Data Communications

Course Description

This course introduces the fundamental principles of data communications and networking as applied in electronic engineering technology contexts. Students examine how digital data is transmitted across various media and network architectures, with emphasis on protocols, signal encoding, error detection, and network configuration. The course includes a laboratory component in which students gain hands-on experience with network hardware, protocol analyzers, and data communication test equipment. The "C" suffix indicates combined lecture and laboratory instruction.

This course is part of the Florida statewide Engineering Technology A.S. degree framework, developed collaboratively among Florida state colleges to ensure common courses and industry-relevant content aligned with national technology standards.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the seven layers of the OSI Reference Model and the four/five layers of the TCP/IP protocol suite, describing the major functions performed at each layer.
• Describe how bits are represented as signals on various physical transmission media, including modulation techniques, synchronous and asynchronous communication, multiplexing, and framing.
• Identify and compare guided and unguided transmission media (twisted pair, coaxial cable, fiber optic, and wireless) and their signal propagation characteristics.
• Explain and apply error detection and correction techniques including parity, checksums, and cyclic redundancy check (CRC).
• Describe data link layer protocols, framing, flow control mechanisms, and media access control (MAC) methods such as CSMA/CD.
• Identify common network topologies (bus, star, ring, mesh) and their associated media access techniques.
• Explain IP addressing concepts including IPv4, subnetting, and an introduction to IPv6.
• Configure and test basic LAN and WAN connectivity using standard networking hardware and software tools.
• Use a protocol analyzer (e.g., Wireshark) to capture, interpret, and troubleshoot network traffic.

Optional Outcomes

The following outcomes may be included depending on institutional emphasis and available laboratory resources:

• Analyze serial communication interfaces (RS-232, RS-485, USB) and their use in industrial and embedded systems.
• Describe wireless networking standards (IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi families) and basic wireless LAN configuration.
• Explain routing concepts, including static routing and an introduction to dynamic routing protocols.
• Identify and configure basic network security measures including VLANs, access control lists (ACLs), and encryption fundamentals.
• Describe industrial data communication protocols (Modbus, PROFIBUS) and their use in automation environments.
• Explain cloud networking concepts and virtualization as they relate to modern enterprise infrastructure.

Major Topics

Required Topics

1. Introduction to Data Communications — terminology, data vs. signals, bandwidth, throughput, latency; analog vs. digital transmission.
2. Network Models — OSI seven-layer model; TCP/IP model; comparison of layered architectures; encapsulation and decapsulation.
3. Physical Layer Fundamentals — signal encoding (NRZ, Manchester, 4B/5B); modulation (AM, FM, PSK, QAM); multiplexing (FDM, TDM, WDM); spread spectrum.
4. Transmission Media — twisted-pair (UTP/STP), coaxial cable, fiber optic cable; wireless propagation; cable specifications and standards (TIA/EIA-568).
5. Data Link Layer — framing; flow control (stop-and-wait, sliding window); error detection (parity, CRC, checksums); error correction (Hamming code); HDLC; PPP.
6. Media Access Control (MAC) — CSMA/CD; CSMA/CA; Ethernet frame structure; IEEE 802.3 standards; MAC addressing.
7. Local Area Networks (LANs) — Ethernet topologies and standards (Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet); switches and hubs; VLANs (introductory).
8. Network Layer / IP — IPv4 addressing; subnetting and CIDR; ARP; ICMP; introduction to IPv6; packet forwarding.
9. Transport Layer — TCP vs. UDP; ports and sockets; connection establishment (three-way handshake); flow control and congestion control.
10. Wide Area Networks (WANs) — WAN technologies overview (DSL, cable modem, fiber broadband, cellular); circuit switching vs. packet switching.
11. Network Devices and Infrastructure — hubs, switches, routers, access points; basic router/switch configuration (CLI).
12. Laboratory Skills — cable fabrication and testing (RJ-45 crimping, cable tester); use of protocol analyzers; basic network configuration and troubleshooting procedures.

Optional Topics

• Serial Interfaces — RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, USB; interface standards and signal levels; use in embedded and industrial systems.
• Wireless Networking — IEEE 802.11 standards (a/b/g/n/ac/ax); SSID, channels, and security (WPA2/WPA3); Bluetooth and ZigBee overview.
• Network Security Fundamentals — common threats; firewalls; NAT; VPNs; encryption basics (symmetric vs. asymmetric).
• Industrial Protocols — Modbus RTU/TCP; PROFIBUS; CAN bus; application in manufacturing and automation environments.
• Routing Protocols — static vs. dynamic routing; RIP, OSPF overview; default gateway configuration.
• Voice over IP (VoIP) and Multimedia — RTP/RTCP; QoS fundamentals; VoIP system architecture.
• Cloud and Virtualization Concepts — IaaS, PaaS, SaaS; software-defined networking (SDN) introduction; virtual LANs and virtual machines.

Resources & Tools

• Textbook: Data Communications and Networking with TCP/IP Protocol Suite by Behrouz A. Forouzan (McGraw-Hill, 6th Edition, 2022) — widely used in Florida college EET programs.
• Protocol Analyzer: Wireshark (open-source) — used for packet capture and analysis in laboratory sessions.
• Network Simulation: Cisco Packet Tracer — free simulation tool for designing and testing network configurations.
• Hardware Lab: Network switches, routers, patch panels, cable testers, RJ-45 crimping tools, and UTP/fiber patch cables.
• Test Equipment: Digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and network cable certifiers for physical layer verification.
• Online Resources: Cisco Networking Academy (netacad.com); CompTIA Network+ study materials; IEEE Standards Association (standards.ieee.org).

Career Pathways

Completion of EET2355C supports entry-level and advancing roles in the electronics and networking industries. Graduates of programs including this course are well-positioned for careers in the design, testing, and maintenance of communication systems and networks.

• Network Technician — Install, configure, and maintain LAN/WAN infrastructure for businesses and organizations.
• Telecommunications Technician — Support data and voice communication systems including cabling, equipment installation, and troubleshooting.
• Electronics Technician (Communications) — Work with electronic communication devices and systems in manufacturing, defense, or broadcast sectors.
• Industrial Controls Technician — Apply data communications knowledge to industrial automation networks (SCADA, PLC networks, Modbus).
• IT Support Specialist / Help Desk Technician — Provide network connectivity support and basic infrastructure troubleshooting.
• Field Service Engineer — Deploy and service communication hardware and network equipment at customer sites.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

The content of EET2355C aligns with preparation for the following industry certifications, which students are encouraged to pursue upon or before course completion:

• CompTIA Network+ — Vendor-neutral certification covering networking infrastructure, protocols, troubleshooting, and security; highly relevant to course content.
• Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking — Entry-level Cisco certification validating fundamental networking knowledge including OSI/TCP-IP models, media, and basic device configuration.
• CompTIA A+ (Core 2 / Networking Domain) — Relevant for students also pursuing IT support roles; networking domains overlap significantly with EET2355C topics.

Florida's statewide Engineering Technology A.S. degree framework is designed to align coursework with national industry standards, and completion of this course counts toward program requirements at all participating Florida state colleges.