N-GEN Communications Web-based Seminars ©NGCS

Seminar - An Overview of Communications Technologies

Module 2 - Data Communications Basics and Legacy Technologies                                                 Slide 5 of 45 _________________                                                                                  __________

                                        Building Blocks - Information Types

                                            Real-time

                                            Non-real-time

_________________                                                                                  __________

All informations, in context of communicating over a network, can be categorized as either real-time or non-real-time. The voice and video information is real-time and their communication does not tolerate any delay. The data communicated between the two computers or terminals is non-real-time information and is not susceptible to delays.

The real-time information communications networks, the Public Switched Telephone Network, meet the design requirements for voice communications. The communications delay between the two parties separated by far distances is acceptable. The real-time information communications networks for voice and video were two distinct networks to meet the two distinct characteristics.

The data can be transmitted in real-time and non-real-time. The on-line control systems cannot tolerate delays. Most of the business and consumer transactions are non-real-time. The overlay networks on the Public Switched Telephone Network were initially used for data communications.

The 21st century networks to carry voice, data, video information on one platform are complex to meet real-time and non-real-time information communications requirements.