Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Girl’s Polytechnic, Amravati.

INTRODUCTION

Concept of Communication
The term “Data Communication” comprises two words: Data and Communication. Data can
be any text, image, audio, video, and multimedia files. Communication is an act of sending or
receiving data. Thus, data communication refers to the exchange of data between two or more
networked or connected devices. These devices must be capable of sending and receiving data
over a communication medium. Examples of such devices include personal computers, mobile
phones, laptops, etc. As we can see in Figure 1, four different types of devices — computer,
printer, server and switch are connected to form the network. These devices are connected
through a media to the network, which carry information from one end to another end.

Figure 1: A simple network of computing devices

Components of Data Communication

Whenever we talk about communication between two computing devices using a network, five
most important aspects come to our mind. These are sender, receiver, communication medium,
the message to be communicated, and certain rules called protocols to be followed during
communication. The communication media is also called transmission media. Figure 2 shows
the role of these five components in data communication.

Figure 2: Components of data communication.

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Sender: A sender is a computer or any such device which is capable of sending data over a
network. It can be a computer, mobile phone, smartwatch, walkie talkie, video recording
device, etc.
Receiver: A receiver is a computer or any such device which is capable of receiving data from
the network. It can be any computer, printer, laptop, mobile phone, television, etc. In computer
communication, the sender and receiver are known as nodes in a network.
Message: It is the data or information that needs to be exchanged between the sender and the
receiver. Messages can be in the form of text, number, image, audio, video, multimedia, etc.
Communication media: It is the path through which the message travels between source and
destination. It is also called medium or link which is either wired or wireless. For example, a
television cable, telephone cable, ethernet cable, satellite link, microwaves, etc.
Protocols: It is a set of rules that need to be followed by the communicating parties in order to
have successful and reliable data communication. You have already come across protocols such
as Ethernet and HTTP.

Measuring Capacity of Communication Media

In data communication, the transmission medium is also known as channel. The capacity of a
channel is the maximum number of signals or traffic that a channel can carry.
It is measured in terms of bandwidth and Bitrate rate as described below:
❖ Bandwidth

Bandwidth is a measure of how much information a network can transfer.

It is measured as amount of data that can be transferred from one point to another within
a network in a specific amount of time. Typically, Bandwidth is expressed as Bitrate
and measure in bits per second (BPS).
For example, if the bandwidth of a network is 40 Mbps, it implies that the network
cannot transmit data faster than 40 Mbps in any given case.

❖ Bitrate

Bitrate can be defined as number of bits send in a second usually It is expressed in BPS
i.e. Bits per second. The higher units for data transfer rates are:

1 Kbps=210 bps=1024 bps

1 Mbps=220 bps=1024 Kbps
1 Gbps=230 bps=1024 Mbps
1 Tbps=240 bps=1024 Gbps

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TYPES OF DATA COMMUNICATION

Data communication happens in the form of signals between two or more computing devices
or nodes. The transfer of data happens over a point-to-point or multipoint communication
channel.
Data communication is broadly categorised into 3 types:
▪ Simplex communication
▪ Half duplex communication
▪ Full-duplex communication.

▪ Simplex Communication:
It is a one way or unidirectional communication between two devices in which one device
is sender and other one is receiver. Devices use the entire capacity of the link to transmit
the data. It is like a one-way street where vehicles can move in only one direction. For
example, data entered through a keyboard or audio sent to a speaker are one way
communication. With the advent of IoT, controlling home appliances is another example of
simplex communication as shown in the Figure 3. One can control fans, lights, fridge, oven
etc. while sitting in the office or driving a car.

Figure 3: Simplex communication

▪ Half-duplex Communication
It is two way or bidirectional communication between two devices in which both the
devices can send and receive data or control signals in both directions, but not at the same
time, as shown in Figure 4. While one device is sending data, the other one will receive and
vice-versa. It is like sharing a one-way narrow bridge among vehicles moving in both
directions. Vehicles cannot pass the bridge simultaneously. Basically, it is a simplex channel
where the direction of transmission can be switched. Application of such type of
communication can be found in walkie-talkie where one can press the push-to-talk button
and talk. This enables the transmitter and turns off the receiver in that device and others
can only listen.

