Introduction to Networks and Digital Representation

Vocabulary terms and definitions regarding network types, smart devices, digital data representation in binary and ASCII, and signal transmission methods.

Internet

A worldwide collection of interconnected networks (internetwork) cooperating to exchange information using common standards.

Small office/home office (SOHO) networks

Networks that allow computers in a home or remote office to connect to a corporate network or share local resources like printers and documents.

Small Home Networks

Networks that connect a few computers to each other and to the internet.

Medium to Large Networks

Networks used by corporations and schools that can have many locations with hundreds or thousands of interconnected hosts.

Smartphone

A device that combines functions such as a telephone, camera, GPS receiver, media player, and touch screen computer with internet connectivity.

Tablet

A multifunctional device featuring a larger screen than a smartphone, an on-screen keyboard, and the capability to perform laptop-like tasks such as emailing.

Smartwatch

A wearable device that connects to a smartphone for alerts and messages and includes health-tracking functions like heart rate monitoring and step counting.

Smart Glasses

A wearable computer, such as Google Glass, that features a small display screen and a touch pad for menu navigation.

Head-Up Display (HUD)

The type of small screen display used in smart glasses, similar to those used by fighter pilots, that allows the user to see information while maintaining visibility.

Smart TV

A television that connects to the internet to access content, browse the web, or compose email without needing equipment from a TV service provider.

RFID Tags

Radio frequency identification tags placed in or on objects to track them or monitor sensors for various conditions.

Sensors

Connected devices that collect data on physical conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure, and soil moisture.

Actuators

Components triggered automatically by sensor data, such as a device that waters soil when a smart sensor detects low moisture levels.

Medical Devices

Items such as pacemakers and insulin pumps that provide direct feedback or alerts to users and medical professionals regarding vital signs.

Bit

Short for "binary digit," it is the most basic unit of data in a computer and can only take one of two values: $0$ or $1$.

Input devices

Hardware such as mice, keyboards, and voice-activated receivers that convert human actions into binary code for the CPU.

Output devices

Hardware such as printers, speakers, and monitors that transform binary data back into formats recognizable by humans.

ASCII

The American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a commonly used encoding system that utilizes eight bits to represent each character.

Byte

A group of eight bits used to digitally represent characters and various types of information.

Media

The physical medium used for data transmission, including copper wires, fiber-optic cables, and electromagnetic waves traveling through air.

Electrical Signals

Data represented through electrical pulses transmitted over copper wire.

Optical Signals

A transmission method where electrical signals are transformed into light pulses for delivery, typically over fiber-optic cables.

Wireless Signals

An approach using infrared, microwave, or radio waves to convey information through the air.