Media Types

Dr. Ajantha Atukorale

University of Colombo School of Computing
(UCSC)

Properties – Bandwidth, Delay, Cost,
Ease of installation & maintenance, etc
Guided (wire-line)

Media
Unguided (wireless) - signal is always analog

Characteristics and quality determined by medium and signal

For guided, the medium is more important

For unguided, the bandwidth produced by the antenna is more
important

Key concerns - data rate and distance

Design Factors

Bandwidth – Higher bandwidth gives higher data rate

Transmission impairments

Interference

Number of receivers – In guided media more receivers (multi-point)
introduce more attenuation 2

Twisted Pair

Coaxial cable

Optical fiber

Twisted Pair
Separately insulated
Twisted together
Often bundled into cables
Often referred to as UTP
Most common medium

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Telephone network
Between house and local exchange (subscriber loop)

Within buildings
To private branch exchange (PBX)

For local area networks (LAN)
10Mbps or 100Mbps

Twisted Pair – Pros & Cons

Cheap

Easy to work with

Low data rate

Short range

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Analog
Amplifiers are used for long distances

Digital
Use either analog or digital signals
repeaters are used for long distances

Limited distance

Limited bandwidth

Limited data rate

Susceptible to interference and noise

Q1: What is the type of connector used in twisted pair?

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Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

Ordinary telephone wire

Cheapest

Easiest to install

Suffers from external EM interference

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Metal braid or sheathing that reduces interference

More expensive

Harder to handle (thick, heavy)

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Cat 3

up to 16MHz

10Mbps Ethernet (802.3), Basic rate ISDN

Voice grade found in most offices (4 pairs)

Twist length of 7.5cm to 10cm

Cat 4

up to 20MHz

10Mbps Ethernet, 16Mbps Token Ring (802.5)

Cat 5 /5e

up to 100MHz

Twist length 0.6cm to 0.85cm

100Base TX 100Mbps, 155Mbps ATM

Cat 6

up to 250MHz

1000Base T

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8

Category 7 cable

Cat 7 features even more strict specifications for crosstalk
and system noise than Cat 6. To achieve this, shielding has
been added for individual wire pairs and the cable as a
whole.

The Cat 7 cable standard has been created to allow 10

Gigabit Ethernet over 100 m of copper cabling. The cable
contains four twisted copper wire pairs, just like the earlier
standards. Cat 7 cable is rated for transmission frequencies
of up to 600 MHz.

Category 7a is defined at frequencies up to 1000 MHz,

suitable for multiple applications in a single cable.
Simulation results have shown that 40 Gigabit Ethernet is
possible at 50 meters and
100 Gigabit Ethernet is possible at 15 meters.
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50 ohm – digital trans.

75 ohm – analog trans.

Most versatile medium

Television distribution
Ariel to TV
Cable TV

Long distance telephone transmission
Can carry 10,000 voice calls simultaneously
Being replaced by fiber optic

Short distance computer systems links

Local area networks
10

Analog

Amplifiers every few km

Closer if higher frequency

Up to 500MHz

Digital

Repeater every 1km

Closer for higher data rates

Braided Copper
Shielding
Outer Jacket Insulation
Copper
Conductor
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 Light Source

Optical transmission Transmission Medium

Detector

Benefits:

Greater capacity : data rates of hundreds of Gbps

Smaller size & weight

Lower attenuation

Electromagnetic isolation

Greater repeater spacing

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Fibre optics is being used
to transmit television,
voice, and digital data
signals by light waves
over flexible hair like
threads of glass and
plastic. It has evolved
into a system of great
importance and use since
the 1980’s.
 Silica based glass or plastic filaments are
spun and packed into bundles of several
hundreds or thousands. Bundles may be
put together as rods or ribbons and sheets.
 These bundles are flexible and can be
twisted and contorted to conduct light and
images around corners Cross section of a bundle

