Wireless Media

Wireless media refers to the transmission of data, information, or signals using electromagnetic
waves without the need for physical cables or wires. This includes technologies such as Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), and infrared, which enable communication
between devices over short or long distances without a direct physical connection.

Wired Media

Wired media refers to the transmission of data, information, or signals through physical cables or
wires. This includes various types of cables such as Ethernet cables, coaxial cables, and fibre
optic cables. Wired media provide reliable and high-speed communication between devices by
transmitting electrical or optical signals over the physical connections. These connections offer
stability, security, and consistent data transfer rates, making them suitable for applications where
reliability and performance are paramount.

Wireless Media Vs. Wired Media

● Wired media requires physical cables or wires to transfer data, while wireless media
transmits data using electromagnetic waves without the need for physical connections.
● ⁠Wired media offers enhanced security since intercepting data without physical access to
the cable is challenging. Conversely, wireless media can be prone to interference from
other electronic devices.
● Wired media guarantees faster data transfer rates as it maintains a direct connection
between devices, whereas wireless media may experience signal degradation in crowded
environments like stadiums or conference centres.
● Wireless media allow for greater mobility, flexibility, and convenience compared to wired
connections.
 Wired Transmission

Structure & Components

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cables use a centre conductor to transmit electrical signals, generally composed of a
single solid copper wire. The solid copper wire is encased by an insulation layer and surrounded
by a woven metal braid. In many cases, the cable is protected by an insulating layer, also known
as the outer jacket.

By design, coax virtually eliminates electric and magnetic leakage. These fields are restricted to
the dielectric with minimal leakage outside the braid. Due to the cable shielding, electric and
magnetic fields external to the cable do not interfere with signals inside the cable. Having this
characteristic makes coax highly suitable for transmitting electrical signals that are either
intolerant of being interfered with by stronger external electrical signals or where external
radiation of these signals may cause interference with co-site signals.
Fibre-Optic Cable

Optical fibre is composed of three elements – the core, the cladding and the coating. These
elements carry data by way of infrared light, thus propagating signals through the fibre.
The core is at the centre of the optical fibre and provides a pathway for light to travel. In
multimode fibre, the core size is either 62.5 or 50 micrometres (µm), and approximately 8.3
micrometres in a single-mode fibre. The larger core size in multimode fibre provides various
pathways for light to travel, whereas the small core size in single-mode fibre provides a single
pathway.

Next is the cladding, which is 125 microns. The cladding holds the light inside the core and
controls the direction in which light is spread through the fibre. When light enters the fibre at the
appropriate approach angle, also known as the critical angle, it will reflect and stay inside the
core, thus achieving a process called “total internal reflection”. If it’s not at the perfect angle, the
light will refract and the signal will be lost.

Lastly, we have the coating, which acts as the primary buffer. It has a diameter that, historically,
has been 250 µm. It cushions and protects the fibres from humidity and hostile environments.
Two layers of urethane Acrylate (plastic) make up the coating, also known as the “soft” and
“hard” layers. The soft layer cushions the fibre and the hard layer provides abrasion resistance.
The coating also has a higher index of refraction than the core and the cladding which allows for
unwanted light to refract from the cladding.

Twisted Pair Cables

A twisted-pair cabling system is a cable consisting of one or several pairs of copper wires. These
wires are twisted together and around each other and are insulated with a dielectric polymeric
compound. Twisting helps minimise electromagnetic radiation and resists external interference.
It also helps limit interference with adjacent twisted-pair cables. A twisted-pair cable simply
refers to a cable in which pairs -- one or more -- of insulated strands of copper wire are twisted
around one another. In the pair, one wire is used to transmit data, and the other is the ground
reference.

There are two types of copper conductors that may be used in twisted-pair cable:

Solid. A solid conductor twisted-pair cable, with a single strand of copper, offers better
transmission performance over long distances, making it suitable for use in permanent lines and
backbone cabling with the use of an insulation displacement connector, or IDC.
Stranded. A twisted-pair cable with stranded wiring consists of multiple smaller wires woven
together. It has high signal attenuation, which limits its performance distance. That is why it is
usually used only in patch cord production for local connections.

