Digital communications and noise immunity: Consider the statement: “Electrical noise does not affect the transmission of binary information.” Evaluate the statement based on noise margins, bit errors, and practical digital links.

Introduction / Context:
Digital systems use two discrete logic levels to represent bits, often labeled 0 (LOW) and 1 (HIGH). While this representation provides tolerance against minor disturbances, electrical noise can still perturb signals, cause timing violations, and create bit errors. The statement claims noise does not affect binary transmission; this is an oversimplification and is therefore incorrect.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Binary signaling relies on defined thresholds (VIL/VIH) and noise margins.
• Real interconnects and channels introduce noise, crosstalk, attenuation, and jitter.
• Error detection (parity, checksum, CRC) and sometimes error correction are used because errors can occur.

Concept / Approach:
Noise can shift instantaneous voltage levels or timing such that a receiver samples the wrong level. Even with generous noise margins, sufficiently large or frequent disturbances lead to bit flips. Engineering mitigates this with impedance control, shielding, filtering, proper rise/fall times, and coding with redundancy, but the residual error probability is never exactly zero.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
High-speed buses and serial links specify bit error rates and include integrity features (pre-emphasis, equalization, CRC). The very existence of these features confirms that noise affects transmission outcomes and must be managed, not ignored.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “digital is immune to noise” because it works reliably most of the time; forgetting that thresholds and timing create finite tolerance but not absolute immunity.

Final Answer:
Incorrect