11/10/2010

g
Manuel Benites, Eng.

Communication and Data Transmission Networks

5 Data transmission Interfaces

6 Data transmission media:
a. Guided media: cables, coaxial cable, waveguide, and
fiber optics
b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite.
c. Transmission deterioration
d. Comparison of media

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5 Data transmission interfaces

Definition of Interface:

An interface is the frontier defined by common physical

interconnection characteristics with properly defined
exchange signals.

5 Data transmission interfaces

y Most of the recommendations include

specifications for signaling between the data
terminal equipment (DTE) and the data circuit
terminal equipment (DCE).

y In a limited way, they include procedures for

signaling between two DTEs.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

.
y According to ITU‐T, EIA, and TIA recommendations, the
i
interfaces
f are as follows:
f ll

y ITU‐T recommendations list the following interfaces:

¾ V.10, V.11, V.24, V.28, V.35, V.36, and X.21
y The EIA and TIA standards include the following interfaces:
¾ EIA/TIA 232E, EIA/TIA‐232E Alt A, RS 422 A, RS 423 A, RS 366, RS 449,
RS 4
488,, ANSI/EIA‐530,
/ 53 , EIA/TIA‐574,
/ 574, and RJ‐12
J

ITU‐T: International Telecommunications Union ‐ Telecommunications

EIA: Electronic Industries Association
TIA: Telecommunications Industries Association

5 Data transmission interfaces

ITU‐T

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5 Data transmission interfaces

V.10 INTERFACE
y This
Thi recommendation,
d ti entitled
titl d “El t i
“Electric
characteristics of double current asymmetric link
circuits for general use with integrated circuits
equipment for data transmission”, specifies non‐
balanced connections.
y The expression
p non‐balanced in this context means
that every interface circuit has a live conductor and
shares a common grounding with the other circuits.
Voltage is measure with respect to grounding.

5 Data transmission interfaces

V.11 INTERFACE
y This
Thi recommendation
d ti i the
in th blue
bl b k is
book i entitled:
titl d
“Electric characteristics of double current
symmetric link circuits for general use with
integrated circuits equipment for data
transmission”.
ƒ The expression
p balanced in this context means that
each interface circuit has two conductors :
ƒ one for the signal, and
ƒ the other for return.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

V.11 INTERFACE

ƒ Symmetric link circuit means a symmetric generator

connected to a symmetric receiver via a symmetric
interconnection pair.

ƒ In a symmetric generator, the algebraic sum of the

potentials of its two terminals in relation to the
grounding must be constant for all transmitted signals.

5 Data transmission interfaces

V.24 INTERFACE
y This
Thi standard
t d d entitled
titl d “List
“Li t off definitions
d fi iti off the
th
circuits for the exchange between data terminal
equipment and data circuit terminal equipment”
is one of the most widely used and its importance rests
on the fact that it defines the functions of the
exchange circuits that exist between the DTE
(terminal) and the DCE (modem or multiplexor or
concentrator or node).

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5 Data transmission interfaces

V.24 INTERFACE
y Without
With t these
th d fi iti
definitions, it would
ld nott be
b possible
ibl to
t
connect equipment from different brands.

y It regulates the exchange circuits for the transfer of

data, control, timing, and grounding signals. This
standard does not specify the electric characteristics or
the physical dimensions of the circuits and their
corresponding connectors, which are established by
standards such as V.10. V.11 , and V.28

5 Data transmission interfaces

V.24 INTERFACE
y Standard
St d d 2110 is i usedd for
f the
th physical
h i l dimensions.
di i
y V.24 is in a sense a super‐set of standards.
y This standard applies to:
y Synchronous and asynchronous communications
y Dedicated and switched lines
y 2‐ and
d 4‐ wire
i circuits
i it
y End‐to‐end and multipoint circuits
y Certain public data networks

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5 Data transmission interfaces

V.24 INTERFACE

y This interface has two groups of circuits: the 100 series

and the 200 series.

y The circuits of the 100 series conform to standard

V 24
V.24.

y The circuits of the 200 series are used in accordance

with the application.