Twisted-pair cable categories

Twisted-pair cables are of two types:

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP). These cables generally comprise wires and insulators.
Shielded twisted pair (STP). These cables come with a braided, wired mesh that encases each
pair of insulated copper wires.
Advantages & Disadvantages

Coaxial Cable

Advantages

● High Bandwidth: Coaxial cable offers a high bandwidth capacity, allowing for the
transmission of large amounts of data at high speeds. This makes it suitable for
applications that require fast data transfer rates, such as internet access and cable
television.
● Long Transmission Distances: Coaxial cable can transmit signals over long distances
without significant signal degradation or loss. This makes it suitable for connecting
devices that are far apart from each other, such as in large buildings or across wide
geographic areas.
● Resistance to Interference: Coaxial cable is less susceptible to electromagnetic
interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) compared to other types of
cables, such as twisted pair cables. This makes it reliable for use in environments where
interference is a concern, such as in industrial settings or areas with high levels of
electromagnetic noise.
● Durability: Coaxial cable is designed to be durable and resistant to environmental factors
such as moisture, heat, and physical damage. This makes it suitable for outdoor use and
in harsh environments where other types of cables may be more prone to damage.
Disadvantages

● Signal Loss: Coaxial cable experiences signal loss over long distances, particularly at
higher frequencies. This attenuation can degrade the quality of the transmitted signal and
require the use of signal amplifiers or repeaters in longer cable runs.
● Bulkiness: Coaxial cable is thicker and less flexible than other types of cables, such as
twisted pair cables. This can make it more challenging to install in tight spaces or to route
around obstacles.
● Susceptibility to Damage: While coaxial cable is relatively durable, it can still be
susceptible to physical damage from bending, crushing, or environmental factors such as
moisture and temperature extremes. Damage to the cable can result in signal loss or
complete failure of communication.
● Cost: Coaxial cable can be more expensive than other types of cables, particularly for
high-performance variants or when compared to twisted pair cables. Additionally, the
installation of coaxial cable may require specialised tools and connectors, adding to the
overall cost.

Fibre-Optic Cable

Advantages

● Speed: fibre optic internet speed is 1 gbps. That's 10 to 20 times speedier than the 50 to
100 mbps cable most of us know now.
● Connecting with multiple devices: the steady signal with less signal loss and 10 times
more bandwidth means we can connect with multiple tablets, laptops, and several phones
at once.
● Longer transmission distances: a fibre optic cable is a low power loss medium, meaning
you can achieve higher bandwidths over greater transmission distances. Fibre optic cables
can reach 10’s of kilometres in distance.
● Fibre optic cables do not conduct electrical currents, making fibre data connections
fully-resistant to electromagnetic interference, lightning, or radio signals.
Disadvantages of Fibre-optic

● Low power: Light emitting sources are limited to low power. Although high power
emitters are available to improve power supply, it would add extra cost.
● Fragility: Optical fibre is rather fragile and more vulnerable to damage compared to
copper wires. You’d better not twist or bend fibre optic cables too tightly.
● Distance: The distance between the transmitter and receiver should keep short or
repeaters are needed to boost the signal.

Twisted-Pair Cable

Advantages

● Cost-Effectiveness: Twisted pair cables are relatively inexpensive to manufacture,

making them a cost-effective option for various applications.
● Flexibility: They are flexible and easy to install, making them suitable for situations
where cables need to be routed around corners or through tight spaces.
● Interference Reduction: The twisting of the pairs helps to reduce electromagnetic
interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), leading to better signal quality
and less data corruption.
● Noise Immunity: The twisted configuration also helps in reducing crosstalk, which is the
unwanted transfer of signals between adjacent pairs. This improves the reliability and
integrity of the transmitted data.
Disadvantages

● Limited Distance: Twisted pair cables are subject to signal degradation over long
distances, especially with higher frequencies. This limitation may require the use of
signal repeaters or the installation of additional equipment to boost the signal over longer
cable runs.
● Bandwidth Limitation: Compared to other types of cables like fibre optics, twisted pair
cables have limited bandwidth capabilities. This limitation can become a bottleneck in
high-speed data transmission applications, especially in environments where large
amounts of data need to be transmitted quickly.
● Susceptibility to External Interference: Despite their twisted configuration helping to
reduce electromagnetic interference, twisted pair cables can still be susceptible to
external sources of interference, such as power lines, fluorescent lights, and other
electronic devices. This interference can degrade signal quality and lead to data
transmission errors.

