← Years 5–6 Digital Systems

Wired transmission

Sending data as signals along a physical cable, such as a USB, Ethernet or fibre optic cable. Wired links are usually fast and reliable.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems & Security — Module 22, 7-8 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Digital Systems and Security — Module 24, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 2.1 Data Transmission Types and Methods — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Networks and Sharing Data — Module 9, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 12, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Network Communications — Module 7, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Cyber Security — Module 26

Understanding Wired transmission in Years 5–6 Digital Systems

What it does: Plugging a phone into a computer with a USB cable sends data as signals along the physical cable, which is wired transmission. Fibre optic cables use light and are very fast, which makes them good for long distances. USB cables are mainly for short connections to devices.

Common mistakes: An Ethernet cable sends electrical signals along copper wires. Light signals are used in fibre optic cables. The line should be signal = "electrical". Text must be written as a string in quotes. It should be cable = "fibre optic".

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 21–30) and word search (Modules 21–52).

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Learning
Duo
How does wired transmission send data?
As signals through the air with no cableAs signals along a physical cable
Matches
Fibre optic cable: data travels as electricity
↓
Fibre optic cables send data as pulses of light, not electricity. Electrical signals are used in cables like Ethernet.
Applying
Meanings
Term
wired transmission
Meaning
Sending data as signals along a physical cable, such as a USB, Ethernet or fibre optic cable. Wired links are usually fast and reliable.
Practice
Wired transmission sends data along a cable.
Testing
Gaps
Wired transmission sends data along a
Check Answer
Spots
1cable = "Ethernet"
2signal = "light"

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Quick Questions

1. How does wired transmission send data?
A. As signals along a physical cable ✓
B. As signals through the air with no cable
Wired transmission carries data as signals along a physical cable. Wireless transmission uses the air instead.
2. Which of these is a wired connection?
A. A device joined to Wi-Fi
B. An Ethernet cable plugged into a computer ✓
An Ethernet cable is a physical cable, so it is wired. Wi-Fi sends data through the air without a cable.
3. You plug a USB cable from a printer into a computer. What kind of transmission is this?
A. Wired transmission ✓
B. Wireless transmission
A USB cable is a physical cable that carries data signals between devices, so it is wired transmission.
4. What does a fibre optic cable use to carry data?
A. Pulses of light ✓
B. Radio waves
Fibre optic cables send data as pulses of light along thin strands of glass or plastic. Radio waves are used in wireless transmission.
5. Which cable can carry data very quickly over long distances using light?
A. USB cable
B. Fibre optic cable ✓
Fibre optic cables use light and are very fast, which makes them good for long distances. USB cables are mainly for short connections to devices.

Match the Pairs

Ethernet cable → A wired link that carries data as electrical signals between a computer and a router or switch
fibre optic cable → A cable that sends data as pulses of light along thin strands of glass
A USB cable is a physical wire that carries data signals between a device and a computer → USB cable: phone -> computer
Wired connections are usually fast and reliable because the signal stays inside the cable → Ethernet cable = fast + reliable
Fibre optic cable: data travels as electricity → Fibre optic cables send data as pulses of light, not electricity. Electrical signals are used in cables like Ethernet.
Wired transmission: phone -> Wi-Fi -> router → This shows wireless transmission. Wired transmission needs a physical cable, such as Ethernet, between the devices.

Key Term

wired transmission
Sending data as signals along a physical cable, such as a USB, Ethernet or fibre optic cable. Wired links are usually fast and reliable.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Wired transmission sends data along a cable
Hint: Type the physical thing that data travels along in a wired connection
2. Fibre optic cables send data as light
Hint: Type what fibre optic cables use instead of electricity to carry data
3. A USB cable connects a device to a computer
Hint: Type the short name of the cable used to charge phones and plug in printers
4. An Ethernet cable joins a PC to a router
Hint: Type the name of the cable commonly used for wired network connections
5. Wired connections carry data as signals
Hint: Type the word for the pulses of electricity or light that carry data along a cable

Spot the Error

Question 1
A cable = "Ethernet"
B signal = "light"
C speed = "fast"
D print(cable, signal)
Line B — An Ethernet cable sends electrical signals along copper wires. Light signals are used in fibre optic cables. The line should be signal = "electrical".
Question 2
A cable = fibre optic
B signal = "light"
C print(cable, signal)
Line A — Text must be written as a string in quotes. It should be cable = "fibre optic".
Question 3
A cable = "USB"
B connected = True
C if connected = True:
D print("Data can flow")
Line C — A single = assigns a value. An if statement compares with ==. It should be if connected == True:.
Question 4
A cable = "Ethernet"
B speed = 1000
C unit = "Mbps"
D print(cable, speed, unit
Line D — The print call is missing its closing bracket. It should be print(cable, speed, unit).
Question 5
A cable = "fibre optic"
B if cable == "fibre optic":
C signal = "light"
D else
E signal = "electricity"
Line D — An else statement must end with a colon. It should be else:.

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