Question

Error control and Flow control is critical in effective frame transfer in a data link layer. Discuss the types of errors in detail and suggest suitable solutions for the same

Answer 1

Types of Errors

• Single bit error – this is an error that occurs when only 1 bit of a certain data unit is changed from 1 to 0 or 0 to 1. This error occur if there is a parallel data transmission where separate wires are used in transmitting all the data bits.

The suitable method for correcting single bit error is the single bit error correction.  

• Burst error – is an error that occurs when two or more data bits are changed from 1 to 0 or 0 to 1. In this error, the length is measured from the bit that changed first to the bit that changed last and most likely happens through serial transmission.

Bust error correction is the suitable method of correcting burst errors in data sequence.

• Multiple bits error – is an error that occurs when there is a change in two or more data sequence bits of a transmitter to receiver. This error can happen in both serial and parallel type network of data communication.

The suitable method of correcting multiple bits error is through the use of hamming code which is a useful in detecting errors of up to two or more instantaneous bit errors.