Computer Networking and Data Communication

By Prof. Dr. G. Kulanthaivel | National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai

Learners enrolled: 304

The industrial revolutions progressed from Industry 1.0 (1780 - mechanization via steam power) to 2.0 (1870 - mass production with electricity), 3.0 (1970- automation with IT and electronics), and 4.0 (2011 - smart factories using Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, etc). Industry 5.0 (started in the year 2020) is the next stage, which emphasizes human-machine collaboration and a human-centric approach, focusing on sustainability, personalization, and integrating human creativity with technology.

In today’s digitally driven world, seamless communication underpins activities such as messaging, multimedia streaming, and online transactions, all of which rely on reliable data networks. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of how information is transmitted, encoded, routed, and secured across digital networks. Through theory, practical illustrations, and real-world case studies, learners will explore the architecture of modern communication systems - from basic signals to advanced wireless and high-speed networks.

Learners will develop a strong conceptual base and gain technical knowledge relevant to engineering, IT industries, and research, with coverage that includes the fundamentals of analog and digital communication, OSI and TCP/IP reference models, network topologies and media, digital and analog transmission techniques, both wired and wireless technologies, routing and switching mechanisms, protocols, error control methods, and real-world applications in the Internet, mobile networks, and satellite systems.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	8 weeks
Category :	Teacher Education
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Diploma
Start Date :	26 Jan 2026
End Date :	30 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :
Translation Languages :	English
NCrF Level	4.5 — 5.5
Industry Details :	Education and Training

Contact NC Support

Email id | swayam@nitttrc.edu.in, swayam@nitttrc.ac.in

Page Visits

Course layout

By the end of this course, the leaners will be able to

Understand fundamental concepts of data communication.
Differentiate between analog and digital transmission.
Analyze wireless communication technologies.
Apply data link layer protocols and error control mechanisms.
Explain network models, switching techniques, and routing.
Understand different Transmission Media used and how Transmission Control protocol (TCP) manages reliable data transfer.

Unit 1 - Introduction to Data Communication

Unit 2 – Digital & Analog Transmission

Unit 3 – Wireless Communication

Unit 4 – Data Link Layer Technologies

Unit 5 - Transmission Media & Transmission Control protocol.

Books and references

1. Computer Networking A top down Approach: J.F.Kurose Pearson

2. Computer Networks and Internet D.E. Comer Pearson

3. Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, 2nd edition T. Rappaport Prentice Hall, 2002

4. Wireless Communication and Networking John W. Mark, Weihua Zhuang

5. Modelling and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks Jeremiah F. Hayes

6. Data communication & Networking Stallings

Instructor bio

Prof. Dr. G. Kulanthaivel

National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai

Prof. Dr. G. Kulanthaivel, Professor & Head, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Chennai, India received his Ph.D. degree in the Faculty of Information and Communication Engineering from Anna University, Chennai. He completed his Master’s degree in Microwave and Optical Engineering from Madurai Kamaraj University and Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from University of Madras. He has also obtained his Master’s degree in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from TNOU, India. He is having experience of more than 32 years out of which around 29 years in training of technical teachers in India and abroad.

He has worked in Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), Manila, Philippines as Faculty Consultant & Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Division for nearly four years (2014 – 2018) on Government of India deputation. He is an Accreditor for Asia-Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC), Philippines from 2014. He has also acted as Acting Director General of CPSC and Acting President of APACC for more than one year.

His area of interest includes Biomedical Engineering, Computer Networking, Communication Engineering, Virtual Instrumentation, Telemedicine, Industry 4.0/ 5.0, Cyber Physical Systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Instructional Design and Delivery Systems, ICT applications in Teaching and Learning Process, TVET and Accreditation.

He has published/presented more than 100 papers in the National/International Journals/Conferences/Seminars. He has visited around 20 countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, China, Dubai, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand) and conducted different Quality Improvement Programmes.

He has received many awards from different Organizations. He is member of many International/National Professional bodies including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering {IEEE(USA)}, American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and International Vocational Education and Training Association {IVETA – USA}. He is Fellow of the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers - (FIETE), Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India) - (FIE) and presently Chairman of IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (IEEE-TEMS Madras Chapter).

Course certificate

"The SWAYAM Course Enrolment and learning is free. However, to obtain a certificate, the learner must register and take the proctored exam in person at one of the designated exam centres. The registration URL will be announced by NTA once the registration form becomes available. To receive the certification, you need to complete the online registration form and pay the examination fee. Additional details, including any updates, will be provided upon the publication of the exam registration form. For more information about the exam locations and the terms associated with completing the form, please refer to the form itself."

Grading Policy:

- Internal Assignment Score: This accounts for 30% of the final grade and is calculated based on the average of the best three assignments out of all the assignments given in the course.

- Final Proctored Exam Score: This makes up 70% of the final grade and is derived from the proctored exam score out of 100.

- Final Score: The final score is the sum of the average assignment score and the exam score.

Eligibility for Certification:

- To qualify for a certificate, you must achieve an average assignment score of at least 10 out of 30, and an exam score of at least 30 out of 70. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >=40/100.

Certificate Details:

- The certificate will include your name, photograph, roll number, and the percentage score from the final exam. It will also feature the logos of the Ministry of Education, SWAYAM, and NITTTR.

- Certificate Format: Only electronic certificates (e-certificates) will be issued; hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy Learning.

*********