Digital Communication Protocols, Methods and DevicesKevin Craig

COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)• An application protocol for distributed, collaborative,

hypermedia information systems. HTTP is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web.

• Hyper Text is structured text that uses logical links between nodes containing text. HTTP is the protocol to exchange or transfer hyper text.

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)• A technical standard for accessing information over a mobile

wireless network. A WAP browser is a web browser for mobile devices such as mobile phones that use the protocol.

• As of 2013, WAP use has largely disappeared in Europe and the United States. Most modern handset internet browsers now support full HTML and do not need to use WAP markup for webpage compatibility.

GSM (Global System for Mobile)• A standard developed by the European Telecommunications

Standards Institute to describe protocols for second generation digital cellular networks used by mobile phones.

• The GSM standard was developed as a replacement for first generation analog cellular networks, and originally described a digital circuit-switched network optimized for full duplex voice telephony.

3G (3rd Generation Protocol)• Is the third generation of mobile telecommunications

technology. This is based on a set of standards used for mobile devices and mobile telecommunication use services and networks that comply with the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union.

• 3G finds application in wireless voice telephony, mobile internet access, fixed wireless internet access, video calls and mobile TV.

4G (4th Generation Protocol)• Is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications

technology succeeding 3G. A 4G system, in addition to usual voice and other services of 3G system, provides mobile ultra-broadband internet access, for example to laptops with USB wireless modems, to smartphones and to other mobile devices.

• Even though 4G is a successor technology of 3G, there can be signification issues on 3G network upgrade to 4G as many of them were not built on forward compatibility.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)• Is a packet oriented mobile data service on the 2G and 3G

cellular communication system’s global system for mobile communications. GPRS was originally standardized by European Telecommunications Standards Institute in response to earlier CDPD and i-mode packet-switched cellular technologies.

• GPRS usage is typically charged based on volume of data transferred, contrasting with circuit switched data, which is usually billed per minute of connection time. Usage above the bundle cap is either charged per megabyte or disallowed.

Bluetooth• Is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over

short distances from fixed and mobile devices, and building personal area networks.

• Invented by telecom vendor Ericsson in 1994, it was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables. It can connect to several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization.

Broadband (ADSL)• Refers to the wide bandwidth characteristics of a transmission

medium and its ability to transport multiple signals and traffic types simultaneously. The medium can be coax, optical fiber, twisted pair, DSL local telephone networks or wireless.

• In contrast, baseband describes a communication system in which information is transported across a single channel.

VoIP (Voiceover Internet Protocol)• Is a methodology and group of technologies for the delivery of

voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol networks, such as the Internet.

• The term Internet telephony specifically refers to the provisioning of communications services (voice, fax, SMS) over the public Internet, rather than via the public switched telephone network. Instead of being transmitted over a circuit-switched network, however, the digital information is packetized, and transmission occurs as Internet Protocol packets over a packet-switched network.

METHODS

Forums• An Internet forum or message board is an online discussion site where

people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are often longer than one line of text, and can be archived, if only temporarily.

• Example: The Sims forum, can be accessed on computers, tablets and smartphones although there is no specific mobile version or app. It would be accessed through the mobile’s internet.

• Advantages: A forum is usually about one specific topic e.g. music or film and all users will be interested in subjects surrounding those topics so any information is likely to be reliable.

• Disadvantages: A forum is not a form of instant messaging so any replies to topics will not be done in real time.

Weblogs (Blogs)• A blog is a discussion or informational site published online and consisting

of discrete entries typically displayed in reverse chronological order, showing the most recent post first. A majority are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message each other via GUI widgets on the blogs, and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them from other static websites. In that sense, blogging can be seen as a form of social networking.

• Example: Perez-Hilton.com, can be accessed on computers, tablets and smartphones.

• Advantages: If you are the owner of the blog, you can do whatever you desire with your blog. You decide what to blog about, when to post and manage what topics to discuss.

• Disadvantages: Since blogs are usually run by one specific person, they are usually bias in their views.

Wikis• A wiki is a web application which allows people to add, modify or delete

content in collaboration with others. In a typical wiki, text is written using a simplified markup language or a rich-text editor. While a wiki is a type of content management system, it differs from a blog in that the content is created without any defined owner or author.

