Lecture Description: This lecture delves into the essential concepts of signals, encoding, and transmission media within the Physical Layer of networking. We begin by exploring signals and their forms—analog and digital—and how they represent data for transmission. Participants will understand the critical characteristics of these signals, such as amplitude, frequency, and phase, which are fundamental to signal manipulation.
We then cover encoding methods, focusing on how data is converted into transmittable signals. Various encoding techniques, including digital-to-digital, analog-to-digital, digital-to-analog, and analog-to-analog, are discussed, along with their applications in data communication. This segment highlights encoding strategies like unipolar, polar, bipolar, and modulation techniques (ASK, FSK, PSK, and QAM), each suited for specific transmission needs.
The lecture progresses to transmission media types, categorizing them as guided (twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables, and fiber-optic cables) and unguided (radio waves, microwaves, and infrared). We discuss the physical properties of each medium, their use cases, advantages, and limitations, helping participants make informed decisions in network setup and optimization.
By the end of this lecture, participants will be equipped with foundational knowledge of signal properties, encoding techniques, and transmission media, enabling them to design and maintain reliable and efficient communication systems.
