3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

Unit-2
THE PHYSICAL LAYER: 7 Hrs

Syllabus: Transmission Media – Twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical fiber,

radio transmission, microwaves and infrared transmission, Switching – message
switching, Multiplexing.

Transmission Media / Transmission Medium:

The transmission medium is the actual physical path between sender and receiver
through which the data or information is transmitted.

Types or classification of transmission media:

Basically there are 2 types of transmission media,

1) Guided Media
Ex: Twisted pair cable, Co-axial cable, Optical Fiber Cable (OFC).
2) Unguided Media
Ex: Radio waves, Micro waves, Infrared waves.
Guided Media:

The guided media is a type of transmission media in which the data or information is
transmitted through physical conductor (cable).

1) Twisted pair cable:

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 The twisted pair cables were introduced by ‘Alexander Graham Bell’ in 1881.
 In a twisted pair cable, there are 4 pairs of wires.
 Each wire is twisted in the form of spiral.
 Each twisted pair consists of two thin insulated copper wires.
 Each twisted pair acts as one communication link or one transmission media.
 In a twisted pair, one wire carries signal and the other wire is connected to ground.
 Each twisted pair cable carries data up to 1km at a speed of 1Mbps.
Types or categories of twisted pair cables:

Basically, there are 2 types of twisted pair cables,

1) Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable

In STP, the twisted pair wires can be covered by a metallic mesh or metallic
braid.
2) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable

In UTP, the twisted pair wires are not covered by a metallic mesh or metallic
braid.

Applications or uses of twisted pair cables:

 Used in telephone network.

 Used for Local Area Network (LAN) connection.

2) Coaxial cable:

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 The coaxial cable consists of a centrally located solid copper conductor.

 The central conductor is surrounded by a hard plastic insulator.
 It is surrounded by a metallic mesh conductor.
 Finally, the metallic mesh conductor is covered by a thin plastic insulator.
 In coaxial cable, the data flow in the central conductor. The metallic mesh conductor
is connected to ground.
Types or categories of coaxial cable:

Basically, there are 2 types of coaxial cable,

1) Thinnet:

The thin coaxial cable is called as thinnet.

Ex: 10Base2
2) Thicknet:

The thick coaxial cable is called as thicknet.

Ex: 10Base5

Applications or uses of coaxial cables:

 Used for distribution of TV signals.

 Used in cable TV network

3) Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) or Fiber Optic Cable:

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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

 The OFC consists of a centrally located a layer of glass called as ‘core’.

 The central core is surrounded by the layers of glass called as ‘cladding’.
 Finally, the core & cladding is covered by a thin plastic insulator to protect OFC.
 In OFC, the data is transmitted in the form of light (optic) with reflection property
of light.
 The OFC is expensive (high cost).

Modes of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC):

Basically, there are 2 modes (paths) of optical fiber cable,

1) Single mode:

In single mode, there is only one path between sender & receiver.

2) Multimode:

In multimode, there are many or multiple paths between sender & receiver.

Applications or uses of optical fiber cables:

 Used in fast local area network (fast ethernet) Ex: 100Base-FX.

 Some cable TV networks use the combination of both optical fiber cable & coaxial
cable.

Unguided Media:
The unguided media is a type of transmission media in which the data or information
is transmitted without physical conductor (cableless or wireless).

1) Radio Waves:

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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

 The signals whose frequency between 3 kHz to 1 GHz are called as radio waves.
 The radio waves travel in all the directions. Hence they are called as
‘omnidirectional waves’.
 Due to omnidirectional waves, the antennas adjustment or alignment is not required.
 The radio waves can easily penetrate (pass) through the walls.
 Radio waves are used for AM & FM radio transmission, cordless phone
communication, TV signals transmission etc.

2) Micro Waves:

 The signals whose frequency between 3 GHz to 10 GHz are called as micro waves.
 The micro waves travel in only one direction or single direction. Hence they are
called as ‘unidirectional waves’.
 Due to unidirectional waves, the antennas adjustment or alignment must required.
 The micro waves cannot penetrate (pass) through the walls.
 Micro waves are used for mobile phone communication, satellite communication,
micro ovens, TV signals transmission etc.

