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.