Transmission Media

Question 1

What is transmission Media

Answer 1

Transmission media refer to the various physical pathways through which data is transmitted from one device to another in a network.

Question 2

Twisted Pair Cable

Answer 2

Insulated copper wires twisted together

Types:
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): Commonly used in telephone systems and Ethernet networks.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): Has additional shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Advantages : Inexpensive, easy to install and maintain

Disadvantages : Susceptible to EMI and crosstalk, limited bandwidth

Question 3

Coaxial Cable

Answer 3

Description: Consists of a central conductor surrounded by an insulating layer, a metallic shield, and an outer insulating layer.

Characteristics:
Transmission Speed: Up to 10 Gbps.
Distance: Several kilometers without signal repeaters.

Advantages:
Better shielding and less interference than twisted pair cables.
Higher bandwidth and data rates.

Disadvantages:
More expensive and bulky than twisted pair cables.
More difficult to install and maintain.

Question 4

Fiber Optic Cable

Answer 4

Description: Uses light to transmit data through a core of glass or plastic fibers, surrounded by cladding and protective layers

Advantages:
Extremely high bandwidth and data rates.
Immune to electromagnetic interference.
Long-distance capabilities.

Disadvantages:
Expensive to install and maintain.
Requires specialized equipment and skills.

Types:
Single-mode Fiber: For long-distance communication, uses a single light path.

Multi-mode Fiber: For shorter distances, uses multiple light paths.

Question 5

Radio Waves

Answer 5

Description: Electromagnetic waves with frequencies from 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
Usage: Broadcasting, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks.

Characteristics:
Transmission Speed: Varies by application (e.g., Wi-Fi up to 10 Gbps, cellular up to 1 Gbps).
Distance: Varies (Wi-Fi up to 100 meters, cellular networks several kilometers).

Advantages:
Wireless and mobile communication.
Easy to install and extend coverage.

Disadvantages:
Susceptible to interference and eavesdropping.
Limited bandwidth compared to wired media.

Question 6

Microwaves

Answer 6

Description: Electromagnetic waves with frequencies from 1 GHz to 300 GHz.
Usage: Point-to-point communication, satellite communication, radar.
Characteristics:

Advantages:
High bandwidth and data rates.
Long-distance communication with satellites.

Disadvantages:
Line-of-sight communication required.
Affected by weather conditions like rain and fog.