GUIDED AND UNGUIDED MEDIA IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Guided Media
Guided media refers to the transmission of data through a physical conduit, directing the signal along
a specific path.
TYPES OF GUIDED MEDIA
1. Twisted Pair Cable:
Consists of pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together.
Applications: Telephony, local area networks (LANs).
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Easy to install and maintain.
- Flexible and lightweight.
Cons:
- Limited bandwidth and distance.
- Susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk.
2. Coaxial Cable:A single copper conductor at its center, surrounded by a plastic layer for insulation
and a metallic shield.
Applications: Cable television, broadband internet.
Pros:
- Higher bandwidth than twisted pair.
- Less susceptible to EMI.
Cons:
- Bulkier and less flexible than twisted pair.
- More expensive than twisted pair.
3. Fiber Optic Cable
Uses light to transmit data, consists of a core surrounded by cladding and protective layers.
Applications: Long-distance telecommunication, internet backbone, medical imaging.
Pros:
- Very high bandwidth and long-distance capabilities.
- Immunity to EMI.
- Secure from eavesdropping.
Cons:
- Expensive to install and maintain.
- Requires specialized equipment for splicing and termination.
UNGUIDED MEDIA
Unguided media, or wireless communication, involves transmitting data through the air or space
without a physical conduit.
TYPES OF UNGUIDED MEDIA
1. Radio Waves
Uses frequencies from 3 kHz to 1 GHz to transmit data.
Applications: AM/FM radio, television broadcasts, cellular phones.
-Pros:
- Capable of covering large areas.
- Can penetrate buildings and other obstacles.
-Cons:
- Susceptible to interference and signal degradation.
- Limited bandwidth compared to higher frequency methods.
2. Microwaves
Uses frequencies from 1 GHz to 300 GHz, often requiring line-of-sight transmission.
Applications: Satellite communication, wireless LANs, Bluetooth.
Pros:
- Higher bandwidth and data rates than radio waves.
- Suitable for long-distance point-to-point communication.
Cons:
- Requires unobstructed line-of-sight.
- Affected by weather conditions such as rain.
3. Infrared
Uses light waves with frequencies just below visible light.
Applications: Remote controls, short-range communication between devices (e.g., laptops,
smartphones).
Pros:
- High security as signals do not penetrate walls.
- No interference from radio frequency devices.
Cons:
- Limited to very short distances.
- Requires direct line-of-sight.
4. Satellite
Uses satellites in orbit to transmit data over large distances.
Applications: Global positioning systems (GPS), television broadcasts, international
telecommunication.
Pros:
- Can cover vast geographic areas.
- Useful in remote and rural areas.
Cons:
- High latency due to the long distance signals must travel.
- Expensive to deploy and maintain.
