Data Communications &

Computer Networks
Assignment 1
Solutions
Fall 2004

Reminder for the rules for

assignments (1)

All assignments must be done individually

You should NOT:

1. Copy any part of another student's answers.

2. Allow another student to copy your work.
3. Present the work of another as your own. If you
use the idea of another in your work, you MUST
provide appropriate attribution (that is, cite the
work and the author).
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Reminder for the rules for

assignments (2)
It is the students responsibility to make up for any
missed work due to his/her absence(s).
Assignments should be handed-in on time
10 November 2004 for assignment 1

However, they can be submitted up to one week

late, but will receive a 10% mark reduction penalty.
NO credit will be given for ANY assignment
submitted later than one week from the due date,
since we will go over the assignment in class.

Answer to Problem 1
a) Give two reasons for using layered protocols? (4 marks)
- Smaller more manageable pieces
- Protocols can be changed without effecting higher or lower layers.
b) List two main disadvantages to layered approach to protocols
(4 marks)
- More processing
- More overhead due to the headers added by the layers
c) A system has an n-layer protocol hierarchy. Applications generate
messages of length M-bytes. At each of the layers, an h-byte header
is added. What fraction of the network bandwidth is filled with
headers? (6 marks)
Each message is M-bytes long. There are n-layers each one adding an h-byte
header, therefore, each message that is transmitted through the network is
(nh+M) bytes long. The fraction of the network bandwidth that is filled with
headers is given by nh/(nh+M)
If it is assumed that the bottom layer (physical) does not generate any
header, then there shall be (n-1)h headers generated, so the fraction of the
network bandwidth that is filled with headers is given by (n-1)h/[(n-1)h+M]

Answer to Problem 2
a) What is the difference between a confirmed service and an
unconfirmed service? For each of the following, tell whether it
might be a confirmed service, an unconfirmed service, both or
neither:
(7 marks)
(i)Connection establishment
(ii)Data transfer
(iii)Connection release

In a confirmed service, there is a request, an indication, a response and

a
confirmation.
In an unconfirmed service, there is just a request and an indication.
Connection establishment: Confirmed service, since an explicit
response is required
Data transfer: Can be confirmed or uncorfirmed, depending whether or
not the sender needs an acknowledgement
Connection release: This is a disconnect service, therefore it is
unconfirmed since there is no response

Answer to Problem 2
b) What is the principal difference between connectionless communication
and connection-oriented communication? Is it possible to have both of them
in two adjacent layers? Discuss! (6 marks)
Connection-oriented service is modelled after the telephone system. To use a
connection-oriented network service, the service user first establishes a connection,
uses the connection and then it releases the connection.
Connectionless service is modelled after the postal system. Each message (letter)
carries the destination address and each one is routed through the system
independent of all the others.
Yes, it is possible to have connection-oriented and connectionless service in adjacent
layers. Example is TCP/IP. TCP is connection-oriented protocol that lies in transport
layer (layer 4), IP is connectionless that lies in network layer (layer-3).
c) What is the main difference between TCP and UDP protocols? Give an
example of a service these protocols can support? (6 marks)
TCP provides reliable connection-oriented protocol that delivers a byte stream from
one node to another, guaranteeing delivery and provides flow control. TCP can be used
in file transfer applications.
UDP provides unreliable connectionless protocol for applications. UDP can be used in
applications for carrying voice traffic over packet-switched networks.

Answer to Problem 3
a) Contrast and criticize OSI and TCP reference models outlining their similarities and
differences. (6 marks)
Both models have network, transport and application layers with similar functionalities. Both are
based on the concept of a stack of independent protocols. However, OSI supports both
connectionless and connection-oriented communication in the network layer but only
connection-oriented communication in the transport layer. TCP/IP has only connectionless mode
in the network layer but supports both connectionless and connection-oriented communication in
the transport layer.
OSI model : Has been devised before the corresponding protocols were invented
Has good definition of service, interface, and protocol
Fits well with object oriented programming concepts
Protocols are better hidden
TCP model : the protocols came first, the model was just a description of the protocols
the model isn't good for any other protocols part from TCP/IP.
A critique of OSI model: Bad Timing (TCP already in use by the time OSI came along)
Bad Technology (Layers don't really match. Dominated by phone
company mentality)
Bad Implementation (Huge, unwieldy, slow).
A critique of TCP/IP model: Doesn't separate specification from implementation.
Model is only good for describing TCP.
Doesn't specify physical and data link layers.

Answer to Problem 3
b) Which layer of the OSI reference model is responsible for the
following: (6 marks)
(i)Negotiating data transfer syntax
Presentation
(ii)Addressing devices and routing through an internetwork Network
(iii) Framing
Data Link
(iv) Flow control, acknowledgement, windowing
Transport
(v)Coordinating communications between systems
Session
(vi) Synchronizing sending and receiving applications
Application

c) At which layer of the OSI reference model are the following

components positioned? (4 marks)
(i) Router
Layer 3 - Network
(ii) Repeater
Layer 1 Physical
(iii) Switch
Layer 2 Data Link
(iv)HubLayer 1 - Physical

Answer to Problem 4
a) A noiseless channel has a bandwidth of 10kHz. If digital
quaternary signaling is used (i.e. four voltage levels per symbol)
(i)What is the maximum bit rate (capacity) of the channel? (4
marks)

The maximum bit rate for a noiseless channel of 10kHz bandwidth with
quaternary signalling is 2 x BW x log2n = 2 x 10 kHz x 2 = 40kbps, using
Nyquist equation.