5 Data transmission interfaces

V.24 Half Duplex Operation

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5 Data transmission interfaces

V.24 Full Duplex Operation

5 Data transmission interfaces

V.28 INTERFACE

This recommendation, entitled “Electric

characteristics of asymmetric link circuits for
double current transmission”, specifies the electric
characteristics of the interface (transmission and
reception) between the modem and the terminal.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

V.35 INTERFACE

y This interface is a combination of the V.35 standard

and EIA standard 232, and is not a true CCITT
connector.

y All data
d t and
d timing
ti i t
terminals
i l conform
f t the
to th V.35
V
specification (balanced circuits and low voltage) and
control signals have EIA 232 voltages (non‐balanced).

5 Data transmission interfaces

V.35 INTERFACE

ƒ All data and timing pins are added to the V.35

specification, which are balanced and low‐voltage
circuits.

ƒ Yet,, all control p

pins are non‐balanced EIA‐232
3 voltages.
g

ƒ The test, local loop, and remote loop functions are

assigned according to each manufacturer.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

V.36 INTERFACE

ƒ The recommended transmission speed for this

interface is from 48 to 72 Kbps.

ƒ Recommendation V.10 defines the electric

characteristics of its non
non‐balanced
balanced control and
command lines.

5 Data transmission interfaces

V.36 INTERFACE

ƒ Balanced data and timing lines are regulated by

recommendation V.11.

ƒ Standard V.24 defines the functions of the other

interface lines and has a 37
37‐pin
pin connector (ISO
standard 4902).

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5 Data transmission interfaces

X.21 INTERFACE

ƒ The X.21 interface approach is to use more logic in the

DTE‐DCE interface in order to provide less circuits.

ƒ Presently, X.21 is not used at logical level, but it is at

physical level, although very scarcely.

5 Data transmission interfaces

X.21 INTERFACE

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5 Data transmission interfaces

y The Electronic/Telecommunications Industries
Association (EIA/TIA) and the Institute of Electrical
and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) provide most of the
engineering standards for communication equipment.
y
y The American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
validates firm documents.

5 Data transmission interfaces

List of EIA/TIA Interfaces

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5 Data transmission interfaces

EIA‐232E (25‐pin) INTERFACE
y In July 1991, the basic EIA
EIA‐232
232 standard was reviewed
to achieve several things. One of them was to
eliminate the EIA‐232D standard (a 9‐pin interface)
since there was widespread misunderstanding that it
was replacing the old EIA RS‐232.

y It originated from the telecommunications industry

using a small interface with the same electric
characteristics as those of EIA 232.

5 Data transmission interfaces

EIA/TIA 232E (25‐pin) INTERFACE (cont.)

y The standard that replaces the 9‐pin interface is

ANSI/EIA/TIA‐574‐1990 or EIA‐574.
y Another greater revision of EIA‐232E was the
introduction of a smaller interface called EIA‐232E Alt
A a 26‐pin
A, 26 pin interface.
interface
y This interface could become the interface of the future
because it is similar to the 9‐pin interface, but with
much more capacity.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

EIA/TIA 232E (25‐pin) INTERFACE (cont.)

y EIA‐232‐type interfaces are limited to 20 Kbps; for faster

speeds, the recommendation is:
y EIA‐530 standard (which replaces the EIA‐449 standard)
y EIA‐561 standard (RJ45‐type or 8‐position miniature)
y EIA‐574 standard (9‐pin replacement for EIA‐232B.

y The EIA‐232 standard has a male interface for the data

terminal equipment (DTE) and a female connector for the
data communication equipment (DCE). It is necessary to
fully verify the pins in the manufacturer’s manuals.

5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐422A INTERFACE
y This
Thi isi an interface
i t f called
ll d “Balanced
“B l d differential
diff ti l
electric circuit interface”, which uses balanced
differential‐voltage circuits, capable of high data
speeds over distances greater than those of the RS‐232‐
C standard and is fully compatible with V.11 and X.27
recommendations.

y Can transmit up to 100 Kbps at 1200 meters and up to

10 Mbps at 12 m (40 feet)

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5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐423A INTERFACE

ƒ Known as “Electric characteristics of non‐balanced

voltage interface digital circuits”, it is similar to the
EIA RS‐232 C standard.
ƒ This interface is made up by bipolar voltage circuits
without termination of one single terminal.
terminal
ƒ It has a range of 1200 meters at a speed of 3 Kbps or up
to 12 meters at a speed of up to 300 Kbps.