 The thin glass center of the fibre where the

light travels is called the “core”.
 The outer optical material surrounding the
core that reflects the light back into the
core is called the “cladding”.
 In order to protect the optical surface from
moisture and damage, it is coated with a
layer of buffer coating.
 Light is ejected into the glass
core at the correct angle and
transmitted; it will reflect
back repeatedly with internal
reflections, even when the
rod is curved. Light cannot
escape from a fibre optics
cable. A bundle of rods of
fibres is capable of taking an
image projected at one end
of the bundle and
reproducing it at the other Reflected path of light in the glass rod
end.
 In a fibre optic system, there are a few major components to
perform the task of communication.
 The Input Modulator is needed; this modulates the incoming
signal with a light beam.
 A light emitting device is used; it can be either a light emitting
diode (LED) or a semiconductor laser diode.
 A fibre optic cable is used as a transportation medium.
 A fibre optic system converts an electrical signal to an infrared
light signal, and then transmits the signal onto an optical fibre.
 An Output Modulator is used to separate the signal from the light
beam.
 Special connectors must be used to couple the light from the
source to the fibre and from the fibre to the detector.
ADVANTAGES

 Fibre optic cables have a much greater bandwidth than metal cables.
 Fibre optic cable is less susceptible to signal degradation than copper
wire.
 Fibre optic cables weigh less than a copper wire cable.
 Data can be transmitted digitally.
 Lower-power transmitters can be used instead of the high-voltage
electrical transmitters used for copper wires.
 Unlike electrical signals in copper wires, light signals from one fibre do
not interfere with those of other fibres in the same cable.
 Because no electricity is passed through optical cable it is non-flammable,
and immune to lightning.
 Impossible to tap into a fibre optics cable, making it more secure
DISADVANTAGES

 Fibre optics are that the cables are expensive to install.

 The termination of a fibre optics cable is complex and requires

special tools.

 They are more fragile than coaxial cable.

 Attributes Multi-Mode Single-Mode

Manufacture Expensive Cheap

Light Source LED. Cheap Laser. Expensive

Bandwidth Limited. Megabits/Sec Un-limited.

Terabits/Sec

Distance Short Haul Long Haul

Attenuation. (Km) High Low

Connectors Cheap Expensive

 Ideal for Current LAN and Datacom Applications.

 More forgiving in termination than Single Mode.

 Lower System Cost

 Typically Uses LED Sources.

 Operates at 850nm or 1300nm

 Ideal for Long Distance/High Speed, Telcob

 Virtually Unlimited Bandwidth - Terabits

potential!

 Higher System Cost

 Typically Uses Laser Sources

 Operates at 1310nm and 1550nm

 External

Direct Buried - Metal armored, (tape) and gel-filled,
(moisture barrier)

Duct - Can be pressurized, gel or non gel filled, armor is

optional

aerial - Gel filled in most applications with armor

optional
 Internal

Duct – Tight buffer riser rated type. Simplex, duplex and
multi core
 External Cable

Loose Tube Construction should
allow for 3% elongation and
contraction

inner Jacket
Outer Jacket
Rip Cord
Armor
1 - 12 Fibers
Central Strength Member
Gel Filled (optional)
Polymer Wrap Rip Cord

Aerial Armored
 Internal Cable, Patch Cables Tight Buffer
Duplex, figure 8

3mm
900µ

Single Fiber
Rip Cord

Duplex
ST Connector
‘‘Straight Tip’’
Registered trademark of AT&T
Most common connector

SC Connector
May be arranged in duplex

Small Form Factor Connector

MTRJ
 Small Form Factor
 Applications:

Data
 Features versatile RJ-45 latching
mechanism, duplex ferrule and
small form factor connector system
 Increases port density by 50% on
computer and networking related
hardware, panels, wall plates, and
in closets
 Adapter fits standard SC
 Small Form Factor

 Applications:

Data

Telecom
 Versatile RJ-45 latching
mechanism
 1.25mm ceramic ferrule
 Tunable feature optimizes insertion loss performance
 Simplex and duplex styles available
 Meets Industry standards
 Bend radius is important

avoid kinks & tight bends

 Should not be disturbed at

interface

causes attenuation fluctuations

maybe seen as collisions on the
network, Bit errors
 Calibrate transmit and
receive unit with reference
cable(s)
 Do not disturb the
connector at the source
 Test at 850 nm and/or 1300
nm wavelengths
 Performs test in both
directions
 Greatly different result
indicates a bad connector at
one end
 Distance vs.
Attenuation graph
 Fault Location

