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6 - Transmission Channels

Transmission channels are the medium used to transmit data between nodes in a network. Transmission channels can be either wired or wireless. Wired channels include coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, and fiber-optic cables. Wireless channels transmit data without wires and include radio waves, infrared, microwaves, and Bluetooth. Fiber-optic cables allow high-speed transmission over long distances and are replacing copper-core cables.

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47 views3 pages

6 - Transmission Channels

Transmission channels are the medium used to transmit data between nodes in a network. Transmission channels can be either wired or wireless. Wired channels include coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, and fiber-optic cables. Wireless channels transmit data without wires and include radio waves, infrared, microwaves, and Bluetooth. Fiber-optic cables allow high-speed transmission over long distances and are replacing copper-core cables.

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SirupyEwe Gamer
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Transmission Channels

Transmission channels are the medium used for data transmission between nodes in a network.
Transmission channels can be either wired or wireless.

Wired Transmission Channels


There are three types of wired transmission channels that you need to be aware of:
• Coaxial cables
• Twisted pair cables
• Fibre-optic cables

Coaxial Cables
These are one of the cheapest and most commonly used wire-based networking transmission
mediums. These cables are suitable for transmitting low-powered signals over small distances.
These cables are regularly used for small networks and television signal cables.

Twisted Pair Cables


These cables are made from two insulated and independent wires twisted around one another.
The twisting of these two cables avoids the disruption of signals from adjacent pairs or other
sources.
Fibre-optic cables
These cables are made up of optical bres which use the concept of light for transmission of data.
The bene ts of bre-optic cables are that they allow for high speed transmission of data over very
long distances with less damage. For this reason, bre-optic cables are quickly replacing copper-
core cables as the preferred medium of communication through signal transmission.

Wireless Transmission Channels


Wireless communication refers to the transfer of information over a distance without the use of
wires and is the fastest-growing segment of the communication industry around the world. These
wireless transmission channels can range from short distances (such as a few millimetres) to very
long distances (thousands or millions of kilometres). It is important to note that all wireless
networks operate at di erent frequencies, whether they are light-based or sound-based.

Radio Waves
This transmission channel is usually used for long distance wireless communication, and radio
signals can pass through thick, but cannot travel through conductors such as water or metals.
Radio waves are used for communication satellites, radio communication on AM/FM bands, and
for computer networks among other things. Radio waves are sound based waves, and use the
longest wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Infrared
This is one of the oldest wireless transmission channels and is a form of electromagnetic radiation
and is found on the light spectrum, but is not visible to the human eye. This transmission channel
is used for short-distance communication, such as in the case of television sets and their remote
controls which we have discussed in class. Infrared, acting as a light signal, travels in a straight
line and does not go through solid objects.
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Microwaves
Microwaves are the most common type of wireless transmission channel mediums. Wireless
access points and wireless devices work on microwave communication, which is not only cost
e ective but used extensively in cellular network communication. Similar to radio waves,
microwaves are also sound based and use a very high frequency to transfer data.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a short-range radio wave channel. It has a variable range of up to 10m depending on
how many devices are connected to a bluetooth network. It uses minimal power, and is cost
e ective. A limitation of bluetooth networks is that a maximum of eight devices can be connected
at the same time.
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