5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐366 INTERFACE Automatic calling unit

ƒ This standard defines the mechanical, electrical, and

functional characteristics of the automatic calling unit
placed between the modem and the terminal. Its
electric characteristics are compatible with the RS 232
C standard.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐499 INTERFACE

ƒ This interface, known as “37‐pin and 9‐pin general

purpose interface for serial data exchange
equipment”, has all of the RS 232C capabilities.

ƒ Introduces 10 new exchange circuits to improve

interface characteristics.

5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐499 INTERFACE

ƒ This interface establishes the standard for a 37‐pin

connector and a 9‐pin connector.

ƒ Allows speeds of up to 2 Mbps and increased length of

the interconnection cable up to 200 m.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐499 INTERFACE
y The 10 additional circuits defined in the RS 449 interface include:
y
y Three circuits for control and status of DCE test functions (circuit LL,
local LL, and remote loop, and TM circuit test mode),
y Two circuits for control and status of DCE transfer to a
telecommunications facility (SS circuit, selective standby, and SB
circuit, standby indicator)
y A circuit for the selection of the DCE transmission frequency (SF
circuit select frequency)
circuit, frequency).
y A circuit that provides an out‐of‐service function under the terminal
control (DTE) (IS circuit, Terminal In Service)
y A circuit to provide a new signal function (NS circuit, New Signal)
y Two common wires

5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐485 INTERFACE

ƒ Interface specialized in data acquisition processes.

ƒ The RS‐485 interface supports 32 drivers and 32
receivers.
ƒ It uses half duplex, multi‐drop communications over 1
or 2 twisted pairs.
pairs
ƒ A network using this interface can connect with 2 or 4
wires, with a maximum length of 4000 feet because it
uses differential voltage transmission.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

RS‐488 INTERFACE FOR PROGRAMMABLE INSTRUMENTS

ƒ This interface is designed for instrumentation systems

that require limited‐distance communications (about
20 meters).
ƒ This standard defines as many variables as possible,
without defining the use of the interface, or giving a
reference of the hardware used for its implementation.

5 Data transmission interfaces

ANSI/EIA‐530 INTERFACE
y The EIA
EIA‐530
530 is the answer to claims about the large size of
the EIA RS‐449 37‐pin interface, while retaining the
frequency spectrum of up to 2 Mbps.

y Presently, the EIA 530 interface uses the same mechanical

connector as the EIA‐232 standard, but uses the balanced
voltages of the EIA‐422
EIA 422 A standard or the non
non‐balanced
balanced
voltages of the EIA‐423 A standard.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

ANSI/EIA‐530 INTERFACE

y While it is physically possible to connect a EIA‐530 to a

EIA‐232, they are not compatible. Voltages are different and
do not have the same pin designations.

y When balanced voltages are used, pins labeled A and B are

used for each corresponding circuit.
circuit If non‐balanced
non balanced
voltages are used, the interface will only use pins labeled
with letter A and the common signal return pin.

5 Data transmission interfaces

ANSI/EIA‐574 INTERFACE

ƒ The EIA/TIA‐574 interface replaces the EIA‐232D

interface, but in essence, it creates a new 9‐pin
connector.
ƒ This connector is not electronically compatible with
the EIA‐232D standard, which uses 5 to 15 volt signals
and accepts
p speeds
p below 20 Kbps.
p
ƒ This new 9‐pin interface is capable of faster data
speeds and is driven by a +/‐ volt power unit. What is
interesting is that it uses the same female plug
connections.

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5 Data transmission interfaces

RJ‐11 – RJ‐12 VOICE INTERFACE
ƒ Connectors for telephone units are mini
mini‐modular
modular 4
4‐pin
pin
(RJ‐11) and 6‐pin (RJ‐12) jacks, and connector cables have
male connectors on either end.
ƒ Since most telephone operations only use two‐wire devices,
some connectors will have only 4 contacts, in this case
contacts 1 and 6 are not placed.
ƒ Having four connectors is excessive for the two‐wire
operation, but is suitable for four‐wire devices.

