Program-Electronics and Telecommunication Engg.

Semester -6th
Subject-Computer Networking and Data Communication. (22634)

Unit 3-Physical Layer

BY
Prof. LANDGE POOJA PANDIT
Lecturer

Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering Department

Brahmdevdada Mane Polytechnic Belati,Solapur .
(Approved by AICTE New Delhi, Affiliated to MSBTE Mumbai, Excellent Grade Institute)

1
 Content
3.1 Multiplexing
FDM
TDM
WDM
3.2 Transmission medium
3.3 Guided media
3.4 Unguided media
3.5 Modems
3.6 switching
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3.1 Multiplexing
Multiplexing is a technique used to combine and send the
multiple data streams over a single medium. The process of
combining the data streams is known as multiplexing and
hardware used for multiplexing is known as a multiplexer.
Multiplexing is achieved by using a device called
Multiplexer (MUX) that combines n input lines to generate a
single output line. Multiplexing follows many-to-one, i.e., n
input lines and one output line.
Demultiplexing is achieved by using a device called
Demultiplexer (DEMUX) available at the receiving end
The 'n' input lines are transmitted through a multiplexer
and multiplexer combines the signals to form a composite
signal.
The composite signal is passed through a Demultiplexer
and demultiplexer separates a signal to component signals
and transfers them to their respective destinations.
Multiplexing Techniques
Frequency-division Multiplexing
(FDM)
The main aim of the FDM is to subdivide the available
bandwidth into different frequency channels and allocate
them to different devices.
Wavelength Division
Multiplexing (WDM)
Wavelength Division Multiplexing is same as FDM
except that the optical signals are transmitted through the
fibre optic cable.
WDM is used on fibre optics to increase the capacity of a
single fibre.
Time Division Multiplexing
In Frequency Division Multiplexing Technique, all signals
operate at the same time with different frequency, but in
case of Time Division Multiplexing technique, all signals
operate at the same frequency with different time
Concept Of Synchronous TDM

In Synchronous TDM, signals are sent in the form of

frames. Time slots are organized in the form of frames. If
a device does not have data for a particular time slot, then
the empty slot will be transmitted.
Concept Of Asynchronous TDM

Asynchronous Time Division multiplexor accepts the

incoming data streams and creates a frame that contains
only data with no empty slots.
3.2 Transmission medium
Transmission media is a communication channel that carries the
information from the sender to the receiver. Data is transmitted
through the electromagnetic signals.
The main functionality of the transmission media is to carry the
information in the form of bits through LAN(Local Area Network).
It is a physical path between transmitter and receiver in data
communication.
In a copper-based network, the bits in the form of electrical signals.
The electrical signals can be sent through the copper wire, fibre
optics, atmosphere, water, and vacuum.
Classification Of Transmission Media
3.3 Guided Media

It is defined as the physical medium through which the

signals are transmitted. It is also known as Bounded media
Types of guided media
1. Twisted pair
2. Fiber Optic
3. Coaxial Cable
 Twisted pair:
Twisted pair is a physical media made up of a pair of cables
twisted with each other. A twisted pair cable is cheap as
compared to other transmission media. Installation of the
twisted pair cable is easy, and it is a lightweight cable.
Continue…
The frequency range for twisted pair cable is from 0 to
3.5KHz.
Increasing the number of turns per foot decreases noise
interference.
Two types of twisted pair cable
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
 UTP is more used than STP
 An unshielded twisted pair is widely used in
telecommunication.
 The wires are not shielded.
 Noise is high.
 Installation is easy.
 Connector: RJ45 connector is used.(RJ-Registered Jack).
Connector of twisted pair cable

For connecting cables between two computers we have to

use connectors on both ends of cable
Connectors are male female types
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
STP cable has a metal foil or braided mesh included in
order to cover each pair of twisted insulating conductors.
Used only for IBM computers.
Low cost medium.
Support data rates up to several Mbps(1-155 Mbps)
 Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cable is very commonly used transmission media, for
example, TV wire is usually a coaxial cable.
The name of the cable is coaxial as it contains two conductors
parallel to each other.
It has a higher frequency as compared to Twisted pair cable.
Data rate-10 Mbps
The inner conductor of the coaxial cable is made up of copper,
and the outer conductor is made up of copper mesh. The middle
core is made up of non-conductive cover that separates the inner
conductor from the outer conductor.
The middle core is responsible for the data transferring