Common Applications
Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cables are employed in a wide range of applications across various industries, including:

● Telecommunications: Coaxial cables are used for broadband internet and cable
television services, providing high-speed data transmission and reliable
connectivity.
● Audio and Video: Coaxial cables are utilised for transmitting high-quality audio
and video signals in professional broadcasting, home theatre systems, and security
camera installations.
● Radio Frequency: Coaxial cables are essential for transmitting radio frequency
signals in applications such as ham radio, wireless communication systems, and
radar installations.
 ● Networking: Coaxial cables can be used for local area network (LAN)
installations, particularly in environments where high levels of interference may be
present.

Fibre-optic

The application of optical fibres in various fields is given below:

Optical Fibres uses in Medical industry

Because of its extremely thin and flexible nature, it is used in various instruments to view
internal body parts by inserting into hollow spaces in the body. It is used as lasers during
surgeries, endoscopy, microscopy and biomedical research.

Optical Fibres used in Communication

In the communication system, telecommunication has major uses of optical fibre cables for
transmitting and receiving purposes. It is used in various networking fields and even increases
the speed and accuracy of the transmission data. Compared to copper wires, fibre optics cables
are lighter, more flexible and carry more data.

Optical Fibres used in Defence Purpose

Fibre optics are used for data transmission in high-level data security fields of military and
aerospace applications. These are used in wirings in aircraft, hydrophones for SONARs and
Seismics applications.

Twisted Pair

Building Automation and Control Systems: Twisted pair cables find applications in building
automation and control systems, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
controls, lighting controls, and access control systems. These cables enable the communication
and control of various building functions, ensuring efficient energy management and enhancing
user convenience. Twisted pair cables provide the necessary data transmission capabilities to
connect sensors, actuators, and control devices throughout a building, facilitating seamless
automation and control.

Audio and Entertainment Systems: Twisted pair cables are utilised in audio and entertainment
systems for transmitting audio signals. They are commonly used in professional audio setups,
including concert venues, recording studios, and live sound systems. Twisted pair cables deliver
high-quality audio transmission, minimising noise and interference. They are also employed in
home theatre systems, connecting audio sources, amplifiers, and speakers, providing immersive
sound experiences.

Industrial Control and Automation: Twisted pair cables play a significant role in industrial
control and automation applications. They are used to establish connections between
programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, actuators, and other automation equipment.
Twisted pair cables enable reliable data transmission for monitoring and controlling various
industrial processes, ensuring seamless automation and efficient production.
 Wireless Transmission

How They Work

Satellite
Satellite wireless transmission media works by using microwave signals to transmit data between
a ground station and a satellite in orbit around the Earth.The ground station transmits signals to
the satellite, which then amplifies and retransmits the signals to another ground station. This
process allows for communication between two points on Earth that are too far apart to use
conventional means.

The satellite communication system can operate in different modes, such as simplex, half-duplex,
and full-duplex, depending on the direction of information flow

Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless transmission media work by transmitting data wirelessly between devices
using radio waves in the 2.4 to 2.485 GHz frequency band. Bluetooth is a standard protocol for
short-range radio communication between various types of devices, including mobile phones,
computers, entertainment systems, and other electronics.

Bluetooth devices use a spread-spectrum frequency-hopping technology, which means they use
multiple frequencies simultaneously to limit interference when using multiple devices. The
signals do not require a direct line of sight, but the range differs based on what type/ brand of
technology being used .

