Practice A2.3 Data transmissions with authentic IB Computer Science (First Exam 2027) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2, 3 structure, covering key topics like programming concepts, algorithms, and data structures. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
A financial trading firm implements ultra-low latency networking for high-frequency trading operations.
Evaluate different latency optimization techniques including kernel bypass, RDMA, hardware timestamping, dedicated fiber, and FPGA processing. Discuss their latency reduction potential, implementation costs, complexity, and typical performance gains.
Explain the business impact of microsecond latency differences in high-frequency trading.
A data centre implements various error detection and correction mechanisms for high-reliability storage systems.
Describe the capabilities and limitations of different error handling methods: parity bits, checksums, CRC, Hamming codes, and Reed-Solomon codes. Include their detection capabilities, correction abilities, overhead costs, and typical applications.
Explain why Reed-Solomon codes are specifically chosen for satellite communications and optical storage media.
A live streaming platform optimizes video transmission quality across varying network conditions.
Design an adaptive streaming protocol analysis table:
| Streaming Protocol | Adaptation Method | Buffer Requirements | Latency | Quality Switching | Network Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) | High | — | — | — | Good |
| DASH | Bitrate adaptation | Medium | Fast | — | — |
| WebRTC | Low | — | — | — | High |
| RTMP | — | High | — | Manual | — |
| SRT | — | — | — | Smooth | — |
Analyse how Quality of Experience (QoE) metrics guide adaptive bitrate decisions in video streaming.
A satellite communication company optimizes data transmission protocols for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.
Compare the effectiveness of TCP, UDP, SCTP, QUIC, and custom protocols for satellite communications, considering reliability, overhead, latency tolerance, error recovery mechanisms, and optimal use cases.
Explain why traditional TCP performs poorly in satellite communications and propose two specific modifications that would improve performance.
An autonomous vehicle manufacturer develops vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems for traffic safety.
Analyse different wireless communication technologies for V2X applications:
| Technology | Range | Latency | Bandwidth | Reliability | Infrastructure Required | Safety Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSRC (802.11p) | — | <100ms | High | — | — | — |
| C-V2X (LTE) | Long | — | High | — | Cellular towers | — |
| 5G mmWave | — | <10ms | — | — | Dense deployment | High-speed coordination |
| WiFi 6 | Short | — | Medium | — | — | — |
Evaluate the trade-offs between direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication and infrastructure-based communication for emergency braking scenarios.