Subject:
Computer Network
Topic:
Transmission media and its types
Submitted By:
Name: M Uzair Shakeel
Section: Bs SE (6th 3M)
Roll no. : F21BSEEN1M01077
Submitted to:
Sir Umair Zafar
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur
Transmission Media:
In data communication terminology, a transmission medium is a physical path between
the transmitter and the receiver i.e. it is the channel through which data is sent from one
place to another.
Transmission Media is broadly classified into the following types:
Guided Media
Unguided Media
Guided Media:
It is also referred to as Wired or Bounded transmission media. Signals being transmitted
are directed and confined in a narrow pathway by using physical links.
Features:
High Speed
Secure
Used for comparatively shorter distances
There are 3 major types of Guided Media:
Twisted Pair Cable:
Copper wires are the most common wires used for transmitting signals because of good
performance at low costs. They are most commonly used in telephone lines. However, if two
or more wires are lying together, they can interfere with each other’s signals. To reduce this
electromagnetic interference, pair of copper wires is twisted together in helical shape like a
DNA molecule. Such twisted copper wires are called twisted pair. To reduce interference
between nearby twisted pairs, the twist rates are different for each pair.
Advantages of twisted pair cable:
Twisted pair cable is the oldest and most popular cables all over the world. This is due to
the many advantages that they offer −
Trained personnel easily available due to shallow learning curve
Can be used for both analog and digital transmissions
Least expensive for short distances
Entire network does not go down if a part of network is damaged
Disadvantages of twisted pair cable:
Signal cannot travel long distances without repeaters
High error rate for distances greater than 100m
Very thin and hence breaks easily
Not suitable for broadband connections
Coaxial Cable:
Coaxial cables are copper cables with better shielding than twisted pair cables, so that
transmitted signals may travel longer distances at higher speeds. A coaxial cable consists of
these layers, starting from the innermost −
Stiff copper wire as core
Insulating material surrounding the core
Closely woven braided mesh of conducting material surrounding the insulator
Protective plastic sheath encasing the wire
Coaxial cables are widely used for cable TV connections and LANs.
Advantages of Coaxial Cables:
Excellent noise immunity
Signals can travel longer distances at higher speeds, e.g. 1 to 2 Gbps for 1 Km cable
Can be used for both analog and digital signals
Inexpensive as compared to fiber optic cables
Easy to install and maintain
Disadvantages of Coaxial Cables:
Expensive as compared to twisted pair cables
Not compatible with twisted pair cables
Optical Fiber:
Thin glass or plastic threads used to transmit data using light waves are called optical
fiber. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or Laser Diodes (LDs) emit light waves at the source,
which is read by a detector at the other end. Optical fiber cable has a bundle of such
threads or fibers bundled together in a protective covering. Each fiber is made up of these
three layers, starting with the innermost layer –
Core made of high quality silica glass or plastic
Cladding made of high quality silica glass or plastic, with a lower refractive index
than the core
Protective outer covering called buffer
Optical fiber is rapidly replacing copper wires in telephone lines, internet communication
and even cable TV connections because transmitted data can travel very long distances
without weakening. Single node fiber optic cable can have maximum segment length of 2
kms and bandwidth of up to 100 Mbps. Multi-node fiber optic cables can have maximum
segment length of 100 kms and bandwidth up to 2 Gbps.
Advantages of Optical Fiber:
Optical fiber is fast replacing copper wires because of these advantages that it offers −
High bandwidth
Immune to electromagnetic interference
Suitable for industrial and noisy areas
Signals carrying data can travel long distances without weakening
Disadvantages of Optical Fiber:
Optical fiber cables are expensive
Sophisticated technology required for manufacturing, installing and maintaining
optical fiber cables
Light waves are unidirectional, so two frequencies are required for full duplex
transmission
Unguided Media:
An unguided transmission transmits the electromagnetic waves without using any physical
medium. Therefore it is also known as wireless transmission. In unguided media, air is the
media through which the electromagnetic energy can flow easily.
Radio Wave:
Transmission of data using radio frequencies is called radio-wave transmission. We all are
familiar with radio channels that broadcast entertainment programs. Radio stations
transmit radio waves using transmitters, which are received by the receiver installed in our
devices. Both transmitters and receivers use antennas to radiate or capture radio signals.
These radio frequencies can also be used for direct voice communication within
the allocated range. This range is usually 10 miles.
Advantages of Radio Wave:
Inexpensive mode of information exchange
No land needs to be acquired for laying cables
Installation and maintenance of devices is cheap
Disadvantages of Radio Wave:
Insecure communication medium
Prone to weather changes like rain, thunderstorms, etc.