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Figure.4: Half-duplex where communication occurs in two different moments.

▪ Full-duplex Communication
It is two way or bidirectional communication in which both devices can send and receive
data simultaneously, as shown in Figure 5. It is like a two-way road where vehicles can go
in both directions at the same time. This type of communication channel is employed to
allow simultaneous communication, for example, in our mobile phones and landline
telephones. The capacity of the transmission link is shared between the signals going in
both directions. This can be done either by using two physically separate simplex lines —
one for sending and other for receiving, or the capacity of the single channel is shared
between the signals travelling in different directions.

Figure 5: Full duplex transmission of data

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COMMUNICATION MEDIA
(Transmission Media)

A transmission/communication medium can be anything that can carry signals or data between
the source (transmitter) and destination (receiver). For example, as we switch on a ceiling fan
or a light bulb, the electric wire is the medium that carries electric current from switch to the
fan or bulb.
In data communication, transmission media are the links that carry messages between two or
more communicating devices. Transmission can be classified as guided or unguided. Figure 6.
shows the classification of communication media.
In guided transmission, there is a physical link made of wire/cable through which data in terms
of signals are propagated between the nodes. These are usually metallic cable, fiber-optic cable,
etc. They are also known as wired media.
In unguided transmission, data travels in air in terms of electromagnetic waves using an
antenna. They are also known as wireless media. Dish-shaped antennas are used for sending
and receiving data at longer distances. These antennas are mounted on taller buildings so that
it would be in line-of sight. Waves gradually become weaker and weaker after travelling a
certain distance through the air. Therefore, repeaters are installed to regenerate the signals of
the same energy.

Figure 6: Classification of communication media

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WIRED COMMUNICATION MEDIA

Any physical link that can carry data in the form of signals belongs to the category of wired
transmission media. Three commonly used guided/wired media for data transmission are,
▪ Twisted Pair Cable
▪ Coaxial Cable
▪ Fiber Optic Cable

Twisted-pair and coaxial cable carry the electric signals whereas the optical fiber cable
carries the light signals.

❖ Twisted Pair Cable:

A twisted-pair consists of two copper wires twisted like a DNA helical structure. Both
the copper wires are insulated with plastic covers. Usually, a number of such pairs are
combined together and covered with a protective outer wrapping, as shown in Figure7

Figure 7: Twisted pair of cables

Each of the twisted pair’s act as a single communication link. The use of twisted
configuration minimises the effect of electrical interference from similar pairs close by.
Twisted pairs are less expensive and most commonly used in telephone lines and LANs.
These cables are of two types: Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) and shielded twisted-pair
(STP), as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8: UTP Cable and STP Cable

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❖ Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)

Figure 9: UTP Cable

✓ Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is a ubiquitous type of copper cabling used in telephone
wiring and local area networks (LANs). The five types of UTP cables are identified
with the prefix CAT, as in category, each supporting a different amount of bandwidth.

✓ The Internet plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, from work to entertainment and from
shopping to paying utility bills. Ever wondered how the world is literally connected
with the World Wide Web, both in spirit and physical sense. The physical connection is
achieved through a UTP cable, also known as Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable. This
twisted pair of cabling offers a steady network tailor-made for data transfer and
telephony.

✓ A standard UTP cable consists of a 100-ohm copper cable made with 2 – 1800
unshielded twisted pairs shielded by an outer jacket. As they have no metallic shield,
the cable diameter is reduced but cannot avoid electrical interference. The twisting in
these cables boosts immunity to EMI and electrical noise. In the mantle of an unshielded
twisted pair cable, there are 8 separate wires twisted in 4 pairs. A connector is placed at
the end of these cables, usually known as RJ45 plugs

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❖ Shielded twisted pair (STP)

Figure 10: STP Cable

✓ Shielded twisted pair (STP) cable was originally designed by IBM for token ring
networks that include two individual wires covered with a foil shielding, which prevents
electromagnetic interference, thereby transporting data faster.

