Manchester Encoding in Computer Network

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Manchester encoding is a synchronous clock encoding technique
used by the physical layer of the Open System Interconnection to
encode the clock and data of a synchronous bit stream. The idea of
RZ and the idea of L are combined in manchester encoding.
Different encoding techniques are used in data communication to
ensure data security and transmission speed.
Manchester encoding is an example of digital encoding. Because
each data bit length is defined by default, it differs from other digital
encoding schemes. The direction of the transition determines the bit
state. Different systems represent bit status in various ways,
although most systems use 0 bit for low-to-high transitions and 1 bit
for high-to-low transitions. In this article, we will learn about the
Manchester encoding technique, other approaches to encoding, and
the advantages and disadvantages of Manchester encoding.
What is Manchester Encoding?
Manchester encoding is a method of data transmission used in
computer networks and telecommunications. It works by combining
the clock and data signals into one stream, making it easier to
synchronize the data. Each bit of data is represented by a transition;
a change from high to low or low to high in the signal. This helps
ensure that the data is correctly interpreted by the receiving device.
It is widely used in Ethernet technology and other digital
communication systems due to its reliability and simplicity.
In Manchester, the duration of a bit is divided into two halves. The
voltage remains the same at one level during the first half & moves
to the other level. The transition in the middle of the bit provides
synchronization. Differential Manchester, on the other hand,
combines the idea of RZ and NRZ-I. There is always a transition in
the middle of the bit, but the bit values are determined at the
beginning of the bit. if the next bit is zero there is a transition if next
bit is 1 there is none.
Note: Manchester encoding’s main advantage is signal
synchronization
 The
binary data to be transmitted over the cable are not sent as NRZ
[Non-return-to-zero].
Example of Manchester Encoding
In Manchester encoding, each bit of data is represented by a
transition in the signal. For example, let’s consider a simple binary
data sequence: 1101.
 Binary Data: 1101
 Manchester Encoding
o 1: At First it becomes High to Low transition
o 1: At second it also becomes High to Low
transition
o 0: It becomes Low to High transition
o 1: The final time it becomes High to Low
transition
This sequence would look like this in Manchester encoded form:
 1: |¯|_
 1: |¯|_
 0: |_|¯
 1: |¯|_
In this representation:
 |¯|_ signifies a transition from high to low.
 |_|¯ signifies a transition from low to high.
 A binary “1" is represented by a high-to-low transition.
 A binary “0" is represented by a low-to-high transition.
Thus, the binary sequence 1101 would be encoded in Manchester as
a series of transitions that ensure synchronization and reliable data
transmission
Manchester Encoding vs. Other Approaches
to Encoding Methods
Manchester encoding is a method used in digital communication,
especially in Ethernet, where each bit is represented by a transition
from high to low or low to high. This makes it easy to synchronize
data and ensures reliable transmission. Other encoding methods,
like Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) and Return to Zero (RZ), handle
data differently. NRZ uses different voltage levels without returning
to zero, which is efficient but can cause synchronization issues. RZ
returns to zero between bits, which helps with synchronization but
uses more bandwidth.
Differential Manchester encoding improves noise immunity and
error detection by marking data values with transitions at the
beginning of each bit. Another method, 4B/5B encoding, turns 4
bits of data into 5-bit codes to ensure enough transitions for
synchronization and better error detection. Each encoding method
has its pros and cons, making them suitable for different
needs. Manchester encoding is known for its reliability and
ease of use, while NRZ, RZ, Differential Manchester, and 4B/5B
offer other benefits like efficiency and improved error handling,
depending on the application.
More Approaches to Data Encoding
Non-Return-to-Zero Encoding [NRZ]
NRZ code’s voltage level is constant during a bit interval. When
there is a long sequence of 0s and 1s, there is a problem at the
receiving end. The problem is that the synchronization is lost due to
a lack of transmissions.
It is of 2 types
 NRZ-level encoding: The polarity of signals changes when
the incoming signal changes from ‘1’ to ‘0’ or from ‘0’ to ‘1’.
It considers the first bit of data as polarity change.
 NRZ-Inverted/ Differential encoding: In this, the
transitions at the beginning of the bit interval are equal to 1
and if there is no transition at the beginning of the bit
interval is equal to 0.
Characteristics of Manchester Encoding
 A logic 0 is indicated by a 0 to 1 transition at the center of
the bit and logic 1 by 1 to 0 transition.
  The signal transitions do not always occur at the ‘bit
boundary’ but there is always a transition at the center of
each bit.
 The Differential Physical Layer Transmission does not
employ an inverting line driver to convert the binary
digits into an electrical signal. And therefore the signal on
the wire is not opposite the output by the encoder.
 Each bit is sent at a predetermined rate.
 When a high to low transition happens, a ‘1’ is recorded,
when a low to high transition occurs, a ‘0’ is recorded.
 At the mid-point of a period, the transition that is utilized to
precisely note 1 or 0 happens.
The Manchester Encoding is also called Biphase code as
each bit is encoded by a positive 90 degrees phase
transition or by negative 90 degrees phase transition.
 The Digital Phase Locked Loop (DPLL) extracts the clock
signal and deallocates the value and timing of each bit. The
transmitted bitstream must contain a high density of bit
transitions.
 The Manchester Encoding consumes twice the bandwidth of
the original signal.
 The advantage of the Manchester code is that the DC
component of the signal carries no information. This makes
it possible that standards that usually do not carry power
can transmit this information.
 It is a self-clocking protocol, meaning that the receiver can
determine the clock frequency from the incoming data.
 The Manchester encoding ensures a constant transition
density, making it easier to detect the start and end of a
data frame.
 It provides a simple and reliable way to detect errors in the
data transmission by checking for a violation of the
encoding rules.
 The encoding process adds a redundant bit to the data,
enabling error correction in some applications.
 Manchester encoding can also be used for multi-level
signaling, where multiple voltage levels are used to
represent different data states.
Only drawback is the signal rate.The signal rate is manchester and
differential is double that for NRZ. The reason is that there is always
one transition at the middle of the bit and maybe one transition at
the end of each bit.
Eg: For 10Mbps LAN the signal spectrum lies between 5 and 20
 Another example to find out the bits by seeing the
transitions.

