WordNet
n. an interconnecting circuit between two or more locations for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data [syn: link]
Wikipedia
In telecommunication a data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving digital information. It can also refer to a set of electronics assemblies, consisting of a transmitter and a receiver (two pieces of data terminal equipment) and the interconnecting data telecommunication circuit. These are governed by a link protocol enabling digital data to be transferred from a data source to a data sink.
There are at least three types of basic data-link configurations that can be conceived of and used:
- Simplex communications, most commonly meaning all communications in one direction only.
- Half-duplex communications, meaning communications in both directions, but not both ways simultaneously.
- Duplex communications, communications in both directions simultaneously.
In civil aviation, a data-link system (known as Controller Pilot Data Link Communications) is used to send information between aircraft and air traffic controllers when an aircraft is too far from the ATC to make voice radio communication and radar observations possible. Such systems are used for aircraft crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. One such system, used by Nav Canada and NATS over the North Atlantic, uses a five-digit data link sequence number confirmed between air traffic control and the pilots of the aircraft before the aircraft proceeds to cross the ocean. This system uses the aircraft's flight management computer to send location, speed and altitude information about the aircraft to the ATC. ATC can then send messages to the aircraft regarding any necessary change of course.
In unmanned aircraft, land vehicles, boats, and spacecraft, a two-way ( full-duplex or half-duplex) data-link is used to send control signals, and to receive telemetry.
In telecommunications a data link is the means of connecting one location to another for the purpose of transmitting and receiving digital information.
Data link or datalink may also refer to:-
- Data link layer, layer 2 in the OSI model of networking and part of the link layer in TCP/IP, amongst others
- Timex Datalink, a smartwatch manufactured by Timex during the 1990s
Usage examples of "data link".
As eventful as the night had been thus far, it seemed a good idea to stay within reach of the data link that, like a spider, spun a silken web enmeshing all of Moonlight Cove.
Not in sight or sound but some other perception, coming somehow through this intense data link.
Communications links may be as simple as a phone line, a wireless data link such as cellular digital packet data, or as complicated as a high speed fiber optic link.
Again, he tugged on the data link cable, then tried to convince himself that he felt an answering tug in reply.
He was oblivious to the unscheduled fierce snowstorm that was raging outside the building, and when the priority override interrupted his data link with news of the Mariana Monsters (the press’.
As the nanomachines put the finishing touches to the apparatus, wiring the neutron source and detectors to the hays data link, Yatima thought of contacting Blanca.
The helicopter's on-board data link also transmitted a test message to the frigate.