✓ STP is similar to unshielded twisted pair (UTP); however, it contains an extra foil
wrapping or copper braid jacket to help shield the cable signals from interference. STP
cables are costlier when compared to UTP, but has the advantage of being capable of
supporting higher transmission rates across longer distances.

✓ Some STP cablings make use of a thick copper braided shield which makes the cable
thicker, heavier, and in turn much more difficult for installation as compared to the UTP
cables.

✓ The other usual STP cables, often called foil twisted-pair cables or screened twisted-
pair cables, make use of just a thinner outer foil shield. These cables are thin and more
affordable versus the braided STP cable; but they are very difficult to install. Except in
cases where the maximum pulling tension and minimum bend radius are strictly
observed, these thinner cables may be torn during the installation process.

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❖ Advantages of Twisted pair cable:

➢ It is the smallest amount expensive media of transmission for brief distances.

➢ Best performance in short distances.
➢ High-cost performance
➢ The twisted-pair cable is low in weight.
➢ Twisted pair cable is flexible to use
➢ Twisted Pair cable is easy to connect.

❖ Disadvantages of Twisted pair cable:

➢ It result signal distortion in a very effective manner.

➢ Attenuation is very high.
➢ Low bandwidth.
➢ It provides poor security and is relatively easy to tap.
➢ As they a thin so can be easily breakable.
➢ Low durability (must be maintained regularly).

❖ Application Of Twisted pair cable:

➢ Telephone lines and Voice over IP (VoIP) systems

➢ Local Area Networks (LANs) for data transmission, such as Ethernet networks
➢ Security camera and surveillance systems
➢ Building automation and industrial control systems

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❖ Coaxial cable:

Coaxial cable is another type of data transmission medium. It is better shielded and has
more bandwidth than a twisted pair. As shown in Figure 9, it has a copper wire at the
core of the cable which is surrounded with insulating material. The insulator is further
surrounded with an outer conductor (usually a copper mesh). This outer conductor is
wrapped in a plastic cover. The key to success of coaxial cable is its shielded design
that allows the cable's copper core to transmit data quickly, without interference of
environmental factors. These types of cables are used to carry signals of higher
frequencies to a longer distance.

Figure 11: A coaxial cable

Table 1: Categories of Coaxial Cable

❖ Advantages of Coaxial Cable

➢ Coaxial cable is very durable

➢ Best performance in short-distance transmission
➢ The cost of coaxial cable is less.
➢ The outer conductor in coaxial
➢ Supports High Bandwidth.
➢ Supports Multiple Channel

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❖ Disadvantages of Coaxial Cable

➢ Long-distance signal loss is serious

➢ Signal leakage at the connection
➢ Speed fluctuation under heavy use
➢ It is bulky.
➢ It is expensive to install for longer distances due to its thickness and stiffness.

❖ Application Of Coaxial Cable

➢ Telecommunications: Coaxial cables are used for broadband internet and cable
television services, providing high-speed data transmission and reliable connectivity.
➢ Audio and Video: Coaxial cables are utilized for transmitting high-quality audio and
video signals in professional broadcasting, home theatre systems, and security camera
installations.
➢ Radio Frequency: Coaxial cables are essential for transmitting radio frequency signals
in applications such as ham radio, wireless communication systems, and radar
installations.
➢ Networking: Coaxial cables can be used for local area network (LAN) installations,
particularly in environments where high levels of interference may be present.