Advantages of Manchester Encoding

 Self-clocking: Manchester encoding is self-clocking, which
means that the receiver can synchronize its clock with the
transmitter’s clock. This ensures that the data is transmitted
and received at the same rate, and there is no need for a
separate clock signal.
 Reduced DC component: Manchester encoding eliminates
the DC component in the transmitted signal, which reduces
the risk of errors due to interference from external sources.
 Error detection: Manchester encoding provides a
mechanism for detecting errors in the transmitted data. Any
change in the voltage level within a time interval indicates a
bit error, which can be detected and corrected.
 Simplicity: Manchester encoding is a relatively simple
encoding scheme that can be implemented using
simple digital circuits.
Disadvantages of Manchester Encoding
 Lower data rate: Manchester encoding has a lower data
rate than other encoding schemes, such as non-return-to-
zero (NRZ) encoding, which means that it takes more time
to transmit the same amount of data.
 Higher bandwidth requirement: Manchester encoding
requires a higher bandwidth than other encoding schemes,
as each bit requires two voltage transitions within each time
interval.
 Clock synchronization: Although Manchester encoding is
self-clocking, it still requires the receiver to synchronize its
 clock with the transmitter’s clock, which can be a challenge
in some situations.
 Reduced transmission distance: Manchester encoding
has a reduced transmission distance compared to other
encoding schemes, as the signal loses strength over long
distances due to the need for frequent voltage transitions.
Conclusion
Manchester encoding is a reliable and easy-to-synchronize method
widely used in digital communication, particularly in Ethernet
technology. Its ability to combine clock and data signals into one
stream ensures accurate data transmission. However, other
encoding methods like Non-Return to Zero (NRZ), Return to Zero
(RZ), Differential Manchester, and 4B/5B encoding offer unique
benefits, such as improved efficiency, better synchronization, and
enhanced error detection. Understanding these different approaches
allows for selecting the most suitable method for specific
communication needs, ensuring robust and efficient data transfer.
Important Questions on Manchester Encoding
in Computer Network
1. GATE-CS-2007 | Question 85
2. GATE IT 2007 | Question 59
3. ISRO CS 2007 | Question 22