Technical Aspects of Data Communication

This document, the third edition of Technical Aspects of Data Communication by John E. McNamara, serves as an essential reference for individuals involved in designing, programming, or utilizing data communication hardware.

Key areas covered include: * Fundamentals: An introduction to serial vs. parallel transmission, asynchronous and synchronous communications, and the role of UARTs and USRTs. * Interface Standards: Detailed information on EIA-232-D, EIA-422-A, EIA-423-A, and EIA-530 standards. * Modems: Discussion of modem types, control leads, and configuration, including specific guidance on private lines and switched networks. * Multiplexers: Explanations of asynchronous multiplexers and advanced features such as Direct Memory Access (DMA) and FIFO buffering. * Telephone Switching: Historical context and technical explanations of telephone switching systems, call routing, and signaling. * Protocols: Analysis of character-oriented protocols like BISYNC, byte count-oriented protocols like DDCMP and Kermit, and bit-oriented protocols like SDLC and HDLC. * Error Detection: Detailed breakdown of parity, Longitudinal Redundancy Checks (LRC), and Cyclic Redundancy Checks (CRC), including implementations. * ISDN: An overview of Integrated Services Digital Network standards. * Local Area Networks: Introduction to LAN topologies and access methods.

This book is intended to provide the necessary technical background for those bridging the gap between high-level system design and low-level hardware registers.