Signal Element Versus Data Element:
Let us distinguish between a data element
and a signal element. In data communications, our goal is to send data elements. A
data element is the smallest entity that can represent a piece of information: This is the
bit. In digital data communications, a signal element carries data elements. A signal
element is the shortest unit (time wise) of a digital signal. In other words, data elements
are what we need to send; signal elements are what we can send. Data elements are
being carried; signal elements are the carriers.
Let us distinguish between a data element
and a signal element. In data communications, our goal is to send data elements. A
data element is the smallest entity that can represent a piece of information: This is the
bit. In digital data communications, a signal element carries data elements. A signal
element is the shortest unit (time wise) of a digital signal. In other words, data elements
are what we need to send; signal elements are what we can send. Data elements are
being carried; signal elements are the carriers.