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❖ Fibre Optic Cable:

The optical fibre cable carries data as light, which travels inside a thin fibre of glass (Figure
10). Optic fibre uses refraction to direct the light through the media. A thin transparent
strand of glass at the centre is covered with a layer of less dense glass called cladding. This
whole arrangement is covered with an outer jacket made of PVC or Teflon. Such types of
cables are usually used in backbone networks. These cables are of light weight and have
higher bandwidth which means higher data transfer rate. Signals can travel longer distances
and electromagnetic noise cannot affect the cable. However, optic fibres are expensive and
unidirectional. Two cables are required for full duplex communication.

Figure 12: Fibre Optic Cable

❖ Types of Fibre Optic Cable

• Plastic Core and Cladding

o Plastic fibre is made Flexible and consequently more rugged than glass.
o They are easy to install can better with stand with stress.
o Are less expensive and way approximately 60% less than glass.
• Glass core with plastic Cladding
o Fibres with glass core exhibits low attenuation characteristic however PCS fibres
are slightly better than SCS.
o PCS are less affected by radiation therefore more attractive to military application.
▪ Glass core with Glass Cladding
o SCS fibre have the base propagation characteristic and they are easy to terminate
than PCS fibre.
o Unfortunately, SCS cable are the list ragged and they are most susceptible to
increase in attenuation when expose the / to radiation.

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❖ Advantages of Fibre Optic cables

➢ Optical fibres are light in weight

➢ Optical fibres are cost-effective
➢ Optical fibres protect the data that is transferred through them.
➢ Optical fibres can transfer large amounts of data
➢ No harmful radiations are released from optical fibres.
➢ Installation is extremely easy due to less weight.

❖ Disadvantages Of Fibre Optic Cable:

➢ Cable is very difficult to merge so there’ll be loss of beam within cable

➢ Installation of those cables is cost-effective.
➢ They’re not as robust because wires Special equipment is typically required to optical
fibre.
➢ These cables are highly vulnerable while fitting
➢ These cables are more delicate than copper wires.
➢ Special devices are needed to ascertain transmission of fibre cable.
➢ Fiber optic cable is dear to put in. It needs costly splicing machines and trained
specialists to place in fibre optic cables.

❖ Application of fibre Optic cable

➢ Telephone
Telephone calls are made between different two locations that are near or far away from
each other. Implementation of such communication between two different places is a
difficult task. Therefore, optical Fibers are used that make this connection and
communication between two far places easy and clear.
➢ Medical Applications
The structure of the optical Fibers is very flexible and is of small size. Therefore, optical
fibre is used in medical applications to view the internal body parts. During the surgery
of internal body parts, there is a need to transmit light, therefore, optical Fiber is
required.
➢ CCTV cameras
Installation of CCTV cameras requires a high initial investment. So, CCTV cameras
and the applications that make use of them need to work properly for a long period of
time. CCTV cameras are therefore installed using fibres optic cables for long use.

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➢ Computer Networking
In a network multiple systems are connected together. These systems are connected
with the help of fibre optic cables. Fibre optic cables can connect the devices together
that belongs to same network or another network. In these connected networks fibre
optic cables can transmit the data Fastly and efficiently as compared to other copper
wires.
➢ Internet
Internet is widely used for every application today. Fibre optic cables are majorly used
in internet. Fibre optic cables are used in internet as they can transmit large amount of
data and over long distances. Using fibre optic cables provides with advantages such as
high transmission, flexibility, low weight etc. Therefore, in internet fibre optic cables
ae used.
➢ Defence and Space related Applications
The most basic necessity in defence and space related applications is security. Fibre
optic cables thus provides with more security of data. In space applications there are
various tasks such as communication between satellites, high data transmission etc.
This task can be performed with greater efficiency by fibre optic cables.
➢ Automobile Industries
Today the automotive industries are expanding very rapidly. For lighting the interior
and exterior parts and for providing the security fibre optics is widely used in vehicles.
This fibre optic cables can help to transmit the light from one part to another and
provides with faster communication between them.

