3.

Transmission Media in Computer Networks

- Transmission media is the communication channel through which data is
transmitted from the sender (transmitter) to the receiver in a computer
network.
- It acts as a medium for carrying electromagnetic signals that represent digital
data in the form of bits.
Transmission media can be broadly classified into:
1. Guided (Wired) Transmission Media – Uses physical cables for data
transmission.
2. Unguided (Wireless) Transmission Media – Uses electromagnetic waves
for data transmission.
1. Guided (Wired) Transmission Media

Guided transmission media involves physical cabling that directs signals along a specific path. These
media types are commonly used in LAN (Local Area Networks) and other wired communication
systems.

(a) Twisted Pair Cable

Twisted pair cables consist of two insulated copper wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic
interference and crosstalk.

Types of Twisted Pair Cable:

1. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

o Most commonly used in Ethernet networks.

o Does not have additional shielding, making it cost-effective.

o Susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI).

o Used in telephone lines, LANs, and DSL connections.

2. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

o Contains an extra layer of shielding to reduce interference.

o More expensive than UTP.

o Used in industrial networks with high interference.

Advantages of Twisted Pair Cables:

Cost-effective and easy to install.

Suitable for short- to medium-range communication.
UTP cables are widely used in networking applications.

Disadvantages:

Limited bandwidth compared to fiber optics.

More prone to signal attenuation and interference over long distance.
(b) Coaxial Cable
A coaxial cable consists of a central copper conductor surrounded by an insulating layer, a metallic
shield, and an outer plastic covering. It is widely used for cable TV and broadband internet
connections.

Types of Coaxial Cable:

1. RG-6 – Used for cable television and satellite communication.

2. RG-59 – Used for short-distance video transmission.

3. RG-11 – Used for long-distance data transmission.

Advantages of Coaxial Cables:

Higher bandwidth than twisted pair cables.

More resistant to electromagnetic interference.
Supports longer-distance communication.

Disadvantages:

More expensive and difficult to install than twisted pair cables.

Bulky and not as flexible for complex networking setups.

(c) Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic cables transmit data as light signals, providing extremely high-speed and long-distance
communication. They are made of glass or plastic fibers and are widely used for high-speed internet,
telecommunication networks, and data centers.
Advantages of Fiber Optic Cables:

Extremely high bandwidth and data transmission speed.

Immune to electromagnetic interference.
Supports long-distance communication with minimal signal loss.

Disadvantages:

More expensive than copper cables.

Difficult to install and repair.

Unguided Transmission Media

- Unguided transmission media, also known as unbounded or wireless media,
transmits electromagnetic signals without using a physical medium.
- Instead of cables, data is transmitted through the air, using radio waves, microwaves,
or infrared signals.
- Since there is no physical connection between the transmitter and receiver, wireless
transmission is flexible, cost-effective, and suitable for long distances.-
- However, it is less secure than guided media, as signals can be intercepted or
affected by interference.
- There are three main types of wireless transmission media:
1. Radio Waves
- Radio waves are widely used for wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile
networks, and broadcasting systems (AM/FM radio and TV signals).

- These waves have a long wavelength and can travel through walls and obstacles.

Characteristics of Radio Waves:

Can travel long distances (up to thousands of kilometers).

No direct line-of-sight is required.
Lower frequency range (3 kHz to 1 GHz).

Uses of Radio Waves:

Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN)

Mobile Communication (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G)
Radio and TV Broadcasting
Bluetooth Devices

Advantages:

Can penetrate walls and buildings.

Supports mobility (used in mobile networks).
Cost-effective for large-area communication.

Disadvantages:
 Prone to interference from other wireless devices.
Security risks (signals can be intercepted).
Limited bandwidth compared to fiber optics.

2. Microwaves
Microwaves are high-frequency waves used for long-distance communication in satellite networks,
TV broadcasting, and point-to-point communication systems.

Characteristics of Microwaves:

High-frequency range (1 GHz to 300 GHz).

Requires a direct line-of-sight (signals do not bend around obstacles).
Used for long-distance, high-speed data transfer.

Types of Microwaves:

1. Terrestrial Microwaves – Uses parabolic dish antennas for point-to-point communication

(e.g., telephone networks, TV broadcasting).

2. Satellite Microwaves – Uses satellites to relay signals across very long distances (e.g., GPS,
weather forecasting, satellite TV).

Uses of Microwaves:

Satellite Communication (GPS, TV, Internet)

Long-Distance Telephone Networks
Cable TV Distribution

Advantages:

High-speed data transmission.

Supports long-distance communication.
Suitable for satellite communication.

Disadvantages:
 Requires a clear line-of-sight (signals blocked by buildings and mountains).
Affected by weather conditions (rain, fog, and storms can weaken signals).
Expensive infrastructure (satellites and antennas require high investment).

3. Infrared (IR) Transmission

- Infrared transmission uses light waves to transfer data between devices.

- It is mainly used for short-range communication.

Characteristics of Infrared:

Operates at a very high frequency (above 300 GHz).

Requires direct line-of-sight between sender and receiver.
Limited range (a few meters).

Uses of Infrared:

Remote Controls (TV, AC, DVD players)

Wireless Keyboards and Mouse
Data Transfer between mobile devices

Advantages:

Secure communication (does not pass through walls).

Low power consumption.
No interference from radio signals.

Disadvantages:

Short-range only (limited to a few meters).

Line-of-sight needed (cannot transmit through obstacles).
Affected by sunlight and bright light sources.