Computer Communication &

Networks

Lecture 8
Physical Layer: Transmission Media
http://web.uettaxila.edu.pk/CMS/coeCCNbsSp09/index.asp

Waleed Ejaz
waleed.ejaz@uettaxila.edu.pk 1
Physical Layer

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Physical Layer Topics to Cover

Signals
Digital Transmission
Analog Transmission
Multiplexing
Transmission Media

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Transmission Medium and Physical Layer

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Twisted-pair Cable

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Categories of unshielded twisted-pair cables

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Twisted Pair Cable

(a) Category 3 UTP

(b) Category 5 UTP

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UTP connector

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Twisted Pair Cables (Example)

 ADSL
 Ethernet networks
- 10BASE-T
- 100BASE-TX
- 1000BASE-T
- 1000BASE-TX (Cat5e (enhanced))

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UTP Performance

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Twisted Pair Cable (Pros & Cons)
Pros:
 easy to understand
 mass production - low cost
 most widely used medium

Cons:
 prone to electromagnetic interference
 in power plants, airport buildings, military
facilities, cars…
Note:
In-building networks at our university are almost all
twisted pair

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Coaxial cable

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BNC connectors

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Performance Coaxial Cable

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Bending of light ray

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Optical fiber

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Propagation Modes

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Modes

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Fiber types

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Fiber construction

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Fiber-optic Cable Connectors

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Performance Optical Fiber

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Optical Fiber (Pros & Cons)

Pros:
 Low attenuation

 Large bandwidth

Cons:
 Relatively “new” technology

 “Expensive”

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Comparing optical fiber to UTP
Pros:
 Immune to electro-magnetic interference

 no crosstalk
 Reduced need for error detection and correction
 Enables longer link distances
 Attenuation unaffected by transmission rate
 Easier network upgrade
 Can combine different services: telephony, TV, internet…

Cons:
 Optical components have higher cost

 Expensive deploying protocols

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Unguided Media: Wireless

 Unguided media transport electromagnetic

waves without using a physical conductor.
This type of communication is often referred
to as wireless communication.

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Wireless

 Modern wireless digital communication began in the Hawaiian

Islands
 What is “the best” frequency to use for communication?

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Propagation Methods

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Bands

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Wireless Transmission Waves

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Omni directional Antenna

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Note

Radio waves are used for multicast

communications, such as radio and
television, and paging systems.

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Unidirectional Antennas

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Note

Microwaves are used for unicast

communication such as cellular
telephones, satellite networks,
and wireless LANs.

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Note

Infrared signals can be used for short-

range communication in a closed area
using line-of-sight propagation.

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Readings
 Chapter 7 (B.A Forouzan)
 Section 7.1, 7.2

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