COMPARISON OF GUIDED MEDIA

Transmission Frequency Bandwidth Data rate Repeater

Media range (MHz) (Mbps) Spacing (km)

Twisted pair 0-3.5Hz for 3 4 2-10 km

load & 0-1
MHz for multi
pair cable
Coaxial-Cable 0-500 MHz 350 500 1-10 km

Fiber Optic 180-370 MHz 2 2 10-100 km

Cable

Table 2: Comparison of guided media

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ADVANTAGES OF WIRED NETWORKS

➢ Reliability:
Wired networks offer a high level of reliability due to the stable physical connection.

➢ Speed:
Wired networks are renowned for their fast data transfer speeds.

➢ Security:
Wired networks provide enhanced security compared to wireless networks.
Since the data is transmitted through physical cables, it is considerably more difficult
for unauthorized individuals to intercept or access the information being transmitted.

➢ Stability:
Wired connections are less prone to fluctuations and signal degradation. This stability
ensures a consistent and reliable connection, making wired networks preferable for
critical operations and sensitive applications.

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DISADVANTAGES OF WIRED NETWORKS

➢ Limited Mobility:
One of the primary limitations of wired networks is the lack of mobility.
Since the devices need to be physically connected to the network through cables, it can
restrict movement and flexibility, particularly in situations where mobility is crucial,
such as in a large office or industrial environment.

➢ Installation Complexity:
Setting up a wired network can be more complicated and time-consuming compared to
wireless networks. It involves running cables through walls, floors, or ceilings, which
may require professional assistance. Additionally, the presence of physical cables can
make the network infrastructure less aesthetically pleasing.

➢ Cost:
Wired networks generally involve higher upfront costs due to the need for cables,
switches, routers, and other hardware. The cost of installation, maintenance, and cable
management can also add up over time, especially for larger networks spanning
multiple locations.

➢ Scalability Challenges:
Expanding or modifying a wired network can be more challenging compared to
wireless networks.

➢ Maintenance.
Physical servers need attention and the know-how to maintain them properly. There’s also a wider
physical infrastructure to be maintained.

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APPLICATION

➢ Local Telephone Network:

Local residential and commercial customers frequently begin their wired
communications on local telephone networks. Most networks today use fiber-optic
communication technology to provide clear signalling for both inbound and outbound
transmissions.

➢ Television Cable:
Wired communications also include cable television. The cable network and the
connection can both be activated using the same cable, enabling the reception of both
audio and visual transmissions. Signal received by receiver and transformed into sound
and image formats that the reception device can understand.

➢ Fibre Optics Under Ocean:

The ability to transmit large amounts of data quickly is the main benefit of fibre optic
cables under water. For instance, when streaming a video, the video is turned into light
so that it can be sent over a fibre optic cable. It is converted back to video before it gets
to its destination.

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MODES OF PROPAGATION
There are three modes of propagation

▪ Ground propagation
▪ Sky Propagation
▪ Line of Sight propagation

❖ Ground Propagation.

In ground propagation, radio waves travel through the lowest portion of the atmosphere,
hugging the earth. These low-frequency signals emanate in all directions from the
transmitting antenna and follow the curvature of the planet. Distance depends on the
amount of power in the signal: The greater the power, the greater the distance.

Figure 13: Ground propagation

❖ Sky Propagation.
In sky propagation, higher-frequency radio waves radiate upward into the ionosphere (the
layer of atmosphere where particles exist as ions) where they are reflected back to earth.
This type of transmission allows for greater distances with lower output power.

Figure 14: Sky propagation

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❖ Line of Sight Propagation.

In line-or-sight propagation, very high-frequency signals are transmitted in straight lines
directly from antenna to antenna. Antennas must be directional, facing each other, and
either tall enough or close enough together not to be affected by the curvature of the earth.
Line-of-sight propagation is tricky because radio transmissions cannot be completely
focused.

