CEA 101 – Week 14 – Types of Transmission Media
1. What is transmission media?
Transmission medium is a channel through which data or signals can be transmitted from sender
to receiver. Data is transmitted through the electromagnetic signals. Transmission media are also
called communication channels.
2. What are the two types of transmission media? Define each and give and define
examples.
The two types of transmission media are Guided media or bounded or wired media and
Unguided media.
a. Guided Media – it is a wired transmission media, in which data signals are guided along a
physical path i.e., within a wire. Also known as Bounded or wired media. Examples are
Twisted Pair Cable, Coaxial cable and fiber optic cable.
Twisted Pair Cable
A pair of wires which are made of sopper and are twisted with each other is known as
twisted pair cable. A set of four pairs of twisted wires are bundled to form cable. The wires
are twisted to reduce cross talk and electrical interference. It was invented by Alexander
Graham Bell in 1881. Its types are: Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable (UTP) and Shielded
Twisted Pair Cable (STP).
Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable (UTP)
The unshielded twisted pair cable is a Guided Transmission Media, which is used
for transmitting both data and voice. It consists of 4 pairs of color-coded wires twisted
around each other. The wires are twisted to prevent electromagnetic interference (cross
talk). Cat 5 cable with RJ-45 connector is commonly used with unshielded twisted pair.
Shielded Twisted Pair Cable (STP)
The shielded twisted pair cable is a Guided Transmission Media, which is quite
expensive than unshielded twisted pair cable. It has a foil shield that covers the wires.
The foil shield adds a layer of protection against electro-magnetic interference leaking
into and out of the cable. Shielded Twisted Pair Cable are more expensive than
Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable, but less susceptible to noise.
Co-axial Cable
A cable which is used with single ended single reference where the central conductor
carries the data signal is called co-axial cable. The connectors used with co-axial cables are
BNC, T-connectors and terminators in bus topology. 10 Mbps is the maximum speed of co-
axial cable. Coaxial cable is used in cable television. It is preferred for long distance
telephone lines as well. Types are baseband and broadband.
Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber optics cable is one of the costlier cables used in data communication which uses
light to carry a data signal through the cable. The connectors used in fiber optics are Screw
Mounted Adaptors (SMA), Spring-loaded Twist (ST), SC and FC. It is costlier to maintain,
produce and install. Fiber-optic cable do not get affected by electromagnetic interference.
Works for both analog as well as digital signals. Point to point one way communication
generally uses the cable.
b. Unguided Media- unbounded media are wireless media that does not require any physical
medium to transmit electromagnetic signals. The electromagnetic signals are broadcasted
through air to everyone instead of cables. Examples are radio waves, micro waves and
infrared waves.
Radio Wave
It is a form of wireless communications in which signals are sent through radio frequency
waves. It provides low bandwidth for data communication. The radio waves are generated
easily; they are low-frequency signals and can travel a long distance. The radio waves can
penetrate through the buildings. Frequency Range: 3KHz - 1GHz. AM and FM radios and
cordless phones use Radio waves for transmission.
Microwave
It is a form of wireless communication in which data signals are sent through pulses of
electromagnetic energy. The microwave has a frequency higher than the radio waves. The
microwaves are transmitted in a straight line and hence require the line-of-sight transmission.
More the taller are antennas longer is the distance covered by the signal. Frequency Range:
1GHz - 300GHz. Microwave are used for telephone communication, mobile phones,
television distribution, etc.
Infrared
Infrared waves are used for short range communication. Like, the remote control for
televisions, VCRs, wireless mouse, keyboard, printer, etc. uses infrared waves. It cannot
penetrate (enter) through obstacles. Frequency Range: 300GHz - 400THz.
