Transmission Media

1
Transmission Media

• Chapter 5

2
Transmission Media

• The transmission medium is the physical path
  between the transmitter and receiver in a data
  transmission system.
• The nature of both the signal and of the medium
  determines the quality of transmission.
• The media can be divided into two categories
• Guided media.
• Unguided media

3
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
102
1016
1015
1014
1013
1012
1011
1010
109
108
107
106
105
104
103
Twisted Pair
PBX
Coaxial Cable
FM
AM
Terrestrial Microwave
Optical Fiber
Satellite
4
Guided MediaTwisted Pair

• Insulated copper wires in spiral pattern.
• Most common transmission medium for both analog
  and digital transmission.
• Attenuation.

5
Guided MediaCoaxial Cable

• Hollow outer cylindrical conductor which
  surrounds a single inner wire conductor.
• Most versatile transmission medium.
• LANs, Long distance telephone and television
  transmission, TV distribution.
• Thin/Thick Ethernet.

6
Guided MediaOptical Fiber

• Thin, flexible medium capable of conducting an
  optical ray.
• No electronic interference.
• Expensive, great bandwidth, long range.
• Future !!

7
Unguided Media

• Terrestrial Microwave.
• Satellite Microwave.
• Radio.
• Infra Red.