data is received // positive
acknowledgement is used
• Data is resent / Resend request repeated, till data is resent correctly 􀂫
• 􀂫 or request times out // limit is reached

Question 12
Two marks for each correct description
Parity Check
• Checks a byte of data
• Check is performed when data is received
• A parity bit is added (to the parity byte)
• Counts / checks number of 1’s // counts / checks to see if 1’s are even
// counts / checks to see if 1’s are odd
• Can be even or odd
• If parity is incorrect, error is detected
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

Check digit
• A digit that is calculated from the data // uses modulo to calculate digit
// valid description of modulo
• It is appended / added to the data
• Digit is recalculated when data is entered
• Digits are compared to check for error

Checksum
• A value is calculated from the data // Valid description of calculation
• It is transmitted with the data
• Value is recalculated after transmission
• Values are compared after transmission to check for error
Automatic Repeat reQuest
• Uses acknowledgement / request and time-out
• Error control protocol
• Check performed on receiving data // error is detected by e.g. parity
check, check sum
• If error detected, request is sent to resend data // negative
acknowledgement is used
• Resend request is repeated till data is sent correctly / requests time
out / limit is reached
• Send acknowledgement that data is received // positive
acknowledgement is used
• If acknowledgement not received in set time data is resent

Question 13
4(a)(i)

4(a)(ii) Any four from (Max 3 for serial):

• Serial has less/lower interference
• Serial is (more) reliable/accurate over distances
• In serial the bits won’t be skewed
• In serial it is easier to collate the bits together again after transmission
• Duplex transmits data in both directions at the same time
• simplex/half-duplex/remaining methods won’t allow read and write at same time
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

Question 14

2(b) Two from:

• Set of rules for controlling error checking/detection // it’s an error detection method // used to detect errors
• Uses acknowledgement and timeout
• Request is sent (with data) requiring acknowledgement
• If no response/acknowledgment within certain time frame data package is resent
• When data received contains an error a request is sent (automatically) to resend the data
• The resend request is repeatedly sent until packet is received error free/limit is reached/acknowledgement
received

2(c) Checksum

Question 15
Packet switching
Any three from:
• A circuit does not have to be established at the start of the communication
• The data to be sent is divided into packets
• That can travel along different routes
• From node to node
• Packets are reassembled in the correct order at the receiver’s end
• Must wait until the last packet is received to put the data back together

Asymmetric encryption (Sample answer for 9608 paper)

Asymmetric encryption uses different keys for encrypting and decrypting data. When Wiktor sends a
message to his manager, the message is encrypted into cipher text using his manager’s public key. When
the manager receives the message, it is decrypted using her private key. When the manager replies, the
message is encrypted using Wiktor’s public key, and when Wiktor receives the message, it is decrypted
into plain text using his private key.
Chapter 2 Data Transmission

Question 16

Question 17

9(c)
Four from (maximum two marks per benefit):
• It is a universal standard « • « so it is likely to be compatible with the computer

• It can only be inserted one way « • « so there is less chance of connecting a device incorrectly

• It is a high-speed connection « • « so data will be transmitted quicker

• It uses serial transmission « • « so it is cheaper to manufacture/buy • « less chance of skewing / errors

• It doesn’t require a (wireless) network « • « therefore, can be used if a network is down

• It is backwards compatible « • « so no additional technology is needed

• It can power the device « • « therefore no separate source of power is needed

Chapter 2 Data Transmission

• Drivers are automatically downloaded // device is automatically identified « • « so no need to find them
online / install them manually