6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial cable, waveguide, and

f b optics
fiber
b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite.
c. Transmission impairment
d. Comparison of media

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media:
ƒ Twisted pair cable
ƒ Coaxial cable
ƒ Waveguide

ƒ Fiber Optics

6 Data transmission media

Twisted pair cable

ƒConsists of two isolated copper wires in a regular spiral pattern.

Typically, a set of these pairs is grouped to make a multi‐pair cable,
wrapped in a thick protection cladding.
ƒThreads or wires are between 0,016 and 0,036 inches (0,040 mm to
0,129 mm) thick, which correspond to gauges 26 to 16
ƒCommon gauges are 19, 22, 24, and 26. Cables are twisted together
i
into a regular
l spiral
i l pattern off 2 to 6 inch
i h full
f ll twist,
i to minimize
i i i
interference by placing adjacent pair in multi‐pair cables.

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Figure 4‐4
Twisted‐Pair Cable

Figure 4‐5
Shielded Twisted‐Pair Cable

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided transmission media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber
optics
Twisted‐pair
p cable

ƒ Analog transmission signals

ƒ Voice signals can be transmitted to a distance of 6
kilometer, without repeaters.
ƒ The reason is that the loss at voice level is 1 dB/km.
ƒ To transmit point‐to‐point analog signals, a bandwidth
of up to 1.1 MHz can be used.

6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

Twisted‐pair
Twisted pair cable

ƒ Digital signal transmission

ƒ For point‐to‐point digital lines, it is possible to transmit
up to 4 Mbps of data, and even more, depending on the
length of the pair.
ƒ Susceptible to noise and interference because it can
easily couple to electromagnetic loads.
ƒ Easily affected by impact noise. For example, a pair laid
in parallel to a 60‐Hz power line will be easily induced.

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

Twisted pair cable applications

y It is the most widely used medium for sending both

analog and digital signals.
y Used in the telephone system (backbone) and in the
telephone subscriber loop.
y The human voice frequency range is between 20 Hz and
20 KHz; only a 300 to 3400 Hz standard bandwidth is
required to transmit intelligible voice.

6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

Twisted pair cable applications

y Digital data can be sent to moderate distances. For local

links, typically a 28,8‐Kbps modem is needed.

y It is possible to transmit signals on base or digital band.

For example, it is possible to transmit a T1 circuit (USA)
with 24 PCM voice channels which make up an
aggregate of 1.544 Mbps or an E1 (ITU‐T) circuit with 30
PCM voice channels making up a 2.048‐Mbps link.

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable
y Coaxial cable consists of two conductors, but built
differently from the twisted pair and has a broader
frequency range.
y It is a hollow cylindrical outer conductor that surrounds
an inner one‐wire conductor.
y The internal conductor can be solid or have ha e multiple
wires, and is kept in its position by regularly‐spaced
insulating rings or by solid dielectric material.

Coaxial Cable

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable transmission characteristics

y Analog and digital signals can be transmitted. Long
distance systems can be analog or digital.
y The 50‐ohm cable is used only for digital transmission
(in base band), for which Manchester band base coding
is used. It reaches speeds over 10 Mbps.
y For these signals, repeaters are needed approximately
every kilometer; a smaller spacing permits higher
speeds. Experimental systems permit speeds of up to
800 Mbps with a 1,6‐Km spacing.

6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable transmission characteristics

y The 75‐ohm cable is used for both analog and digital
transmission. For analog transmission, the frequency
range is 300 to 400 MHz. For CATV, television channels
are placed on a 6‐MHz bandwidth.
y The 75‐ohm cable is used for cable television or CATV
(Community Antenna TeleVision).
TeleVision) In this case,
case analog
signals are transmitted using frequency‐division
multiplexing, called broadband transmission.

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable transmission characteristics

y Digital high‐speed transmission can also be achieved by

modulating analog signals; in this case, it is known as
single‐channel broadband.

6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable transmission characteristics

y The coaxial cable provides a response at a frequency

higher than the twisted pair; this is why it is used to carry
higher frequencies and faster data speeds.

y It is less susceptible to interference and diaphone than

the twisted pair.

