Wired Communication Media

Wired communication media are also known as Guided media and are a type of Transmission
media. This type of communication is the most stable which is why it is considered better than
wireless. These connections are less prone to other outer interferences. In wired communication media,
wire is used to transfer data from source to destination. Wired communication media is not better for
public use but can be used for professional purposes as it more relies on wires and ports which is not
the case with wireless networks, data can be accessed from anywhere. Also, the connection speed of
wired media is more as compared to wireless. The whole setup of wired media is also expensive as the
larger the distances more no. of cables and ports would be required and fiber optic cables are usually
expensive.
The diagram given below shows the transmission media its types and its subtypes.

1) Twisted pair cable

As the name suggests these are two twisted pairs of cables or wires made up of insulated copper. These
are twisted together in such a way that they run parallel one wire is used for the transmission of data
and the other wire is used for ground. Usually, these wires or cables are 1mm in diameter. The
twisted-pair cable is made up of 2 copper wires (insulated) arranged in a spiral pattern. Noise
interference is more often the problem in these cables but it can be handled by increasing the number
of turns per foot of twisted pair cable.

Working of twisted-pair cables: The twisted-pair cable has an outer jacket that keeps the wires
together, a shield for the protection of the cable, color-coded plastic insulation to uniquely identify
each conductor, and twisting of wires to cancel the electromagnetic waves that create noise
interferences during the transmission of data. When current flows through the cable then a small
circular magnetic field is created around the wire. For the connection between two devices connectors
are needed at both ends like RJ45 for computer connection.
Types of Twisted pair cables are:-
● Unshielded Twisted pair (UTP)
● Shielded Twisted pair (STP)

Unshielded Twisted pair (UTP)

UTP cables are the most common twisted pair cables that are used in computer networks as well as in
telecommunication. These cables are made up of 4 color-coded copper wires twisted together to cancel
the disturbances from outer sources and electromagnetic interference. There are different categories of
UTP cables used for telecommunication and other purposes. For example, some are used for telephone
line services with good speed and some offer 4mbps to 16mbps speed some provide 20mbps speed and
it is enough for communication for longer distances.
Connectors: The most common UTP connector is RJ45 (Here, RJ stands for registered jack), (There
are two types of RJ45 male and RJ45 female cable). RJ45 is a keyed connector, which means that the
connector can be connected in only one way. Its cables are mostly used on an ethernet connection. For
example, Computers, Modems, Printers, and various network storage devices.
Merits
● These cables are cheaper.
● The maintenance cost is low.
● It doesn’t require any ground wire.
Demerits
● The transmission rate of data is slow.
● Noise is high in these cables.

Shielded Twisted pair cables (STP)

In comparison, UTP’s Shielded twisted pair cables are costlier and consist of metal foil sometimes
made up of insulated conductors. Metal foils help to improve the quality of the wire which otherwise
will be affected by noise. These cables are used to reduce crosstalk and the interference caused due to
electromagnetic waves. The company that first introduced these STP cables was IBM. These cables are
used for both Analog and digital transmissions.
Merits
● The transmission rate of data is fast.
● Noise is slow in these cables.
Demerits
● These cables are costlier.
● The maintenance cost is higher.
● It requires ground wire.
Applications
Some applications of Twisted pair cables:
1. Telephone systems: To provide voice and data channels.
2. LANs use twisted-pair cables.
3. The DSL lines used by telephone companies also use unshielded twisted pair cables to provide
extremely high data rate connections.

2) Co-axial cable
The most common type of transmission media that is used in various applications like tv wires
and ethernet connection setup also. This is a form of transmission media that consists of two
conductors kept parallel to each other. It has a central core conductor of a solid copper wire enclosed in
an insulating sheet and the middle core conductor is made up of copper mesh and lastly an outer
metallic wrap that helps in noise cancellation. The whole cable is covered and protected by a plastic
cover.
It is considered better than twisted-pair cables because of the higher frequency range. Coaxial
cables are best suited for shorter distances as there are higher chances of data loss in more distances for
fiber optic cables are best as fibers are capable of higher data transfer and with greater speed as
compared to coaxial cables. Cost and maintenance are also less, unlike fiber optic cables. And the
durability of these cables is more.
The various types of coaxial cables:
1. Triaxial Coaxial Cable
2. RG-49Coaxial Cable
3. RG-11 Coaxial Cable
4. RG-6Coaxial Cable
5. Hardline cable
6. Rigid Coaxial Cable
7. Semi-Rigid Coaxial Cable
8. Formable Coaxial Cable
9. Flexible Coaxial Cable
Working of Coaxial Cables: Coaxial cables are made up of copper wires for carrying higher
frequency signals this wire is covered with an insulated foil cover whenever current flows it maintains
a constant distance between the conductor and the next layer and then a shielded wire that prevents the
interference of noise in between the transmission and at last the plastic cover that protects the whole
cable from any outer disturbances. Hence, a coaxial cable carries a signal in a way that when the
current enters the center copper wire as well as the metal shield. The metal conductors at that point
generate a magnetic field. The insulators help the signals not to come in contact with each other, they
also the signal from outside magnetic fields. In this way, the signal is carried over larger distances
without much loss.

