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Introduction
Unguided media is wireless communication that uses signals such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared and satellite communication. It provides flexible and mobile communication but can suffer from interference and limited bandwidth.
As we all know, a communication channel that transports information from the sender to the receiver is referred to as transmission media. Moreover, electromagnetic signals are used to transmit data.
This transmission media is further classified into two types:
Guided Media - It is the physical medium through which signals are transmitted
Unguided Media - An unguided transmission sends electromagnetic waves without the use of a physical medium
In this article, we’ll be looking at Unguided Transmission media.
So, let’s get started:
What is unguided transmission media?
UnGuided/Wireless Transmission Media transfer electromagnetic waves without using a physical medium or conductor. It is also referred to as Wireless or Unbounded transmission media.
Unguided transmission media, also called wireless media, are used to transmit data over the air without the use of physical cables. They offer mobility and flexibility but are also prone to interference, attenuation, and security risks. The efficiency of wireless communication can be improved by using techniques such as modulation, coding, multiple access, and smart antenna systems. Wireless communication has become increasingly important in modern society due to the growing popularity of mobile devices, IoT, and cloud computing.
Next, we’ll discuss the types of UnGuided Media:
Types of Unguided Media
Radio Transmission
Radio waves are electromagnetic waves that travel through free space in all directions
Radio waves are omnidirectional, which means that the signals are propagated in all directions. Because radio waves are omnidirectional, they are susceptible to interference if another transmitting antenna transmits a signal with the same frequency or bandwidth
Radio waves have a frequency range of 3 kHz to 1 GHz
The sending and receiving antennas are not aligned in the case of radio waves, so the wave sent by the sending antenna can be received by any receiving antenna
Advantages of Radio Transmission
Radio waves travel in all directions (propagated in all directions)
It is capable of penetrating walls
Uses of Radio Transmission
Wide area networks and mobile cellular phones are the most common applications
Multicasting is done using radio waves (one to many)
Examples of Radio Transmission
Television
FM radio
Microwave Transmission
Microwave transmission consists of an electromagnetic wave with a frequency range of about (1-300GHz)
Electromagnetic waves propagate in one direction with respect to sight, preventing any intrusion
When the transmission medium is aligned with each other, communication between the two endpoints and the line of sight becomes much easier to establish
Microwave Transmission is further divided into two categories:
Terrestrial Transmission
Terrestrial microwave transmission is a method of transmitting a radio signal's focused beam from one ground-based microwave transmission antenna to another
Antennas are mounted on the towers, in this case, to send a beam to another antenna located km away
It uses line-of-sight transmission, which means that the antennas on the towers are in direct line of sight of each other
Characteristics of Terrestrial Microwave
Uses high-frequency radio waves for transmission
Requires a clear line of sight between the transmitting and receiving antennas
It can transmit data over long distances, up to 30 miles or more
Has a high bandwidth, allowing for fast data transfer rates
Advantages Of Terrestrial Microwave
Provides high-speed communication over long distances
Has a high bandwidth, allowing for fast data transfer rates
Offers a reliable alternative to wired communication in remote or difficult-to-access areas
It can be quickly deployed and installed, reducing the need for expensive infrastructure
Does not require expensive rights-of-way, as it can be installed on existing structures such as towers or buildings
Disadvantages Of Terrestrial Microwave
Requires a clear line of sight between the transmitting and receiving antennas, which can be obstructed by physical obstacles such as buildings or mountains
It can be affected by weather conditions such as rain, snow, and fog, which can weaken the signal
Requires regular maintenance to ensure the proper functioning of equipment and signal quality
Vulnerable to interference from other microwave systems or radio devices operating on the same frequency
Has a limited coverage area compared to satellite communication and can only transmit data up to a certain distance, typically up to 30 miles or less
Satellite Transmission
A satellite is a physical object that travels around the Earth at a set altitude
Satellite communication is now more dependable than cable and fibre optic technologies because it is more adaptable
We can communicate with any location on the planet using satellite communication
How Does Satellite work?
