Data communication is the transfer of data from one place to another through the network. It can be wireless or wired medium, like optical fibers or copper wires, or a computer bus. The transferring information is typically represented as an electromagnetic signal which may vary in speed and amplitude.
In data communication, the most difficult task is transmitting information over long distances. Signals travelling over long conductors are affected by noise or electrical distortion which can alter the original data.
Error detection plays an essential role in successful data communication. This is done by adding checksums to the data packets which comprise a transmission, and comparing the sum to all packets arriving at the destination. If the sum equals zero, there were no errors in the data transmission.
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of data communication, it’s important to maintain a high rate of transmission. This can be accomplished by ensuring that the data flows over a medium free of interference or by transmitting redundant information to prevent loss due to momentary interruptions.
Data communication that is effective is essential for many applications, such as traffic information, chat, file downloads and Internet-based services. For instance, traffic data communicates real-time estimations of traffic speed to motorists and passengers in vehicles on roads, which could assist them in making better informed decisions about their journey.