Updated April 13, 2023
Introduction Unguided Media Transmission
The unguided media transmission is a type of transmission medium that is used as the path for sending the information and data from one end to another end. The other name of unguided media transmission is wireless media. The data transmitted in this medium is through electromagnetic waves so that any physical wire or cable is not required for the transmission. Unguided media transmission is bounded by geographical areas. This type of communication is defined as wireless communication. There are three ways in which unguided signals can transmit that are sky propagation, ground propagation, and lint of sight propagation.
Types of Unguided Media Transmission
The unguided media transmission is the type of transmission that does not use any physical conductor for transmitting the information between two nodes. The other name of the unguided media transmission is wireless communication. The signals and information can be broadcast from a single place and can be transmitted to multiple users at the same time. There are three types of ways in which the unguided signals can be transmitted. They are described below:
1. Ground propagation
In this type of way, the signals are transmitted in the lowest layer of the atmosphere and can be sent in all directions using the antenna as a transmitting device. The signals are transmitted as the frequency is lower for this signal.
2. Sky Propagation
In this type of way, the signals are transmitted that has usually high-frequency and can be transmitted using the sky as a medium. In this way, the radio waves are transmitted in the upward direction and then signals get reflected because of the ionosphere and reach to earth surface again. By this, the signals can be transmitted for longer distances consuming less power.
3. Line of sight propagation
In this type of way, the signals having a very high frequency is transmitted using the antenna to antenna communication. Unguided transmission media can be categorized into three major categories. They are mentioned below:
a. Radio waves: The radio waves can be defined as electromagnetic waves which can be used to transmit the information in any direction without having any restriction. The radio waves are defined as omnidirectional which means the waves can travel in any direction. The basic frequency range for the radio waves in between 3 Khz to 1 Khz. In radio waves transmission, there is no necessity that the sending antenna and receiving antenna should be aligned, the signals can be transmitted to any receiving antenna. One of the best examples of radio waves signal is FM radio.
Radio waves application:
- The radio waves are used where there is a requirement of sending the same information to multiple users from a single source.
- The applications of radio waves are television, FM radio, and cordless phone.
b. Microwave: The microwave is another type of electromagnetic waves that have a frequency range of 1 GHz to 300 GHz. The microwave is unidirectional. In this transmission, whenever the signals are transmitted through an antenna, the signals can make narrow to focus to a particular point. And in this transmission, there is a requirement of proper alignment of sending antenna and receiving antenna.
Microwave application:
- The unicast transmission becomes easier using microwave transmission.
- The microwaves are used in satellite network communication and wireless LANs.
c. Infrared waves: The infrared is another category of a wave having the frequency range between 300 GHz to 400 THz. These types of waves are used when there is a requirement to have communication for shorter distances. As the frequency is very high for infrared waves, the signals cannot penetrate through walls. Infrared communication can be done for long-range also depending on the requirements. The infrared waves can be intervening if the sun rays fall on it as the sunrays also have infrared waves.
Infrared application:
- The data transmission quality for the infrared is comparatively higher than other types of electromagnetic waves.
- Used in computer system components to have communication between them.
What we need to do Unguided Media Transmission?
For having the unguided transmission media between two nodes there is no requirement for the direct connection. The sender and receiver end can communicate with each other through radio waves, microwaves, and other wireless mediums. The only requirement is to connect the destination node and sender node and then the information transmission can begin within two nodes. There is a certain limit of transmission after that the quality begins to decrease and signal quality becomes worse. For transmission the towers can be used, satellites can be used for information transmission.
Advantages of Unguided Media Transmission
There are several advantages of unguided media transmission. Some of them are mentioned below:
1. The bandwidth of unguided media transmission is higher when it is compared to guided transmission media. The information can be shared without having any disturbance from any medium.
2. The unguided transmission media does not get affected by corrosive materials as there is no direct communication between the sender node and the destination node.
3. The price of unguided media transmission is lower compared to guided transmission media as there are no physical cables or wires used which help to reduce the setup cost for the unguided transmission medium.
4. A single time, the same information can be broadcast to multiple users without having any delay. For example, broadcast of radio or tv channels in which multiple users can use the device for getting information.
5. The signals in unguided transmission media can be transmitted for long distances without having any disturbance from medium and without compromising quality.
6. The signal attenuation is lower in the unguided transmission medium. As there is no physical wire or cable used the attenuation is lower in information transmission.
Conclusion
The unguided transmission media is typical of wireless communication that means no physical conductors are required for information transmission between the source node and destination node. Three ways of communication include ground, sky, and line of sight propagation. And there are types of categories of unguided transmission that include radio waves, microwaves, and infrared waves.
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