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable transmission characteristics

y Major performance limitations: abatement, thermal

noise, and inter‐modulation noise.

y The latter is p
present onlyy when several FDM channels or
frequency bands are transmitted.

6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable
y To achieve a suitable signal quality, a given S/N relation
must be maintained. There are two commitment
variables:
y a) the strength of the signal, and
y b) the spacing between amplifiers.
y S/N relation
l i can be
b increased
i d by
b placing
l i amplifiers
lifi
closer to each other to amplify the signal with higher
frequency.

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Coaxial cable applications

y It is the most versatile media and is used as LAN network

backbone for long distance telephony and for television
distribution.
y Uses the frequency‐division multiplexing technique
(FDM) and can carry more than 10.000 voice channels
simultaneously.

Data transmission media

Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics
Waveguide

y At high frequencies, transmission lines and coaxial

cables show high attenuation.

y Waveguides
g reduce the attenuation of high
g
frequency signals.

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Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

Waveguide

y Waveguides are generally pipe‐shaped structures made of

rectangular‐, circular‐ or elliptic‐sectioned material, in
which the electromagnetic energy is conducted along the
guide and is bound to its limits.

y The conducting walls of the pipe confine the wave inside by

reflection due to the Snell Law on the surface, where the
pipe can be empty or full with a dielectric. The dielectric
gives the pipe mechanical support (walls can be thin), bur
reduces propagation speed.

Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y There are many

y types
yp of waveguides.
g The most important
p
ones are the following:

y Rectangular (circular, elliptic) waveguide: The one whose cross‐

section is rectangular (circular, elliptic).
y Beam waveguide: It consists of a succession of lenses or mirrors
p
capable of g
guiding
g an electromagnetic
g wave.
y Ridge waveguide: Made up by two coaxial metal cylinders joined
along their entire length by a metal radial ridge.

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Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y There are many

y types
yp of waveguides.
g The most important
p
ones are the following:

y Grooved waveguide, V‐guided; H‐guided: Rectangular

waveguide that includes inner conducting ribs along each of
the bigger walls.
y Periodically‐loaded
y waveguide:
g Waveguide
g in which the
propagation is determined by regularly‐spaced variations of the
properties of the medium, the dimensions of the medium, or
the contour surfaces.
y Dielectric waveguide: Consisting wholly of one or several
dielectric materials, with no conducting wall.

Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

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Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

Fiber optics
y Fiber optics is a transmission medium made of glass
or plastic, thin and flexible (2 to 125 μm) capable of
carrying an optical beam.
y A fiber optic cable is cylindric and consists of three
concentric sections:
y core,
y cladding, and
y jacket.

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

Fiber optics

y The core, which is the innermost part, consists of one

or more very thin threads (or fibers) made of glass or
plastic.
y Each fiber is covered by cladding, made of glass or
plastic too, but with optical properties that differ
from those of the core.
y The outer layer, called jacket, is made of plastic and
other materials to protect it from humidity, abrasion,
rupture and the environment.

Fiber Optics Construction

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6 Data transmission media

a. Guided media: cables, coaxial, waveguide, and fiber optics

y Fiber optics
p
y In multimode propagation, the light from the source
comes in through the glass core. The low‐angle beams are
reflected and propagated through the fiber, while other
beams are absorbed by the cladding that surrounds the
core.
y If we reduce the radius of the core, few light beams are
reflected; and if we reduce the radius to the order of the
wavelength, only one angle of mode will pass. This
propagation mode is known as mono‐mode.

Propagation Modes

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Refraction and Reflection

6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite.
y Non‐Guided Media

y These media include ground microwaves, satellite microwaves, and

radio. For these media, unlike the guided media, the bandwidth of
the signal produced by the transmitting antenna is more important
than the medium for determining the transmission characteristics.
y Hence, the higher the central frequency of the signal, the greater
the p potential bandwidth,, and thus the faster the digital g
transmission.