(ii) How would (i) change if the channel signal to noise ratio is
30dB?
(4 marks)
If the channel SNRdB=30 dB then we must use Shannons equation, that is
Maximum bit rate = BW x log2(1+SNR).
For a SNRdB of 30dB, the SNR ratio is 103=1000 since 10 log10(SNR)=30 dB
So, the maximum bit rate is 10kHz x log 2(1+1000)=99.67kbps

Answer to Problem 4
(iii)One way to increase the maximum bit rate is to change the
encoding and use phase modulation together with amplitude
modulation. This will increase channel capacity. For the
constellation pattern shown below, find the maximum bit rate of
the channel, assuming that the channel is noise free. (4 marks)

Assuming a noiseless channel, the maximum bit rate is 2 x BW x log 2(n)

=
2 x 10kHz x 3 = 60kbps, where n=8 states.

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Answer to Problem 4

(b) A signal described by the following equation is inserted through a noisy channel
of 13dB signal-to-noise ratio. What is the maximum achievable data rate?
(6
marks)

where k= 1, 3, 5

The above equation can be expanded as follows

s(t)=(4/){sin(20000t)+(1/3)[sin(60000t)]+(1/5)[sin(100000t)]}

This equation is in analogy with the general Fourier series equation for k=1, 3, 5 i.e.
s(t)=(4/){sin(2ft)+(1/3)[sin(2(3f)t)]+(1/5)[sin(2(5f)t)]}

Bandwidth is the highest frequency component minus the lowest frequency component of the signal.
The highest frequency component is given by sin(2(5f)t) and the lowest by sin(2ft). So,
2ft=20000t => 2flowestt = 20000t => flowest=20000/2 = 3.183kHz
2(5f)t=100000t => 2fhighestt = 100000t => fhighest = 100000/2 = 15.915kHz
Bandwidth = fhighest - flowest = 15.915 3.183 = 12.732kHz

For a SNRdB of 13dB, SNRdB=10 log10(SNR)=13 dB, so SNR ratio is 101.3=19.95

Maximum data rate as given by Shannons equation is
BW x log2(1+SNR) = 12732 x log2(1+19.95) = 55.88kbps

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Answer to Problem 5
a)Briefly differentiate between copper and fiber optic cables for
establishing a communication channel in terms of bandwidth,
interference, flow of information and cost. (8 marks)

Metric
Bandwidth
Interference
Flow of Information
Cost

Fiber
High
Low
Uni-directional
High

Copper
Low
High
Bi-directional
Low

b)A leased line is known to have a loss of 40dB. The output signal
power is measured as 7mW and the output noise level is
measured as 3.5W. Using this information calculate the output
signal-to-noise ratio in dB. (6 marks)

SNRdB=10 log10 (SNR)= 10 log10(Pout/Nout)= 10log10(7x10-3/3.5x10-6)= 33dB

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Answer to Problem 6
(a) By halving the transmission frequency as well as halving the
distance between transmitting and receiving antennas by how
many decibels is the received signal power improved or reduced?
(8 marks)

Assume that tx and rx antennas are d1 meters apart at a frequency f1. Then
(Pt/Pr)1 = (4d1)2/12 = (4 f1 d1)2/c2
If frequency is halved, i.e. f2=f1/2, and distance is halved, i.e. d2=d1/2 then
(Pt/Pr)2 = (4d2)2/22 = (4 f2 d2)2/c2 = (4 (f1/2) (d1/2))2/c2 =
(1/16)(4 f1 d1)2/c2 = (1/16)(Pt/Pr)1
Therefore, signal reduces by 10log10 [(Pt/Pr)2 / (Pt/Pr)1 ] = 10log10 (1/16)=
-12dB

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Answer to Problem 6
b) You are receiving television signals from a synchronous
geostationary satellite 40,000 km away at 11.75 GHz using a parabolic
antenna.
(i) What is the free space loss in decibels? (5 marks)

The free space loss in ratio is Pt/Pr = (4d)2/2 = (4 f d)2/c2

or, in decibels: LdB = 10 log10 (Pt/Pr) = -20log() + 20log(d) + 21.98 dB

where Pt = signal power at tx antenna,

= carrier wavelength in m
Pr = signal power at rx antenna,
f = carrier frequency,
c = speed of light (~3x108 m/s),
d = distance between antennas
in m

Since f=11.75GHz, then =c/f = 3x108/11.75x109 = 0.02553 meters

Hence, LdB = -20log() + 20log(d) + 21.98 dB =>
-20log(0.02553) + 20log(40000x103) + 21.98 =
31.87 + 152.04 + 21.98 = 205.9dB

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Answer to Problem 6
(ii) Assuming that the antenna gain of both the satellite and
ground-based earth station are 45dB and 50dB, respectively, and
that the earth station transmits at an output power of 200W,
what is the power received at the satellite antenna? (6 marks)

Assuming that the antenna gain of both the satellite and ground-based
earth station are 45dB and 50dB the free space loss is
LdB = 205.9 45 50 = 110.9dB
Since the Earth station transmits at an output power of 200W, a power of
200W translates into 10log(200) = 23dBW, so the power received at the
receiving satellite antenna is 23-110.9 = -87.9 dB
PowerdB=10 log10Power=-87.9 dB =>
Power=10(-87.9/10)=1.62x10-9= 1.62nW

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