Figure 15: Line of Sight propagation

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WIRELESS COMMUNICATION MEDIA

❖ Radio waves communication

Radio waves have frequencies between 10 kHz and 1 gigahertz. The range of
electromagnetic spectrum between 10 kHz and 1 GHz is known as radio frequency (RF).
radio waves are omnidirectional. When an antenna sends radio waves, they are propagated
in all directions. This defines that the sending and receiving antennas do not have to be
aligned. A sending antenna sends waves that any receiving antenna can receive. It is based
on the wavelength, strength, and purpose of transmission. There are various types of
antennas, as display in the figure. radio waves are those waves that propagate in the sky
mode, can travel long distances. Radio waves are those of low and medium frequencies,
can penetrate walls. thus, an AM radio can receive signals inside a building also. radio
waves are effortless to generate, and they can travel a long distance. Due to these reasons,
they are broadly used for indoor and outdoor communications. These are the waves through
which your walky-talky sets and radio operates.

Figure 16: Radio waves communication

❖ Advantages of Radio-wave:

➢ Communication – Radio waves are used for communication over long distances,
including radio broadcasting, mobile phones, and satellite communications. This allows
people to stay connected and informed no matter where they are.
➢ Medical Applications – Radio waves are used in medical procedures like MRI scans,
which use radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s internal organs and
tissues. They are also used in radiation therapy to treat cancer patients.

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➢ Weather Forecasting – Radio waves are used to study the Earth’s atmosphere, which
helps meteorologists predict the weather more accurately. This information is vital for
farmers, airlines, and many other industries that rely on weather forecasts.
➢ Scientific Research – Radio waves are used by astronomers to study distant objects in
space, such as galaxies and black holes. They are also used by geologists to study the
Earth’s crust and to search for natural resources.
➢ Navigation – Radio waves are used in GPS (Global Positioning System) to help people
navigate using their phones, cars, and other devices. This has made it easier for people
to travel to new places and to find their way around unfamiliar areas.

❖ Disadvantages Of Radio-wave:

➢ Interference – One of the main disadvantages of radio waves is that they can be easily
interfered with. This means that other electronic devices can disrupt the signal and cause
static or even complete loss of communication.
➢ Limited range – Radio waves can only travel a certain distance before they start to
weaken and become less effective. This means that if you’re too far away from a radio
station or transmitter, you might not be able to receive the signal.
➢ Health concerns – While there is no conclusive evidence that radio waves are harmful
to human health, some people are concerned about the potential risks associated with
prolonged exposure to radio waves.
➢ Weather dependency – Radio waves can be affected by weather conditions such as
rain, snow, and thunderstorms. This means that the quality of the signal can be affected
by bad weather, making it more difficult to receive clear communication.
➢ Security risks – Radio waves are not secure and can be intercepted by others with the
right equipment. This means that sensitive information sent through radio waves could
potentially be intercepted and used for malicious purposes.

❖ Application Of Radio-wave

➢ The omnidirectional characteristics of radio waves make them useful for multicasting,
in which there is one sender but many receivers.
➢ AM and FM radio, television, maritime radio, cordless phones, and paging are
examples of multicasting.

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❖ Microwave communication:

Microwave transmission is the transmission of information by electromagnetic waves with

wavelengths in the microwave frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz (1 m - 1 mm
wavelength) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Microwave signals are normally limited to
the line of sight, so long-distance transmission using these signals requires a series of
repeaters forming a microwave relay network. It is possible to use microwave signals in
over-the-horizon communications using tropospheric scatter, but such systems are
expensive and generally used only in specialist roles.

Figure 17: Microwave Communication

❖ Advantages of Micro-wave Communication:

➢ Speed – Microwave transmission allows for very fast data transfer, making it useful for
things like live television broadcasts and internet connections.
➢ Distance – Microwave transmission can cover long distances, making it useful for
connecting remote areas to the rest of the world.
➢ Reliability – microwave transmission is often more reliable than other forms of
wireless communication, such as satellite or cellular connections.
➢ Cost-effectiveness – Setting up a microwave transmission system can be less expensive
than laying cables or building towers for other types of transmission.
➢ Security – Microwave transmissions can be encrypted, making them more secure than
some other forms of wireless communication.

