Types Of Media Transmission
The different types of media transmission can be categorized into two basic groups: guided (or bounded media) and unguided (or unbounded media). The bounded media represent the physical links that transmit information such as fiber optic or coaxial cable. On the other hand, the unbounded types of media transmission transmit information through the air like through towers, cell phone or wi-fi signals. Below is a detailed explanation of the two major types of media transmission.
1. BOUNDED MEDIA
These confirm their signals through a narrow physical path. Also referred to as guided media, the bounded media are made of external conductor (basically copper) which is bounded by a jacket material. Because bounded media offer low cast, good security, and high speed, they are ideal for LABS. But one problem with these types of media transmission is the distance of communication. They may not be ideal in situations that require connections between two units that are too far apart. The following are the types of bounded/guided media transmission.
* Coaxial Cable
* Fiber Optics Cable
* Twisted Pairs Cable
COAXIAL CABLE
These types of cable are very popular and widely used. A very good example of the coaxial cable is the TV wire.
It derives its name because it is made of two parallel conductors that are either stranded martial or solid wire. One of the cables in the center is made up of copper. There is also a non-conductive material outside the main conductor. This non-conductor is made of plastic and is usually white. It plays an important role as it is used in separating the outer conductor and the inner conductor so that they stay separate from each other. The copper conductor is mesh used in protecting the cable from EMI. There is another protective cover which lies after the copper mesh.
Coaxial cables have their different types and they vary based on their impedance and gauge. The gauge measures the thickness of the cable and is measured using the RG (radio grade ) measurement. The lower the RG number the bigger the core, and the higher the number smaller the core conductor will look.
Features Of Coaxial Cable
* Easy to install
* Low cost
* Medium immunity from EMI
* Medium of attenuation
* Up to 10Mbps capacity
Advantages Of Coaxial Cable
* Easy to expand
* Easy to wire
* Inexpensive
* Moderate level of immunity to EMI
Drawbacks of coaxial cable
* The failure of a single cable can lead to overall failure of the entire network
2. UNBOUNDED OR UNGUIDED TYPES OF MEDIA TRANSMISSION
The unbounded media transmission doesn’t have any physical link between their information units. Air is the major carrier of this type of communication and it has its advantages too. They function without wires unlike the guided types of media transmission. They are most frequently used in situations where distance blocks or physical obstruction prevents the proper functioning of the guided media. Unguided media is equally better when linking units that are two far away from each other. Examples of these types of media transmission include infrared waves, micro waves, and radio waves.