Satellites work by receiving signals from ground-based antennas and retransmitting those signals back to Earth. They orbit the Earth at a specific altitude and speed, allowing them to remain in a fixed position relative to the ground. The signals are sent to the satellite from one ground station, then relayed to another ground station to reach the desired destination. Satellites can be used for communication, weather monitoring, GPS navigation, and other applications.
Advantages Of Satellite Transmission
Offers a wide coverage area, making it suitable for global communication and remote areas without access to other communication infrastructure
Provides high-speed data transfer rates, which are useful for applications such as video streaming and high-resolution imaging
It can operate independently of existing communication infrastructure, reducing the need for expensive installations and maintenance
It is not affected by physical obstacles, such as buildings or mountains, that can obstruct other types of communication
Disadvantages Of Satellite Transmission
It can be affected by atmospheric conditions, such as rain, clouds, and solar storms, which can weaken or disrupt the signal
It can be susceptible to interference from other satellite or ground-based systems operating on the same frequency
It can have higher latency or delay in signal transmission due to the distance between the satellite and ground stations, which can affect some applications such as real-time gaming or voice communication
It is generally more expensive than other types of communication infrastructure, such as terrestrial or underwater cables, especially for high-bandwidth applications
Infrared Transmission
Infrared transmission is a short-range wireless communication technique
Infrared wave transmission has a frequency range of 300 GHz to 400 THz
It's used for short-range communication like data transmission between two cell phones, TV remote control operation, and data transfer between a computer and a mobile phone in the same confined area
Infrared waves are regarded as a far safer form of unguided transmission medium
Infrared waves are powerful because there is no risk of sniffing, spoofing, or other unwanted activities, as well as a low risk of vulnerable attacks
Characteristics Of Infrared
Infrared is an electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves
Infrared radiation can be emitted, reflected or absorbed by an object, depending on the object's temperature and physical properties
Infrared transmission requires a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, as it cannot penetrate solid objects
Advantages Of Infrared
Infrared waves are used for high-frequency short-range communication
It cannot penetrate walls
Uses Of Infrared
Infrared Data Association (IrDA) is a standard for communicating between devices like computers, keyboards, mice, and printers
Wireless keywords can communicate with a computer via the IrDA port
Disadvantages Of Infrared
Infrared signals require a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, as they cannot penetrate solid objects, which limits their range and coverage area
Infrared communication can be affected by interference from other infrared sources or bright light sources, such as the sun or fluorescent lamps
Infrared communication has limited bandwidth, which restricts its usefulness for applications requiring high data transfer rates
Infrared communication is affected by weather conditions such as fog, rain, and snow, which can scatter or attenuate the signal
Air is the medium through which electromagnetic energy can easily flow without any hindrance or intrusion
Unguided signals can travel in three ways: sky propagation, ground propagation, and line-of-sight propagation
The electromagnetic spectrum used for wireless communication ranges from 3 kHz to 900 THz
The unguided media makes use of an antenna first for transmitting and receiving the electromagnetic wave
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bounded and unbounded media?
Bounded transmission media use physical cables or fibers to guide communications, whereas unbounded transmission media use wireless technologies to convey messages across air or open space. Each type has its own characteristics and concerns, and the choice between them is determined by variables and the specific needs of the communication system.
What are the types of unguided media?
There are several types of unguided media, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, and visible light. Each type of unguided media has different frequencies, bandwidths, and transmission ranges and is used for different purposes, such as long-distance or short-range communication.
What are examples of unguided transmission?
Examples of unguided transmission include wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, satellite communication, infrared communication, and RFID. These technologies use various types of unguided media to transmit data signals without the need for physical conductors.
Where is unguided media used?
Unguided media is used in a variety of applications, such as wireless networking, mobile communication, satellite communication, remote sensing, and RFID technology. It is also used for short-range communication between devices, such as infrared communication between remote controls and TVs.
Conclusion
To wrap up the article, we’ve discussed UnGuided Media in detail. Because of its major use when a radio or any other form of transmission is required, an unguided transmission medium is a recommended and most commonly used form of transmission medium. Furthermore, unlike guided media, unguided media is useful and in demand due to its ease of implementation in a remote location with minimal intrusion.