Coaxial Cable Standards: These cables are categorized by their radio government (RG) ratings and
each RG number denotes a unique set of physical specifications. Example,
RG-59 75 ohm Cable TV
RG-58 50 ohm Thin Ethernet

Application
Some applications of Coaxial cables:
1. Digital telephone networks
2. Analog telephone networks
3. Cable TV networks
4. Ethernet LANs

Merits
● The cost of coaxial cables is less as compared to fiber optic cables.
● It has a higher data transmission rate.
● It can be used in both analog and digital transmissions.
● Higher-frequency applications can use coaxial cables for better performance.

Demerits
● For long distances, the cost of these cables will be higher.
● The size of these cables is usually bulky because of various layers of metal as well as copper
and plastic.
● The data transmission over long distances is poor.

3) Fiber-optic cables
Also known as optic fiber cables are highly efficient and advanced data transmission cables
that allow the transfer of data in a very large volume. Fiber optic cables allow data transmission with
the help of electrical signals. These are thin pipes made up of glass or plastic known as optic fibers and
data or information flows via light in these cables. With higher bandwidth and high-quality
performance optic fiber cables are best suited for long-distance data transfer and communication.
Types of Fibre-Optic Cables;
● Single-mode Fibres: It is capable of one-way transmission with a rate of almost 50 times more
than multimode fibers. Used in small-scale companies and in local area networks also.
● Multimode Fibres: It has higher bandwidth and cable of two-way transmission capable of
higher data transmission. Used in local area networks, corporate sectors, and private networks also.

Working of fiber-optic cable: Fiber optic cables carry information via light so at the transmitting side
the light source is first encoded with data or information and then the data starts flowing in the core of
the fiber optic cable in a completely bouncing manner with a complete internal reflection then there is
cladding that helps the light to remain inside the cable after reaching the receiver side the data is then
decoded like the original. So basically fiber optic is a form of transmission media for the transfer of
data via light with higher bandwidth and a higher rate of transmission.
It consists of five major parts named core, Cladding, Coating, Strengthening, and Outer jacket.
Here, the Core is a thin part of the glass of the optic fiber cable and cladding is the insulation around
the core coating is the protective layer for the optical fiber the strengthening part allows protection to
the core and at last outer jacket for the whole optic fiber tube.

Application
Some applications of Fibre-optic cables.
● One of the most popular and important uses of Fibre -optic cables is the INTERNET.
● Television broadcasting These cables are very much suitable for transmitting signals for
high-definition televisions because of their greater bandwidth and speed.
● In surgical operations in medicine, these cables are used in various fields of medicine and
research purposes as their cost is low as compared to other cables.
● It is used in industries and in defense services also these cables are of great use.

Merits
● Long durability: These have long durability of almost 100 years.
● Low cost: Due to the cheaper cost these cables are in high demand usually of more use.
● Greater bandwidth and speed: Higher speed and great bandwidth help in faster and even
smoother data transmission.
● Light signals: In the same fiber cable light signals of one fiber and the other do not interfere
with each other which is not the case with other cables.
Demerits
● Delicacy: Fibre-optic cables are more delicate as compared with copper wires. If bent too much
these cables can be damaged easily.
● Installation Cost: The installation process is cost-effective as it requires machines and a
specialist team for the setup of the fiber cables.
● Low power: Since data flows via light in these cables power supply is limited, and for
high-power emitters cost would be more.

Comparison of Wired Communication Media

Properties Twisted Pair Co-axial Cable Fiber optic cable

Cost Inexpensive Twice or Thrice than twisted pair Expensive

Installation Easy Easy Difficult

Attenuation More More Very Less

EMI Effect Maximum Minimum No effect

Bandwidth 1 to 100 Mbps/100m 500 Mbps/100m Gega bps/km

Signal Type Electrical Electrical Light Signals