Types of Transmission Media In Computer Network

Jaya Sharma
Senio r Executive Co ntent

Updated on Jun 22, 2023 17:51 IST

There are two main types of transmission media in computer networks. These are
guided and unguided media. While guided media requires physical medium, unguided
media requires air for communication.

In this article, we will be discussing what is transmission media and its types in detail.
We will try to understand the functionalities and advantages of this communication
channel.

Tables of Cont ent

What is transmission media in computer network?

What are the dif f erent types of transmission media?

Pros and Cons of transmission medium

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 Factors to consider while designing transmission media

Applications of T ransmission media

What is Transmission Media in Computer Network?

Transmission media is a communication channel that transmits information from the

source/transmitter to the receiver. It is a physical path for data transfer through
electromagnetic signals. Information is carried over in the form of bits through LAN. It
can mediate the propagation of signals for telecommunication. Signals are imposed
on a wave that is suitable for the chosen medium. These media lie underneath the
physical layer that regulates them. While designing a transmission, it is important to
keep the following pointers in mind:
T he bandwidth should be greater since it will result in a higher data transmission rate of a
signal.

Noise should be less. Otherwise, data signal can be distorted.

What are the Types of Transmission Media in Computer Networks?

If you are wondering how many types of transmission media are there, then do take
a look at this section. Broadly, there are two types of transmission media in computer

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networks including guided and unguided media. These two types of transmission
medium in computer networks have further subtypes. Let us discuss these in detail.

1. Guided Transmission Media

Guided media are also known as wired or bounded media. These media consist of
wires through which the data is transferred. Guided media is a physical link between
transmitter and recipient devices. Signals are directed in a narrow pathway using
physical links. These media types are used for shorter distances since physical
limitation limits the signal that flows through these transmission media.

1.1 Twist ed Pair Cable

In this type of transmission media, two insulated conductors of a single circuit are
twisted together to improve electromagnetic compatibility. These are the most
widely used transmission medium cables. These are packed together in protective
sheaths. They reduce electromagnetic radiation from pairs and crosstalk between
the neighboring pair. Overall, it improves the rejection of external electromagnetic
interference. These are further subdivided into unshielded and shielded twisted pair
cables.

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1.1.1 Unshielded T wisted Pair Cable(UT P): These consist of two insulated copper
wires that are coiled around one another. These types of transmission media block
interference without depending on any physical shield. The unshielded twisted pair
are very affordable and are simple to set up. These provide a high-speed link.

1.1.2 Shielded T wisted Pair (ST P): This twisted cable consisted of a foil shield to
block external interference. The insulation within these types of the twisted cable
allow greater data transmission rate. These are used in fast-data-rate Ethernet and
in data and voice channels of telephone lines.

1. 2 Opt ical Fibre Cable

Also known as fiber optic cable, these are thin strands of glass that guide light along

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their length. These contain multiple optical fibers and are very often used for long-
distance communications. Compared to other materials, these cables can carry huge
amounts of data and run for miles without using signal repeaters. Due to lesser
requirements, they have less maintenance costs and it improves the reliability of the
communication system. These can be unidirectional as well as bidirectional in
nature.

1.3 Coaxial cable

These guided transmission media contain an insulation layer that transmits

information in baseband mode and broadband mode. Coaxial cables are made of
PVC/Teflon and two parallel conductors that are separately insulated. Such cables
carry high frequency electrical signals without any big loss. The dimension of cable
and connectors are controlled to give them constant conductor spacing for efficient
functioning as a transmission line.

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1.4 St ripline

This is a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) transmission media that is built on the

inner layers of multi-layer printed circuit boards. These are used in high or low-level
RF signals that require isolation from surrounding circuitry. It is a type of printed
circuit transmission line in which a signal trace is sandwiched between the upper and
lower ground place. Stripline minimizes emissions electromagnetic radiation is
completely enclosed within homogeneous dielectric. Along with the reduced
emissions, it also shields against incoming spurious signals.

1.5 Microst ripline

While Microstripline is simiar to stripline, it is not sandwiched and are present above
the ground plane. These can be fabricated with any technology where the
conductor is separated from the ground plane by a dielectric layer called subtrated.
These transmission media convert microwave frequency signals.. Microstrip is also
used for building microwave components such as couplers, filters, power dividers,

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antennas, etc. In comparison with the traditional waveguide technology, it is less
expensive.