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❖ Disadvantages of Micro-wave Communication:

➢ Weather interference – Heavy rain, snow, or fog can interfere with microwave
transmission and cause disruptions in service.
➢ Line-of-sight requirement – Microwave transmission requires a clear line of sight
between the transmitter and receiver, which can be affected by buildings or natural
obstacles.
➢ Limited bandwidth – The amount of information that can be sent through a microwave
transmission is limited by the available bandwidth.
➢ Health concerns – Some studies have suggested that prolonged exposure to
microwaves from transmission towers could be harmful to human health.
➢ Vulnerability to interference – Microwave transmissions can be disrupted by other
electronic devices, such as radar systems or cell phones, that operate on the same
frequency.

❖ Application Of Microwaves Communication:

➢ Microwaves, due to their unidirectional properties, are very useful when unicast (one-
to-one) communication is needed between the sender and the receiver. They are used in
cellular phones, satellite networks, and wireless LANs.

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❖ Infrared communication:
Infrared (IR; sometimes called infrared light) is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in the
spectral band between microwaves and visible light (the nominal red edge of the visible
spectrum). It is invisible to the human eye. IR is generally understood to encompass
wavelengths from around 750 nm to 1000 μm (400 THz to 300 GHz). Infrared radiation is
used in industrial, scientific, military, commercial, and medical applications. Night-vision
devices using active near-infrared illumination allow people or animals to be observed
without the observer being detected. Infrared astronomy uses sensor-equipped telescopes
to penetrate dusty regions of space such as molecular clouds, to detect objects such as
planets, and to view highly red-shifted objects from the early days of the universe.[9]
Infrared thermal-imaging cameras are used to detect heat loss in insulated systems, to
observe changing blood flow in the skin, to assist firefighting, and to detect the overheating
of electrical components.

Figure 18: Infrared Communication

❖ Advantages Of Infrared Communication:

➢ Penetrates fog and rain – Infrared waves can move through fog and rain, making it
possible to see things that ordinary light can’t show.
➢ Used in remote controls – Many gadgets like TVs and air conditioners work with
remotes that send infrared signals to control them.
➢ Heats food in microwaves – When you warm up leftovers, infrared waves in your
microwave help heat the food quickly and evenly.
➢ Night vision capability – Special cameras that detect infrared waves help people see
in the dark, which is useful for security and wildlife tracking.
➢ Wireless communication technology – Devices like smartphones and laptops use
infrared for exchanging data over short distances without needing wires.

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❖ Disadvantages Of Infrared Communication:

➢ Limited range in fog and rain – Infrared waves don’t travel well through fog and rain,
which can absorb or scatter the waves, reducing visibility for devices like remote
controls and security cameras.
➢ Easily blocked by objects – Objects like walls and doors can block infrared waves,
which means they can’t pass through solid materials, limiting their use in transmitting
information from one room to another.
➢ Short communication distance – Unlike radio waves, infrared waves can’t cover long
distances, making them unsuitable for communication over several kilometers, as they
are typically used for short-range applications.
➢ Can cause skin burns – High-intensity infrared radiation can heat up skin tissue,
leading to burns if someone is exposed to it for too long or at a close distance, similar
to how the sun can burn skin.
➢ Not suitable for high-speed internet – Infrared technology doesn’t support the high
data transfer rates needed for today’s high-speed internet, which is why it’s not used for
broadband connections that require fast and efficient data transmission.