• Example: Harry Potter Wiki, can be accessed on computers, tablets and smartphones although there is no specific mobile version or app.

• Advantages: Wikis are very informative and you can further your knowledge on almost any topic as they become more popular, there are always new ones being created on different subjects.

• Disadvantages: Since Wikis are created and edited by the public, not all information can be taken as reliable but usually a poster will include a source.

Email• Electronic mail, most commonly referred to as email, is a method of

exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Email servers accept, forward, deliver and store messages. Neither the users nor their computers are required to be online simultaneously.

• Example: Google Mail, can be used on computers, tablets and smartphones.

• Advantages: Large files e.g. Presentations, work and educational resources and full music albums can be transferred more efficiently via email, rather than done on a mobile phone.

• Disadvantages: Again, Email is not an instant messaging service and replies can be significantly delayed.

IM (Instant Messaging)• Instant Messaging is a type of online chat which offers real-time text

transmission over the Internet. A LAN messenger operates in a similar way over a local area network. Short messages are typically transmitted bi-directionally between two parties, when each user chooses to complete a thought and select “send”.

• Example: MSN Messenger, can be accessed on computers only but was discontinued in early 2013 so mobile version was developed.

• Advantages: Instant Messaging so all replies are done in real time providing both parties are shown as online.

• Disadvantages: Instant Messaging takes away face-to-face, personal experiences that people have when communicating with each other and can make you feel uncertain in who you are actually talking to.

SMS (Short Messaging System)• Short Message Service is a text messaging service component of

phone, Web or mobile communication systems. It uses standardized communications protocols to allow fixed line or mobile phone devices to exchange short text messages.

• SMS can be used on all mobile devices including smartphones however, two users with an iPhone will automatically (providing the service is turned on) communicate over iMessage which is an Instant Messaging service rather than SMS.

• Advantages: It is less time-consuming to make a text message than it is to make an email or log on to a computer to use an instant messenger.

• Disadvantages: Unless you are on some sort monthly mobile contract plan, it will cost you to send an SMS.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging System)• Multimedia Messaging Service is a standard way to send messages that

include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. The most common use is to send photographs from camera-equipped handsets, although it is popular as a method of delivering news and entertainment content including videos, pictures, text pages and ringtones.

• Like SMS, MMS is used on all mobile devices however some smartphones have their own service for it’s users. For example, two iPhone users communicating will be done through the iMessage service rather than SMS and MMS.

• Advantages: Image and video can be transferred through MMS whereas SMS is simple text.

• Disadvantages: You will also be charged for MMS messages.

Video Conferencing• Video Conferencing is the conduct of a video conference by a set of

telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to communicate by simultaneous two-way video and audio transmissions. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a type of groupware.

• Example: Skype, can be accessed on computers, tablets and smartphones that have a forward-facing camera.

• Advantages: Near face-to-face contact means you can be sure of who you are talking to.

• Disadvantages: Basic features can be accessed on free versions however premium features e.g. 3-way or more calls can only be accessed by using a paid subscription service, particularly with Skype.

Virtual Communities• Virtual worlds are the most interactive of all virtual community forms.

In this type of virtual community, people are connected by living as an avatar in a computer-based world. Users create their own avatar character and control their character’s life and interactions with other characters in the 3-D virtual world.

• Example: RuneScape, can be used on computers only. However there are others that can be used on consoles such as Animal Crossing.

• Advantages: Can interact with members from all over the world, without any costs like sending an SMS message to someone from another country.

• Disadvantages: Since members make use of an avatar or character, you can not be sure of the identity of the person you are talking to.

Virtual Learning Environments• A virtual learning environment or learning platform, is an e-learning

education system based on the web that models conventional in-person education by providing equivalent virtual access to classes, class content, tests, homework, grades, assessments and other external resources such as academic or museum website links.

• Example: Moodle, can be accessed on computers. It is most likely available on the tablet format but the files may not be downloadable or be compatible on the tablet.

• Advantages: Most, if not all of your educational resources can be accessed from using one of these environments.

• Disadvantages: One-to-one sessions with a tutor can be replaced by using this platform which may not be beneficial to you or your learning.