Guided Transmission Media (Wired Media):

1. Physical Medium: Guided transmission media use physical cables or

wires to transmit data signals. These cables provide a guided path for
signals to travel.
2. Examples: Common examples of guided transmission media include
twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, and optical fiber cables.
3. Advantages:
 More secure: Signals are confined to the physical cable, making it

harder for unauthorized access.

 Better signal integrity: Less susceptible to interference and signal

degradation over long distances.

 Typically higher bandwidth: Can support high-speed data

transmission.
4. Disadvantages:
 Limited mobility: Cables restrict mobility and flexibility.

 Installation and maintenance costs: The cost of laying and

maintaining physical cables can be significant.

 Vulnerable to physical damage: Cables can be cut, crushed, or

damaged.
5. Use Cases: Guided transmission media are commonly used in local area
networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and various data
communication applications where data security and reliability are critical.
 Unguided Transmission Media (Wireless Media):
1. Physical Medium: Unguided transmission media use the air (free space)
as the physical medium for transmitting data signals. Signals travel
through the atmosphere without the need for physical cables.
2. Examples: Common examples of unguided transmission media include
radio waves, microwaves, and infrared signals.
3. Advantages:
 Mobility and flexibility: Ideal for mobile communication devices like

smartphones and laptops.

 Lower installation costs: No need to lay physical cables, which

reduces infrastructure costs.

 Accessibility: Signals can reach remote or challenging-to-wire

locations.
4. Disadvantages:
 Signal interference: Susceptible to interference from other wireless

devices, obstacles, and environmental factors like weather.

 Limited range: Signals may have limited range and coverage

compared to guided media.

 Security concerns: Wireless signals can be intercepted if not properly

secured.
5. Use Cases: Unguided transmission media are commonly used in wireless
networks, cellular communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite
communication, and various mobile and IoT (Internet of Things)
applications.