GHANA COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
PRESENTATION ON TRANSMISSION MEDIA FOR
COMMUNICATION NETWORKS & INTRODUCTION TO MPLS

GROUP 7 :
1. ABASSAH ANTHONY OKULEDER - 4112200302
2. TETTEH FRANK - 4111220011
3. TANNOR REGINALD ERASMUS - 4111231035
15th June 2024.

Dr Solomon Nsor-Anabiah - Lecturer ENTE 322 – COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

 OUTLINE

• OVERVIEW
• TYPES OF TRANSMISSION MEDIUM
• GUIDED TRANSMISSION MEDIA
• UNGUIDED TRANSMISSION MEDIA
• MPLS Technology
• MPLS Advantages
• MPLS Limitations
 TRANSMISSION MEDIA FOR COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Communication Network
Definition:
Refers to the process of exchanging information between different devices or systems in the form of text,
graphic, sound, or moving pictures from one place to another.

Transmission Media:
Refers to the physical pathways through which data is transmitted from one device to another within a
network.
Wired: Twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, Fiber optics.
Wireless: Radio waves, microwaves.

Transmission:
Refers to the process of sending and receiving data between two or more devices connected to a network.
Involves the use of transmission media, which can be wired or wireless, to transport information in the
form of bits over a Local Area Network (LAN).
 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING TRANSMISSION LINE

• Attenuation. The reduction in signal strength as it travels through

the medium.
• Installation and Maintenance. Media that are easier to install and
maintain can reduce long-term costs and downtime.
• Cost. The total expense associated with the deployment, including
installation, maintenance, and operational costs.
• Distance. The maximum length over which data can be effectively
transmitted.
• Bandwidth. The capacity of the medium to carry data. Higher
bandwidth allows for higher data rates. Consider the application's need for
speed and volume of data transfer.
 BASIC TYPES OF TRANSMISSION MEDIA
1.Twisted Pair Cable:
Two insulated copper wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).

2.Coaxial Cable:
Inner conductor shielded by a tubular outer conductor with insulation in between.
Used for television signal distribution and internet connections; transmits high-frequency signals over
long distances.

3.Fiber-Optic Cable:
Multiple thin strands of glass or plastic fibres using light pulses to carry data.
High-speed data transmission over long distances with minimal attenuation or interference.

4.Submarine Cable:
Undersea cables used for international data transmission.
 Twisted Pair Cable:

Two insulated copper wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic

interference (EMI) and improve signal quality.
Application :
• Local Area Networks (LANs): Commonly used in Ethernet cabling (e.g.,
Cat5, Cat6 cables).
• Telephone Networks: Used for voice and data transmission.
 Coaxial Cable

APPLICATION
1.Telephone Networks:
•Coaxial cables are used to carry voice signals in telephone networks, ensuring reliable and high-
quality voice transmission.
2.Broadband Access:
•Coaxial cables provide high-speed internet connections by transmitting broadband signals.
3.Data Transmission:
•Coaxial cables are used for data transmission in local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks
(WANs), ensuring high-speed and reliable data transfer
4.Cable Television:
•Coaxial cables are used to distribute television signals, providing high-quality video and audio
transmission over long distances.
 Basic Fibre Optic Cable

 Fiber optic cables are made up of thin strands of glass or plastic that
can carry digital information over long distances using light

 These cables are designed to transmit data at very high speeds with
minimal interference. The core of a fiber optic cable is where the light
travels, surrounded by a cladding layer that reflects the light back into
the core, allowing it to travel effectively.
 Components of fiber optic cable

A fibre optic cable consists of five components and these are

1-The core This is the thin glass centre of the cable where light travels.
2-Cladding The outer optical material surrounding the core that reflects the
light back into the core.
3-Buffer Coating This is a plastic coating that protects the fibre from
damage and moisture.
4-The strengthening Fibers Materials such as Kevlar to reinforce and
protect the fibre bundle
5- cable jacket This is the overall protection outer layer of the cable .
 LIGHT SOURCES OF FIBER OPTIC CABLE
 LEDs( Light emitting Diodes) ; used in short distance transmission,
they are less expensive and not as powerful or efficient.

 LASERS; these are used for long distance and high bandwidth
transmission, they provide a more focused light source which allows for
faster data rates .
 HOW FIBER OPTIC TRANSMISSION WORKS
 Fiber optic transmission works by converting electrical signals into light signals,
which are then sent through the fiber optic cable . Here’s a simplified breakdown of
the process:
 1-Data encoding: An electronic device , like a computer covert data into electrical
signals .
 2- Light Conversion: These electrical signals are then converted into light signals
by a light source, such as a laser or LED .
 3- Light Transmission : The light travels through the fiber optic cable via total
internal reflection.
 4- Receiving end : At the end of the fibre , a photodetector coverts the light signals
back into the electrical signal .
 5- Data Decoding - These electrical signals are then converted back into data by the
receiving electron device . This process allows for high speed and long distance
data transmission with the minimal loss and interference.
 Advantages of Optical Fiber
 -High Bandwidth: Fiber optic cable have a much greater
bandwidth than metal cables , which means they can carry more
data .
 -Faster speed : light can travel at higher speeds than electrical
signal in metal wires , enabling faster data transmission.
 -Longer Distance: signals in fiber optic cables can travel longer
distances without needing amplification.
 -Less signal Loss
 -Better security
 -Immunity to Electro Magnetic interference: Fiber optics do not
suffer from electromagnetic interference, which can be a problem
with metal cables .
 DISADVANTAGES OF OPTICAL FIBRE