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Dif f erence Bet ween Hub and Swit ch

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2. Unguided Transmission Media

Also known as unbounded or wireless media, they help in transmitting

electromagnetic signals without using a physical medium. Here, air is the medium.
There is no physical connectivity between transmitter and receiver. These types of
transmission media are used for longer distances however they are less secure than
guided media. There are three main types of wireless transmission media.

Learn more about wireless networking

2.1 Radio Waves

Radio waves are transmitted in every direction throughout free space. Since these
are omnidirectional, sent waves can be received by any antenna. These waves are
useful when the data is to multicasted from one sender to multiple receivers. Radio

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waves can cover large areas and even penetrate obstacles such as buildings and
walls. The frequency of these waves ranges between 3 kHz to 1GHz. Due to its
omnidirectional nature, issues such as interference might arise when another signal
with the same bandwidth or frequency is sent.

2.2 Inf rared

These waves are useful for only very short distance communication. Unlike radio
waves, they do not have the ability to penetrate barriers. Their range varies between
300GHz – 400THz. Since they have larger bandwidth, the data rate is very high for
infrared waves. These have less interference and are more secure.

2.3 Microwaves

For these waves, it is important for the transmitter and receiver antenna to be
aligned. This is why it is known as line-of-sight transmission. Due to this, they are
suitable for shorter distances. They comprise of electromagnetic waves with
frequencies ranging between 1-400 GHz. Microwaves provide bandwidth between
the range of 1 to 10 Mbps. Distance covered by the signal is proportional to the
height of the antenna. For travelling to longer distances, the height of the tower
should be increased. These are further sub categorized as terrestrial and satellite
type microwave transmission.

2.3.1 T errestrial type microwave transmission: In this type, high directional antennas
are used for line of sight propagation paths that use frequency between 4-12 GHz.
These are parabolic antennas having diameters that range from 12 inches to feet
depending on their spacing.

2.3.2 Satellite type microwave transmission: Signals are transmitted to those spaces
where satellites are positioned and they retransmit the signal to appropriate
locations. Since they only receive and retransmit the signal, they act as repeaters. It
is a much more flexible and reliable method of communication in comparison with
cables and fiber systems.

Pros and Cons of Transmission Media in Comput er Net works

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The following table summarises the advantages and disadvantages of transmission
media:

T ype Advantages Disadvantages

Attenuation leads to short-

Less expensive,
Unshielded distance communication,
Easy to install,
T wisted Pair Susceptible to external
High speed
interf erence

Shielded Reduced crosstalk, Bulky and expensive,

T wisted Pair Faster than UT P Dif f icult to install

Optical Fibre Increased bandwidth,

High-cost, Fragile
Cable Immunity to interf erence

High bandwidth, Complete disruption due to

Coaxial Cable
Noise immunity single cable f ailure

Better isolation, Complex troubleshooting,

Stripline
Less loss of radiation Expensive

Easy interconnection and adjustments,

Microstripline Major f abrication advantage over Only f or a short distance
stripline due to its open structure

Easy to generate,
Radio More interf erence
Can penetrate obstacles

Infrared Less interf erence Cannot penetrate obstacles

Considerable Fact ors While Designing Transmission Media

While designing transmission medium in computer networks, it is important to

consider the following factors:
Greater bandwidth of the transmission medium allows higher data transmission rate of
signal.

Due to transmission impairment, the received signal may get destroyed since it does not
seem identical to the transmitted signal.

Applicat ions of Transmission Media in Comput er Net works

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 T ype Uses

Unshielded T wisted Pair T elephonic applications

Shielded T wisted Pair Fast data rate ethernet

Optical Fibre Cable For transf erring large volume of data

Coaxial Cable Cable T Vs, Analog T V

Stripline Solid-state microwave systems

Microstripline Solid-state microwave systems

Radio Cordless phones, AM/FM radios

Infrared Wireless mouse, printers, keyboards

Microwave Mobile phones, televisions

Conclusion

We hope that you have now learned about the types of transmission in computer
networks. Based on the data rate and distance between the transmitter and
receiver, a suitable transmission media can be selected. One can also select the
transmission type based on whether they require a physical medium or not.

FAQs

How does coaxial cable dif f er f rom twisted pair cable?

What are the main advantages of wireless transmission?

What are the disadvantages of wireless transmission?

What makes f iber optic cables suitable f or long-distance communication?

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Can dif f erent types of transmission media be used together in a network?

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