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Radio communication Bands

Electromagnetic Spectrum
Frequency λ Application

10 KHz 30 Km.
Km Low frequencies for underwater
communications
100 KHz 3 Km. Long‐wave broadcast

1 MHz 300 m AM broadcast

10 MHz 30 m Short radio waves (ionosphere)

100 MHz 3m FM transmission

150 MHz 2m Mobile radio

300 MHz 1m Microwave links for point‐to‐

point UHF and UHF TV boadcast

3‐60 GHz 10 cm ‐ 0.5 cm Microwave links

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Microwave electromagnetic spectrum

Band Range in GHz

L 11‐22
S 2‐4
C 4‐8
X 8‐12
Ku 12‐18
K 18‐26
Ka 26‐40
U 40‐60
V 50‐75
E 60‐90

Frequency bands for microwave links

Band Range Comments

2 GH
GHz 1 7 - 2.7
1.7 2 7 GH
GHz N
Now d
designated
i t d as mobile
bil bbands
d ffor PCS
and DECT

4 GHz 3.8 - 4.2 GHz Typical operator’s bands, high capacity

6 GHz 5.9 - 7.1 GHz Typical operator’s bands, high capacity

7/8 GHz 7.1-8.5 GHz Average lengths for high capacities

11 GHz 10.7-11.7 GHz Operator’s traditional public bands, high

capacity

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite.
y Non‐guided media
y Another property of the signals transmitted by antennae is
directionality. In general, at lower frequencies, signals are
omnidirectional, and at higher frequencies, the signal can be
focused on a directional beam
y There are 2 frequency ranges of these media that are relevant for
this topic:
y Microwave frequencies
q in a range
g from 2 to 440 GHz. At these
frequencies, highly directional beams are possible and easily
adjustable for point‐to‐point transmissions.
y 30‐MHz to 1‐GHz range frequencies are used for omnidirectional
transmission and are appropriate for broadcasting

6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite.
Broadcast
y The main difference between radio and microwaves is
that radio is generally omnidirectional and microwaves
are very focused. No disk‐type antenna required.

y The 30‐MHz to 1‐GHz range is very useful for broadcast

communications. Radial waves are less sensitive to rain
communications
attenuation than microwave signals.

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite.
Broadcast
y However, for data transmission, its low speed is a
disadvantage (in Kbps instead of Mbps).
y One of the main reasons for radio wave degradation is
interference by multiple paths. These are created by the
reflection of land, water or natural or man‐made
objects.
j This effect is manifest when the television set
shows many images when an aeroplane passes by.

6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Broadcast

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Non‐guided media
y A digital microwave radio is defined as a radio
equipment in which one or more properties (amplitude,
frequency and phase) of the radiofrequency signal is
quantified by a modulating signal.
y The term digital implies a discrete set of levels of
amplitude,
p , ffrequency
q y or p phase as a result of a
modulating sign. Let us assume that the modulating
signal is a serial stream of synchronous bits.

Frequency bands for microwave links

Band Range Comments

12.7 - 13.3 Typically low to medium
13 GHz
GHz capacities

14.4 - 15.4
15 GHz All capacities
GHz

18 GHz Operator’s traditional public

17.7-19.7
band for medium capacities
GHz
21 2 - 23.6
21.2 23 6
23 GHz All capacities
GHz

24.5 - 26.5
26 GHz All capacities
GHz

38 GHz 37 - 39.5 GHz All capacities

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Medios No Guiados

6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Non‐guided media
y There are three generic modulation techniques:
y Amplitude Modulation ‐ AM,
y Frequency Modulation – FM, and
y Phase Modulation – PM.

y In industry terminology, the letters “SK” are usually added to the

first letter of the modulation type, such as ASK meaning Amplitude
Shift Keying; FSK,
FSK Frequency Shift Keying,
Keying and PSK,
PSK Phase Shift
Keying

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite

6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Non‐guided media

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Satellite
y A communications satellite is in essence a microwave repeater station.
Essentially, a satellite is a radio repeater in the sky (transponder).
y The satellite is used to link two or more microwave transmitters/receivers,
known as earth stations.
y The satellite receives transmissions over a frequency band (uplink),
amplifies (analog transmissions) or repeats (digital transmissions) the
signal, and then retransmits it on another frequency (downlink).
y Only one system will operate on a given number of frequency bands called
transponder channels or simply transponders.

