Conceptual Model for Communication

TL;DR

This paper reviews and unifies various communication system models, from Shannon to OSI, by emphasizing the flow of information and redefining models to distinguish it from physical signal flow.

Contribution

It introduces a unified conceptual framework that connects different communication models through the notion of information flow and redefines existing models accordingly.

Findings

Unified model of communication systems based on information flow

Redefinition of Shannon, OSI, and TCP/IP models within the framework

Enhanced understanding of communication processes through layered flow analysis

Abstract

A variety of idealized models of communication systems exist, and all may have something in common. Starting with Shannons communication model and ending with the OSI model, this paper presents progressively more advanced forms of modeling of communication systems by tying communication models together based on the notion of flow. The basic communication process is divided into different spheres (sources, channels, and destinations), each with its own five interior stages, receiving, processing, creating, releasing, and transferring of information. The flow of information is ontologically distinguished from the flow of physical signals, accordingly, Shannons model, network based OSI models, and TCP IP are redesigned.