Data Transmission Media

Guided Media
Twisted Pair
A twisted pair cable is made of two plastic insulated
copper wires twisted together to form a single media.
Out of these two wires only one carries actual signal
and another is used for ground reference. The twists
between wires are helpful in reducing noise (electromagnetic interference) and crosstalk.
Twisting reduces electromagnetic interference
For short and medium length connections. Lower
costs compared to optical fiber and coaxial cable
Two kinds: STP and UTP
Sheilded Twisted Pair (STP): STP cables comes with
twisted wire pair covered in metal foil. This makes it
more indifferent to noise and crosstalk. Metal foil protection from external disturbances, increases
resistance to signal, decreases cable length. Costly
Unsheilded Twisted Pair (UTP): Used over short
distances up to 100m. Only two pairs of wires used
for communication. E.g. Cat-5 cable used with fast
Ethernet

Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cables has two wires of copper. The core wire
lies in center and is made of solid conductor. Core is
enclosed in an insulating sheath. Over the sheath the
second wire is wrapped around and that too in turn
encased by insulator sheath. This all is covered by
plastic cover.
Because of its structure coax cables are capable of
carrying high frequency signals than that of twisted
pair cables. The wrapped structure provides it a good

shield against noise and cross talk. Coaxial cables

provide high bandwidth rates of up to 450 mbps.
There are three categories of Coax cables namely, RG59 (Cable TV), RG-58 (Thin Ethernet) and RG-11 (Thick
Ethernet. RG stands for Radio Government.
Cables are connected using BNC connector and BNC-T.
BNC terminator is used to terminate the wire at the
far ends.

//REFER DIAGRAM ONLY

Optical Fibre
Used for transmission over large distances

 More cost effective than copper wire connection

Transmits data as light signals instead of electric
signals
Cable consists of
Core: Optical fiber conductor (glass) that
transmits light
Cladding: Optical material that surrounds core to
prevent light from escaping it
Jacket: Outer covering of plastic to protect fiber
from damage
Can contain thousand fibers in single cable
Accommodates large bandwidth demands
Two types
Single-mode fiber : Small core, transmit infrared
laser light
Multi-mode fiber : Large core, transmit infrared
light
Advantages
Do not cause electrical interference in other
cables
Much less loss of signal and interference
Carry light pulse farther than copper wire
carrying signal
Carry more information than wire
Single fiber required for two way communication

 Signals degrade less; low-power transmitters

used
No amplification of signal needed over long
distances
Secure: cannot be tapped, lack of signal radiation
Disadvantages
Installing requires special equipment, finding
broken location difficult, repairing broken fiber
difficult

//refer diagram only

Unguided Media
Wireless transmission is a form of unguided media. Wireless communication
involves no physical link established between two or more devices,
communicating wirelessly. Wireless signals are spread over in the air and are
received and interpret by appropriate antennas.
When an antenna is attached to electrical circuit of a computer or wireless
device, it converts the digital data into wireless signals and spread all over
within its frequency range. The receptor on the other end receives these
signals and converts them back to digital data.
A little part of electromagnetic spectrum can be used for wireless
transmission.

Electroma
gnetic Spectrum
Radio Transmssion
RF transmission: Electromagnetic radio waves that operate at radio
frequency are used to transmit computer data
Computers do not require direct physical connection like wires or cable
Each computer attaches to antenna that can both send and receive
radio transmission
Radio frequency is easier to generate and because of its large
wavelength it can penetrate through walls and alike structures.

 Radio waves at lower frequencies can travel through walls whereas

higher RF travel in straight line and bounces back. The power of low
frequency waves decreases sharply as it covers longer distance. High
frequency radio waves have more power.
Lower frequencies like (VLF, LF, MF bands) can travel on the ground up
to 1000 kilometers, over the earths surface.

Radio wave - grounded

Radio waves on high frequencies are prone to be absorbed by rain and
other obstacles. They use Ionosphere of earth atmosphere. High
frequency radio waves such as HF and VHF bands are spread upwards.
When it reaches Ionosphere it is refracted back to the earth.

Radio wave - Ionosphere

Microwaves

Electromagnetic waves above 100 MHz tend to travel in a straight line

and signals over them can be sent by beaming those waves towards
one particular station. Because Microwaves travels in straight lines,
both sender and receiver must be aligned to be strictly in line-of-sight.
Aimed at single direction, instead of broadcasting
Carry more information than radio waves. Cannot penetrate metals
Used when clear path between transmitter and receiver
Line-of-sight media. Radio towers spaced approximately every 42 km
along route
Advantage: Does not require access to contiguous land along path of
system
Disadvantage: Needs expensive towers and repeaters, interference
from passing airplanes and rain

Infrared Transmission
Infrared waves lie in between visible light spectrum and microwaves. It has
wavelength of 700 nm to 1 mm and frequency ranges from 300 GHz to 430
THz.
Infrared waves are used for very short range communication purposes such
as television and its remote. Infrared travels in a straight line so they are
directional by nature. Because of high frequency range, Infrared do not cross
wall like obstacles.
Satellite Transmission
The communication across longer distances can be provided by combining
radio frequency transmission with satellites. Geosynchronous satellites are
placed in an orbit synchronized with the rotation of the earth at a distance of
36,000 km above the surface of the earth. Geosynchronous satellites appear
to be stationary when viewed from the earth. The satellite consists of
transponder that can receive RF signals and transmit them back to the

ground at a different angle. A ground station on one side of the ocean

transmits signal to the satellite which in turn sends the signal to the ground
station on the other side of the ocean