Microwave
Microwave wireless transmission works by utilising high-frequency radio waves, specifically
microwaves, to transmit data wirelessly between devices. These microwaves are part of the
electromagnetic spectrum, with frequencies ranging from 300 MHz( megahertz )to 300 GHz(
gigahertz) and corresponding wavelengths of 1 mm( millimetre)to 30 cm( centimetre)The
process involves sending and receiving information using microwaves, which are widely used
for point-to-point communications and are part of unguided or wireless transmission media.

The signal to be transmitted is processed or encoded at the transmitting station, modulated onto
an intermediate carrier frequency, up-converted( which is to convert a signal, audio, etc. from a
lower quality to a higher one) to microwave frequency, and then amplified before being radiated
through an antenna.

Antennas play a crucial role in microwave wireless transmission, acting as transducers between
guided and unguided media.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Satellite
Advantages

● Wide coverage: Satellites can provide coverage over large areas, including remote and
rural locations, making it a great option for global communication.
● High bandwidth: Satellites can support high-speed data transmission, allowing for the
transfer of large amounts of data quickly.
● Flexibility: Satellites can be repositioned to cover different areas, providing flexibility in
communication and connectivity.
Disadvantages

● Latency: Due to the long distance that signals need to travel between Earth and satellites,
there can be a noticeable delay or latency in communication.
● Cost: Building, launching, and maintaining satellites can be expensive, making it a costly
option for communication infrastructure.
● Vulnerability to weather conditions: Satellites can be affected by weather conditions such
as heavy rain or storms, which may disrupt or degrade the quality of the signal.

Bluetooth

Advantages

● Convenience: Bluetooth allows for wireless communication between devices over short
distances, making it convenient for connecting devices like smartphones, headphones,
and speakers without the need for cables.
● Low power consumption: Bluetooth technology is designed to be energy-efficient, which
helps prolong the battery life of devices.
● Universal compatibility: Bluetooth is a widely adopted standard, so most devices are
equipped with Bluetooth capabilities, making it easy to connect and share data between
different devices.
Disadvantages

● Limited range: Bluetooth has a relatively short range compared to other wireless
technologies, typically up to 30 feet (10 metres). This means that devices need to be in
close proximity for a stable connection.
● Interference: Bluetooth signals can be susceptible to interference from other wireless
devices or physical obstacles like walls, which may affect the quality of the connection.
● Data transfer speed: While Bluetooth has improved over the years, its data transfer speed
is generally slower compared to other wireless technologies like Wi-Fi.

Microwave

Advantages

● High bandwidth: Microwaves can support high data transmission rates, allowing for the
transfer of large amounts of information quickly.
● Line-of-sight communication: Microwaves travel in straight lines, which means they can
be directed and focused on specific paths. This makes them ideal for point-to-point
communication over long distances.
● Low signal attenuation: Microwaves experience less signal loss compared to other
wireless transmission media, allowing for more reliable communication.

Disadvantages

● Line-of-sight requirement: Microwaves require a clear line-of-sight between the

transmitter and receiver. Obstacles like buildings or terrain can disrupt the signal, limiting
its effectiveness.
 ● Susceptibility to weather conditions: Microwaves can be affected by atmospheric
conditions such as rain, fog, or even heavy cloud cover, which can degrade the quality of
the signal.
● Cost and complexity: Implementing microwave communication infrastructure can be
expensive and complex, requiring specialised equipment and careful planning.

Common Applications

● Wireless communication: This includes mobile phones, Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth

devices, and satellite communication systems.
● Internet of Things (IoT): Wireless transmission media is essential for connecting and
communicating with IoT devices such as smart home appliances, wearable devices, and
industrial sensors.
● Remote monitoring and control: Wireless technology is used for remote monitoring and
controlling systems such as security cameras, environmental sensors, and industrial
equipment.
● Mobile computing: Laptops, tablets, and smartphones rely on wireless transmission
media to connect to the internet and other devices.
● Wireless audio and video streaming: Wireless technology enables the streaming of audio
and video content to devices such as smart TVs, speakers, and headphones.
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