3) Infrared Waves:

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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

 The signals whose frequency between 300 GHz to 400 THz are called as infrared
waves.
 The infrared waves travel in only one direction or single direction. Hence they are
called as ‘unidirectional waves’.
 Due to unidirectional waves, the antennas adjustment or alignment must required.
 The infrared waves cannot penetrate (pass) through the walls.
 Infrared waves are used between TV & TV remote communication, wireless mouse
and CPU communication, wireless keyboard and CPU communication, toys and
remote communication etc.

Multiplexing:

The multiplexing is a technique in which many or multiple signals are combined into
one signal and it is transmitted through a single link (channel).

The different categories or types of multiplexing are,

1. Frequency Division Multiplexing(FDM).

2. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM).
3. Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).

1. Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM):

 In FDM, the total available frequency or bandwidth is divided into smaller
frequencies.
 The smaller frequencies are represented as f1, f2, f3, f4, …………fn.
 Each smaller frequencies are of different frequency values.
 After dividing, each smaller frequencies are allocated to different users.
 The user must transmit the data by using allocated frequency.

2. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM):

 In TDM, the total available time is divided into small intervals of time.
 The small intervals of time are represented as t 1, t2, t3, t4, …………tn.
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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

 Each small intervals of time have different values.

 After dividing the total time, each small intervals of time are allocated to different
users.
 The user must transmit the data within the allocated time.

3. Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM):

 The WDM is similar to Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM).
 But the WDM always prefers optical fiber cable as transmission media to transmit the
data with high speed.
 In WDM, the total available frequency or bandwidth is divided into smaller
frequencies.
 The smaller frequencies are represented as f1, f2, f3, f4, …………fn.
 Each smaller frequencies are of different frequency values.
 After dividing, each smaller frequencies are allocated to different users.
 The user must transmit the data by using allocated frequency.

Switching:

The process or operations happened inside a switch like ‘open / close or break / make

on / off’ is called as switching

Basically, there are 3 types of switching,

1) Circuit switching

2) Message switching
3) Packet switching

1) Circuit switching:

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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

A -- Sender
B -- Receiver
1,2,3,4,5,6 -- Switches

In circuit switching the following steps takes place,

a) Circuit Establishment: An dedicated or reserved connection is established

between sender & receiver before transmitting the data.

b) Data Transfer: Once the connection is established, the data is transfer fron
sender to receiver.

c) Circuit Disconnect: After the data transfer is completed, the connection or circuit
is disconnected.
Ex: Telephone Communication

2) Message switching:

 In message switching no dedicated connection is established between sender &

receiver.
 When the sender sends the data, it stored in the sender switch temporarily than
forwarded to receiver switch. Finally reached to receiver.
 Hence, message switching is also called as “Store and Forward Network”.
Ex: E-mail Communication

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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

3) Packet switching:

 In packet switching the data is transmitted in the form of packets.

 Each packet consists of 3 parts. 1) Header 2) Actual Data 3) Trailer.
 Header stores sender & receiver address, Trailer stores error detecting & error
correcting techniques.
 Packet switching does not require any dedicated connection or store and forward
concept.
 In packet switching data transmission speed is high.

Ex: Virtual or Wireless Communication.

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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

Question Bank
2-mark questions
1) Define transmission media.
2) Define guided media.
3) Define unguided media.
4) Define multiplexing.
5) Define switching.
6) Expand STP & UTP.
7) What are radio waves.
8) What are micro waves.
9) What are infrared waves.
10) Define cladding.

5-marks questions

1)Explain twisted pair cable with diagram.

2) With diagram explain coaxial cable.

3) Briefly explain OFC with neat diagram.

4) Explain radio waves in detail.

5) Explain microwaves.

6) Explain infrared waves.

7) Explain FDM, TDM, WDM.

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3rd Sem BCA NEP(Course Code-CAC09) Computer Communication & Networks(CCN) 2022

8) Briefly explain circuit switching.

9) Explain message switching.

10) Explain packet switching.

7- Marks questions
1) Explain the various guided medias.
2) Explain the different unguided medias.
3) Define multiplexing. Explain its types.
4) Define switching & explain its types.
5) With related diagram explain twisted pair, coaxial & optical fiber cables.
6) Explain radio waves, microwaves & infrared waves.

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