Distinguish between a signal element and a data element?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

A signal element is the smallest unit of a signal, representing a specific state or level of a signal. In contrast, a data element carries information or data that is being transmitted or received between systems or devices. Signal elements are part of the physical signal while data elements are the actual information being communicated.