Advantages
They are easy to install
Losses are small
Less attenuation
Larger bandwidth than twisted pair cables.
Connector of coaxial cable
Connector used for coaxial cable is BNC(Bayone -Neill-
Concelman )connectors.
BNC connectors connects the end of the cable to a
device such as a TV set.
Types
BNC connector
BNC-T connector
BNC terminator
 Fibre Optic

Fibre optic cable is a cable that uses electrical signals for

communication.
Fibre optic is a cable that holds the optical fibers coated in
plastic that are used to send the data by pulses of light.
The plastic coating protects the optical fibers from heat, cold,
electromagnetic interference from other types of wiring.
Fiber optics provide faster data transmission than copper wires.

Advantages:
Small size and small weight
Low cost and easy availability
No electrical interference
Large bandwidth

Applications:
In the LANs
It is widely used in the backbone if networks.
Fiber optic cable connectors
Fiber optic cable use Three types of connectors.
1. Subscriber channel (SC) connector.
2. MT-RJ connector
3. Streight tip(ST) connector
3.4 Unguided Transmission
 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.

Types of unguided media

Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared
 Radio waves
Radio waves are the electromagnetic waves that are transmitted in
all the directions of free space.
Radio waves are omnidirectional, i.e., the signals are propagated in
all the directions.
The range in frequencies of radio waves is from 10KHz to 1 GHz.
In the case of radio waves, the wave sent by the sending antenna can
be received by any receiving antenna.
An example of the radio wave is FM radio.
 Microwaves
Microwaves are Unidirectional electromagnetic waves.
Frequency range 1 to 300 GHz.
Used in space wave propagation.
High data rate can easily supported.
Terrestrial Microwave transmission is a technology that
transmits the focused beam of a radio signal from one ground-
based microwave transmission antenna to another.
These systems use directional parabolic antennas.
Signals are highly focused.
Frequency range 4-6GHz
Used in wireless LAN, cellular phone, satellite networks.

Satellite communication is more reliable nowadays as it offers

more flexibility than cable and fibre optic systems.
We can communicate with any point on the globe by using
satellite communication.
Infrared

An infrared transmission is a wireless technology used for

communication over short ranges.
The frequency of the infrared in the range from 300 GHz to 400
THz.
It is used for short-range communication such as data transfer
between two cell phones, TV remote operation, data transfer
between a computer and cell phone resides in the same closed
area.
Used for communication between keyboard, mouse PCs and
printers.
 3.5 Modems
Modem is a device that enables a computer to send
or receive data over telephone or cable lines.
The data stored on the computer is digital whereas a
telephone line or cable wire can transmit only analog data.
The main function of the modem is to convert digital signal
into analog and vice versa.
Modem is a combination of two devices − modulator and demodulator.
The modulator converts digital data into analog data when the data is being sent by
the computer.
The demodulator converts analog data signals into digital data when it is being
received by the computer.

Types of Modem

1. External Modem
2. Internal Modem
3. Wireless Modem
4. Dial-up Modem
5. Cable Modem
6. DSL Modem
7. Satellite Modem
8. Half-duplex Modem
9. Four-wire Modem
10. two-wire Modem
 1. External Modem:
 The external modem is connected outside the computer system using a serial
cable.
 The installation is very easy, and it also provides a high data transmission rate.
 It is expensive but still used due to its high-speed data transmission in offices,
mostly to avoid interruption in network connectivity.

 2. Internal Modem:
 As its name suggests, the internal modem is installed over a PC's
motherboard, termed as the internal modem.
 It looks similar to an electronic circuit and mounted into an expansion slot of
the motherboard.
 The installation is complex, and its data transmission speed is also slow;
hence it is used for the dedicated computer in homes/ or small spaces.
3. Wireless Modem
Wireless modems are connected to the computer systems without any cable,
and most people use these modems for their personal use.
These modems use radio frequencies to transmit the data through the air and
also provides good transmission speed.