 Much more costly than other cable to install

 Relatively difficult to install
 Susceptible to physical & wildlife damage
 Physical vibration will show up as signal noise Though fiber
optic cables have very little disadvantages, these can
immediately and adversely affect consumers choice to install
this technology.
 Application of Fiber optics
Optical Fiber has wide range of applications due to its advantages, some of
the main applications include:
 Telecommunications: Fiber optic is used for internet , telephone and
cable television systems.
 Medical : used in imaging tooling and also in light guid , lasers for
surgery and biomedical sensors.
 Military and space: for security communications and navigation.
 Networking ; connecting users to the internet and for internal network
infrastructure within organizations.
 SATELLITE TRANSMISSION MEDIUM
These are artificial space craft's intentionally placed into orbit around planets, moons or
stars .
 Man-made satellites are used for various purposes, such as:
 Communications: To relay telecommunication signals across the globe.
 Weather Monitoring: To observe weather patterns and provide meteorological data.

 Navigation: To provide GPS (Global Positioning System) services for accurate

location and timing information.
 Research: For scientific investigation of space, other celestial bodies, and Earth's
atmosphere.
 Earth Observation: To monitor environmental changes, land use, and resources.
These satellites can be in different types of orbits and serve various functions based on
their design and the instruments they carry.
 Definitions and terminology of Satellite
•Satellite Definition: an artificial body placed in orbit round the earth or moon or another planet in order to collect
information or for communication.
•Repeater Function:
•Increases strength of received signal and transmits it.
•Acts as a transponder, changing the frequency band of the transmitted signal.
•Frequencies:
•Uplink Frequency: Signal sent from the first earth station to the satellite.
•Downlink Frequency: Signal sent from the satellite to the second earth station.
•Communication Process:
•Uplink: Earth station transmits high-frequency signals to the satellite.
•Satellite: Receives, converts, and retransmits signals.
•Downlink: Satellite sends converted signal to another earth station.
•Earth Stations:
•Installations designed to transmit and receive satellite signals.
•Use high-powered, high-frequency signals in the GHz range.
•Satellite Footprint:
•The coverage area on Earth that receives useful strength signals from the satellite.
 How a Satellite Works: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Earth Station Transmission (Uplink)
High-frequency, high-power signals are sent to the satellite via the Earth station.

Step 2: Satellite Reception

The earth station sends the uplink signal to the satellite.

Step 3: Conversion of Frequency

The uplink signal is altered by the satellite transponder to a new frequency (downlink
frequency).

•Step
. 4: Downlink (Satellite) Transmission
The modified signal is sent back to another earth station via satellite.

Step 5: Second Earth Station reception

The downlink signal from the satellite is received by the second ground station.

Step 6: Line of Communication

The uplink and downlink processes can be repeated by the second earth station by
sending signals back to the first earth station.
 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES;
 Area of coverage is more than that of terrestrial systems
 Each and every corner of the earth can be covered
 Transmission cost is independent of coverage area
 More bandwidth and broadcasting possibilities
DISADVANTAGES;
 Launching of satellites into orbits is a costly process.
 Propagation delay of satellite systems is more than that of conventional terrestrial
systems.
 Difficult to provide repairing activities if any problem occurs in a satellite
system.
 Free space loss is more
 There can be congestion of frequencies.
 INTRODUCTION TO MPLS CHAPTER 9

What is MPLS?
• Definition: Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
is a data-carrying technique for high-performance
telecommunications networks.
• Purpose: It directs data from one network node to
the next based on short path labels rather than long
network addresses.
 MPLS

 An MPLS network uses path labels instead of

network addressing to direct traffic.
 These labels include information about which label
switched path should be used to make sure a packet
gets to where it's supposed to go.
 HISTORY OF MPLS

 1997: The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) formed the

MPLS working group to address internet traffic routing issues.
 Purpose: MPLS was developed as an alternative to multilayer
switching.
 Function: MPLS routers improve network traffic speed by not
looking up routes in routing tables.
 Early 2000s: MPLS techniques were developed and widely
adopted in the early 2000s.
 MPLS TECHNOLOGY
 Label Switching: Data packets are assigned labels.
 Path Determination: Pre-determined paths (Label
Switched Paths - LSPs) for data to travel through the
network.
 Layer 2.5 Technology: Operates between the Data
Link Layer (Layer 2) and Network Layer (Layer 3).
 How MPLS Works
 Label Edge Routers (LERs): Add and remove labels.
 Label Switch Routers (LSRs): Forward packets based on
labels.
 Traffic Engineering: Efficiently routes traffic to avoid
congestion.
 MPLS ADVANTAGES
 Speed: Faster packet forwarding due to label-based routing.
 Scalability: Efficient management of large-scale networks.
 Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritizes traffic for critical applications.
 Reliability: Reroute traffic quickly in case of a failure, ensuring high
availability and reliability of network services.
 Traffic Engineering: Allows for optimized use of network
resources.
 Flexibility: Supports multiple protocols and service types.
 Reduced Congestion: Balances traffic loads across the network.
 MPLS LIMITATION
 Cost: Higher implementation and operational costs compared to
traditional IP routing.
 Complexity: Requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
 Latency: Possible added latency due to label switching processes.
 Security: While MPLS is generally secure, it is not inherently
encrypted.
 Migration Challenges: Transitioning from traditional networks to
MPLS can be complex.
 CONCLUSION

Summary: MPLS technology offers numerous

advantages in terms of speed, scalability, and
QoS, but also comes with limitations such as
cost and complexity.
Future Trends: Ongoing advancements aim to
address current limitations and enhance MPLS
capabilities.
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
TIME