Transmission Media

Data Communications and Computer Networks

Revised 2019-08-12
Outline
• Guided media
◦ Copper
◦ Optical fiber
• Unguided media

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Physical Layer
from Data Link to Data Link

Frame Frame

01001011 01001011
(bits)
Transmission medium

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Classes of Transmission Media

4
Guided Media: Copper
Media
Twisted-Pair Cable

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UTP and STP Cables

UTP – Unshielded Twisted Pair STP –Shielded Twisted Pair

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Categories of UTP/STP Cables

Category Bandwidth Digital/Analog Use

1 very low Analog Telephone

2 < 2 MHz Analog/digital 4Mbps token ring
3 16 MHz Digital 10-100 Mbps Ethernet
4 20 MHz Digital 16 Mbps token ring
5 100 MHz Digital 100 – 1000 Mbps Ethernet
5E 100 MHz Digital 100 – 1000 Mbps Ethernet
6 250 MHz Digital 1 – 10 Gbps Ethernet
6A 500 MHz Digital 1 – 10 Gbps Ethernet
7 600 MHz Digital 10 Gbps Ethernet
7A 1000 MHz Digital 40-100 Gbps Ethernet

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UTP Connectors

RJ – Registered Jack

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Coaxial Cable

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Categories of Coaxial Cables

RG – Radio Guide

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BNC Connectors
• Bayonet Network Connector
◦ aka. Bayonet Neil-Concelman
• Used with coaxial cables

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 UTP and Coaxial
Performance

www.ti.com/lit/an/sboa123/sboa123.pdf 13
Guided Media: Optical
Media
Optical Fiber
• Based on physics of light

Image from Wikipedia

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Optical Fiber

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Propagation Modes
Multi-mode,
step index

Multi-mode,
graded index

Single-mode

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Fiber Types

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Fiber Construction

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Fiber-Optic Cable Connectors

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Optical Fiber Performance

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Unguided Media
Unguided Media: Wireless
• Transport electromagnetic waves without using a physical
conductor
◦ Radio Waves
◦ Microwaves
◦ Infrared
• Often referred to as wireless communication

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Electromagnetic Spectrum

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Propagation Methods

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Bands

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Antennas

Omni-directional Antenna Unidirectional Antennas

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Wireless Transmission Waves

used for multicast/broadcast used for unicast communication used for short-range
communications, such as radio and such as cellular telephones, communication in a closed
television satellite networks, area using line-of-sight
and wireless LANs propagation

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Summary
• Guided media serve as conduits for signals to propagate
• Copper media carry electrical signals
• Optical fibers carry optical signals
• Unguided media allow signals to propagate without any
cable

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