Core: Communication Systems

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions, in syllabus order. Each dot point has a focused answer, with exam-style questions and worked answers where available.

How do real communication systems such as email, messaging, the internet and EDI carry out the information processes?

Describe examples of communication systems, including email, instant messaging, the internet and the web, electronic data interchange and teleconferencing, and how each transmits and receives information

Examples of communication systems. Email, messaging, the internet and web, EDI and teleconferencing, with the client server model and the traps markers look for.

6 min read →

How are networks structured and what media and methods are used to transmit data across them?

Describe network topologies, network types and transmission media, and compare transmission methods used to carry data between devices

Networks and transmission. LAN and WAN, star, bus and mesh topologies, guided and wireless media, bandwidth, and the traps markers look for.

6 min read →

What functions must take place for a message to travel from a source to a destination across a communication system?

Describe the communication framework as the functions performed when transmitting and receiving data, including message creation, organisation, control, addressing, transmission, synchronisation, error detection and decoding

Communication framework. The functions performed from source to destination, the role of protocol levels, and the traps markers look for.

6 min read →

What security, privacy and social issues arise when information is communicated across networks?

Describe the social and ethical issues raised by communication systems, including message security and encryption, privacy of communications, the effect on work and society, and the digital divide

Issues raised by communication systems. Message security and encryption, privacy, effects on work and society, and the digital divide, with the traps markers look for.

6 min read →

What are the functions of a communication system and how do protocols make communication between devices possible?

Describe the functions performed within a communication system and the role of protocols and handshaking in transmitting and receiving data

Communication functions and protocols. The message, sender, receiver, encoding, handshaking, the OSI idea, TCP/IP, and the traps markers look for.

6 min read →