❖ Application of Infrared Communication:

➢ The infrared band, almost 400 THz, has an excellent potential for data transmission.
Such a wide bandwidth can be used to transmit digital data with a very high data rate.
The Infrared Data Association (IrDA), an association for sponsoring the use of infrared
waves, has established standards for using these signals for communication between
devices such as keyboards, mice, PCs, and printers. For example, some manufacturers
provide a special port called the IrDA port that allows a wireless keyboard to
communicate with a PC. The standard originally defined a data rate of 75 kbps for a
distance up to 8 m. The recent standard defines a data rate of 4 Mbps. Infrared signals
defined by IrDA transmit through line of sight; the IrDA port on the keyboard needs to
point to the PC for transmission to occur.

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ADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS MEDIA

➢ Freedom from wires:

Can be configured with the use of any physical connection.

➢ Easy to setup:
Wireless network is easy to expand and setup.

➢ Flexibility:
Wireless network is more flexible and adaptable compared to a wired network.

➢ Cost-effectiveness:
Since it is easy to install and doesn’t require cables, the wireless network is relatively
cheaper.

➢ Mobile and portable:

Wireless network is easy to carry and re-install in another place.

➢ Mobility:
It has good mobility of usage.

➢ Data transmission is fast:

In wireless network data transmission is fast.

➢ Low maintenance:
In any wireless communication low maintenance cost.

➢ Network planning:
Network planning in wireless communication is very easy as compare to wired
network due to wireless software configuration of frequency, power and other
parameter.

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DISADVANTAGES OF WIRELESS MEDIA

➢ As communication is done through open space, it is less secure.

➢ Unreliability

➢ More open to interference.

➢ Transmission speed is comparably less.

➢ Wireless networks can be easily hacked.

➢ Wireless networks require a careful radio frequency when they are installed.

➢ Wireless networks are usually inexpensive, but the cost of installation is very high,
setting up a wireless network is very costly.

➢ Difficult to set up little experience people.

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APPLICATIONS OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION:

➢ Wi-Fi:

Wireless technology saves businesses or companies a considerable amount of money

on installations costs.

➢ Bluetooth:

It is also a wireless technology especially used for short range that acts as a complement
to Wi-Fi. It is used to transfer data between computers or cellphones. Mobile
communications: We use things like cell phones and satellites to talk and send messages
over long distances.

➢ Internet of Things (IoT):

This is when we connect different gadgets over the internet, like innovative home
products and industrial machines.

➢ Satellite communication:

We use satellites to send and get information, like weather forecasting and TV
broadcasting.

➢ Wireless local area networks:

This is when we connect devices to the internet without wires, like in our homes or
public places like airports.

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CONCLUSION

Wired communication refers to the transfer of data over a physical link, like cables or wires.
It has long been a crucial component of communication technology and is still widely used
today. In comparison to wireless communication, wired communication has a number of
benefits, including faster speeds, more dependable connections, and better security. It has some
drawbacks, though, including the requirement for physical infrastructure and the potential for
signal interference. Overall, wired communication is still a crucial technology in today’s world
and is likely to stay that way for some time to come.
Wireless communications globally are something that people can expect as technology
advances. Wireless communications have a lot of benefits and can make the world a lot more
efficient. It does have concerns though as with every other new advancement that is made in
today’s world. The issues with security regarding access to a person’s personal information or
the negative impact that it may seem to have on society are a few things that are holding back
the progress that wireless technology could be making. With more research and experiments
conducted, the problems associated with wireless communications can be reduced and make it
a more significant part of the world. Wireless technology will be very important in the near
future where the need for wires connecting individual devices seems to be coming to an end.

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REFERENCE
Books:

▪ Data Communication and Networks by Godbole Achyut.

▪ Computer Networking by T. M. Bansod.
▪ Data Communications and Networking by Behrouz A Forouzan.

Websites:

▪ https://www.aplustopper.com/wireless-network-advantages-and-
disadvantages/#Disadvantages_of_Wireless_Network

▪ https://mason.gmu.edu/~abashir7/conclusion.html

▪ https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-wireless-
communication/

▪ https://www.javatpoint.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-wireless-
communication

▪ https://gadgetronix.net/advantages-of-wireless-communication-systems/

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