The Communication Medium

Before writing about the communication media, I would like to explain some terms or definitions related to data communications. When we talk about he data transmission, there are two types of transmissions. One is called serial transmission and second is called parallel transmission. As shown by the name, in serial transmission data transmitted on bit by bit. At a time only one bit will transmit whereas on the other hand when we talk about the parallel transmission data transmitted in sets of 8, 16 or 32 bits at a time. So, the parallel transmission is much faster as compare to the serial transmission but we use this parallel transmission only for short distances but when we want to transmit data long distance then the serial transmission is recommended.
Now, we come to our post title “the Communication Media” media is a source which, we use to transfer data from one place to another or in other words we can say that when we transfer data from one place to another place, we must use some sources to transfer data from one place to another place, we must use some sources to transfer it, these sources are called the “Communication Media”, Furthermore, these media has further two categories, Guided Media and the Unguided Media. When we use some physical media for our communication such as cables that is called guided media. On the other hand when our data transfers through some non-physical resource, this is called unguided media. The unguided media only used as a medium for data traveling, and not guide the signals towards any specific path that’s why this called unguided media. Microwave transmission and the satellite communication are its examples. When we talk about the microwave transmission, it is high-speed data transmission media but in this media we have to face little problem that signals travel only in straight lines so, we have to use microwaves antennas on a very high place to avoid the earth curvature. The 30 miles height for microwave antennas is recommended. These antennas receive signals from the previous antenna and then transmit it to the next antenna. Satellite communication is another form of unguided media. In these media two things involves. First, earth station and second satellite station. The earth station throws the signals to the satellite station, which is almost 23,000 miles to 24,000 miles above the earth that satellite station boosts up the signals and then transmit them to another earth station. So, these were the examples of unguided communication media. Now we will talk about the guided media
When the signals use some physical media for communication or when the signals travel through some physical media, this is called Guided Media. The following are the examples of Guided Media.
Coaxial Cable
Coaxial Cables are recommended within the range of one Kilometer or for the local area network. It is a copper wire that surrounded by the insolating material
Twisted Pair
These are the Cables of thin diameter, in the form of twisted pairs but it is not as reliable as the Coaxial Cable
Fiber Optic Cable
This is the fastest medium and it consists of hundred of thin glass. It also provides the high security level but it has also a disadvantage that it cannot support for the long distances.