Topic 4 Physical Layer- Chapter 7 Transmission Media.ppt

Topic 4: Physical Layer- Chapter 7: Transmission Media Business Data Communications, 4e Classes of Transmission Media Conducted or guided media use a conductor such as a wire or a fiber optic cable to move the signal from sender to receiver Wireless or unguided media use radio waves of different frequencies and do not need a wire or cable conductor to transmit signals Design Factors for Transmission Media Bandwidth: All other factors remaining constant, the greater the band-width of a signal, the higher the data rate that can be achieved. Transmission impairments. Limit the distance a signal can travel. Interference: Competing signals in overlapping frequency bands can distort or wipe out a signal. Number of receivers: Each attachment introduces some attenuation and distortion, limiting distance and/or data rate. Electromagnetic Spectrum for Transmission Media Guided Transmission Media Transmission capacity depends on the distance and on whether the medium is point-to-point or multipoint Examples twisted pair wires coaxial cables optical fiber Twisted Pair Wires Consists of two insulated copper wires arranged in a regular spiral pattern to minimize the electromagnetic interference between adjacent pairs Often used at customer facilities and also over distances to carry voice as well as data communications Low frequency transmission medium Types of Twisted Pair STP (shielded twisted pair) the pair is wrapped with metallic foil or braid to insulate the pair from electromagnetic interference UTP (unshielded twisted pair) each wire is insulated with plastic wrap, but the pair is encased in an outer covering Ratings of Twisted Pair Category 3 UTP data rates of up to 16mbps are achievable Category 5 UTP data rates of up to 100mbps are achievable more tightly twisted than Category 3 cables more expensive, but better performance STP More expensive, harder to work with Twisted Pair Advantages Inexpensive and readily available Flexible and light weight Easy to work with an