4. Dial-up Modem

Dial-up modem establishes the internet connection by connecting the ISP to
the computer using the conventional telephone line.
It uses a PSTN facility (Public Switched telephone network) and provides a
transmission speed of 56kb/sec.

5. Cable Modem

The cable modem is known as the broadband device as it allows the
computer to communicate with ISP over a landline connection.
It is connected with the landline connection using the coaxial cable and with
the computer using the Ethernet.
 6. DSL Modem
 DSL stands for Digital Subscriber line that allows the transmission of data over
the normal telephone line.
 It provides a high data transmission speed, hence widely used in offices/homes.
 It can be used to connect to a computer or router to provide the internet
connection through the Ethernet port or USB port.
 The DSL modems are of two types:
 ADSL Modem
 SDSL Modem

 7. Satellite Modem
 Satellite modems are expensive modems and do not require any telephone
connection for the internet.
 It uses satellite technology to send or receive the data.
 The speed of the modem is comparatively slower than DSL or cable Modem.
8. Half-duplex Modem
As the name suggests, it allows transmitting the data in one direction only at a time.
It means if it is receiving the signal from one end, at that time, it will stop receiving
the signal at another end. Once the transmission of one end is completed, then only
the other end can transmit the data.

9. Full Duplex Modem

The full-duplex modems can transmit the data from both ends at the same time.
It means it can receive the data from one end and the other end simultaneously
without any interruption.

10. Four-wire Modem

It splits the pair of wires for incoming and outgoing data carriers.
With this split, it can transmit the same frequency on both ends.

11. Two-wire Modem

It uses a pair of wires hence called two-wire modems. Only these two wires are used
for incoming and outgoing carriers.
3.6 Switching

When a user accesses the internet or another computer network

outside their immediate location, messages are sent through the
network of transmission media. This technique of transferring the
information from one computer network to another network is
known as switching.
Switching in a computer network is achieved by using switches.
A switch is a small hardware device which is used to join multiple
computers together with one local area network (LAN).
Network switches operate at layer 2 (Data link layer) in the OSI
model.
Switches are used to forward the packets based on MAC addresses.
Switching techniques
 Circuit Switching
Circuit switching is a switching technique that establishes a
dedicated path between sender and receiver.
In the Circuit Switching Technique, once the connection is
established then the dedicated path will remain to exist until the
connection is terminated.
In circuit switching technique, when any user wants to send the data,
a request signal is sent to the receiver then the receiver sends back
the acknowledgment to ensure the availability of the dedicated path.
After receiving the acknowledgment, dedicated path transfers the
data.
Ex. Local Telephone network
Packet Switching
In packet switching the message is sent in one go, but it is
divided into smaller pieces, and they are sent individually.
The message splits into smaller pieces known as packets and
packets are given a unique number to identify their order at the
receiving end.
Every packet contains some information in its headers such as
source address, destination address and sequence number.
Packets will travel across the network, taking the shortest path
as possible.
There are two approaches to Packet Switching:

Datagram Packet switching

The packets are called as a datagram.
 Each packet contains the information about the destination
and switch uses this information to forward the packet to the
correct destination.
The packets are reassembled at the receiving end in correct
order.
In Datagram Packet Switching technique, the path is not fixed.
Intermediate nodes take the routing decisions to forward the
packets.
Datagram Packet Switching is also known as connectionless
switching.
Virtual Circuit Switching
Virtual Circuit Switching is also known as connection-
oriented switching.
In the case of Virtual circuit switching, a preplanned route is
established before the messages are sent.
Call request and call accept packets are used to establish the
connection between sender and receiver.
In this case, the path is fixed for the duration of a logical
connection.
Message switching
It does not establish a dedicated path
In telegraph networks the text message is transmitted
from the source telegraph office to the telegraph
switching office.