Figure 4‐20

Terrestrial Microwave

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite.
y Satellite

y Easy and low‐cost access are advantages of the satellite

telecommunication services.
y Adaptability to the specific needs of each user (allowing for
asymmetric links and different bandwidths depending on each
station).
y In its most widely used topology (star), the network can be very
dense (up to 1.000 stations), and is controlled by a central station
called
ll d HUB,
HUB which
hi h organizesi the
h traffic
ffi between
b terminals
i l and d
optimizes access to satellite capacity
y Can run over C, Ku, or Ka bands, and the higher the carrier
frequency the more sensitive they are to meteorological conditions.

Satellite in Geostationary Orbit

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Satellite Communication

6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Satellite

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non‐guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite
y Satellite
y Communication satellites are used for telephony, data, internet, video, and
television transmission over long distances and is the optimum medium for
extensively‐used international trunk circuits.
y Competes with terrestrial microwaves and coaxial cable for many long‐
distance links between countries.
y They provide fixed telephone and data carrier circuits, point‐to‐point cable
television (CATV); television distribution, music broadcast, mobile phone
service, and private networks for companies, government agencies, and
military applications.
y Satellite segment providers are: INTELSAT, TELESAT, HISPASAT, SATMEX,
etc.

6 Data transmission media

c. Transmission impairment
The different communication media have the capacity
p y to send
telecommunication signals, from twisted pair cable to fiber optic
links, microwave links, and satellite communication links.

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6 Data transmission media

b. Non-guided media: broadcast, microwaves, satellite

Data transmission media

c. Transmission impairment

Attenuation

3.94

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Data transmission media

c. Transmission impairment

Let us assume that a signal crosses a transmission medium and its strength
drop to half. This means that P2 is (1/2)P1. In this case, attenuation (loss of
strength) can be calculated as follows:

A loss of 3 dB (–3 dB) is equal to a loss of half the strength.

3.95

Data transmission media

c. Transmission impairment

The power of a signal increases 10 times when passing through an amplifier. This
means that P2 = 10P1. In this case, the amplifying
p y g factor (power
p gain) can be
g
calculated as :

3.96

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Data transmission media

c. Transmission impairment

3.97

Data transmission media

c. Transmission impairment
Distorsion

3.98

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Data transmission media

c. Transmission impairment

Noise

3.99

6 Data transmission media

d. Comparison of media

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6 Data transmission media

d. Comparison of media

6 Data transmission media

d. Comparison of media

Advantages of Optical Communications

y Enormous potential bandwidth

y Light and small components
y Electrically insulated system
y Immune to interference
y Very secure
y Low transmission loss
y Robust and flexible systems
y Easy maintenance of the system
y Low maintenance cost

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6 Data transmission media

d. Comparison of media

Fiber optics
The following characteristics are advantages over
the twisted pair and the coaxial cable :
y a) Greater bandwidth: 2 Gbps over tens of kilometers.
This value is much greater than the hundreds of
Mbps/Km for the coaxial cable and the few Mbps/Km
for the twisted pair.
y b) Smaller and lighter : It is much thinner than coaxial
cable or twisted pair multi‐pair cables. It is installed in
the troughs inside buildings, and underground, with the
additional advantage of its small size. Since it is lighter,
support requirements are reduced.

6 Data transmission media

d. Comparison of media
y Fiber optics
y c)) L
Less attenuation
i (
(0,2 dB/k ) attenuation
dB/km.): i i
is
significantly lower than for coaxial cable or twisted pair, and
remains constant over a long range.
y d) Electromagnetic insulation: External electromagnetic
fields do not affect fiber optics; it is not vulnerable to
interference, impact noise, or flutter. Also, since it does not
radiate energy, it does not interfere with other equipment
and provides a high level of security against intrusion
(monitoring) since it is inherently hard to be intercepted.
y e) Greater spacing between
bet een repeaters (60 ‐ 10000 kilometers):
kilometers)
The cost of the system is less because it has fewer repeaters.
y f ) Low error probability: Its minimum VER is 3x10‐10

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6 Data transmission media

d. Comparison of media

6 Data transmission media

d. Comparison of media

53