 Send a excitation
impulse along the
cable and samples
the reflections over
the time domain
 Uses a ‘launch cable’
 Done from both
ends.
 Pre-installation Testing

 Trouble Shooting

 Measure Splice and Connector Loss without access

 Locate excessive bends or breaks with accuracy

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 Fiber 1
Fiber 2
Fiber 3

step drop indicates

damage or excessive
bend

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35
Ways of connecting fibers:

Can terminate and plugged into fiber socket (10% - 20% light
loss)

Spliced manually, lay the two ends next to each other in a
special sleeve and clamp them, take less time (10% light loss)

Fused (melted) to form a solid connection (very less loss)

Light source comparison:

Item LED Laser
Data Rate Low High
Mode Multi-mode Multi/Single-mode
Distance Short Long
Lifetime Long Short
Temp. Sensitivity Minor Substantial
Cost Low Expensive 36
Fiber has many advantages compared to Copper wire:

Higher Bandwidth

Low attenuation

Not affected by electromagnetic interferences

Not affected by corrosive chemicals

Lighter in weight

Secured from wire-tappers

Do not induce high voltages when lightening takes place

The disadvantages are:

Expensive, but now the prices are nearing the other alternatives

Skilled people are needed for the cabling

Making joints is expensive

Must be physically protected against damages

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Unguided media

Transmission and reception via
antenna

Directional

Focused beam

Careful alignment required

Omni-directional

Signal spreads in all directions

Can be received by many antennae

Radio Transmission:
Radio waves are easy to generate, can travel long distances, and penetrate buildings
easily. Radio waves (VLF, LF and MF bands) follow the ground – eg. AM Radio.
In HF and VHF bands the ground waves tend to be absorbed by the earth.
However, they bounce off from the ionosphere – eg. FM Radio, TV

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Satellite Personal LAN Fixed Mobile

LEO Bluetooth IEEE 802.11 LMDS 1G Analog Cellular

MEO IEEE 802.15 HomeRF MMDS 2G Digital Cell/PCS
GSO PtoP uWave 2.5G (GPRS/EDGE)
3G

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 Ethernet Switch

PC Fly Cord

Patch cord
Patch Panel

Horizontal Cable

Network Closet

Information Outlet

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 PBX

Network Closet

Information Outlet

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 Structured Cabling makes it easy to add, move, change and
re-site individual employees or complete department's
communications equipment.
 Support data and traditional voice; no need for multiple
cabling systems in a building
 No downtime when reconnecting equipment
 Multiple conventional cable plants are expensive to
maintain and upgrade compared to a Structured Cabling
System
 Independent of protocols and networking technologies
 Covers current & future requirements
 Allows total flexibility

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 HORIZONTAL CABLING
Horizontal Cabling is the sub-section of
the cabling system from the workstation
outlet to the FD/IDF.

BACKBONE
Backbone cabling provides the main feeder cable in
a system. It can be either 'vertical style' in which it
runs vertically between floors in a building,
connecting FD/IDF's to the BD, or 'campus style' in
which it connects several BD's in separate buildings
in one centralized location.

FLOOR DISTRIBUTOR (FD) OR

INTERMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION FRAME
(IDF)
The FD/IDF accommodates all of the cross connect
facilities to interconnect work stations to active LAN
equipment (also located in the FD/IDF enclosure),
and backbone cabling to centralized processing
equipment installed elsewhere.

BUILDING DISTRIBUTOR (BD) OR MAIN

DISTRIBUTION FRAME (MDF)
The BD, provides a means of centralized processing
and switching systems to the vertical backbone cabling.

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 Structured Cabling System Design
 Categories of connectors and cable
 Class of Channels
 Correct installation procedures
 Testing guidelines

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 IEEE – Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

 ISO – International Standards Organization

 ANSI/EIA/TIA – American National Standards Institute /

Electrical Industries Association/Telecommunication
Industries Association

Consortium of manufacturers, vendors, users and other
interested parties responsible for the family of standards
associated with design, installation and use of structured
Cabling Systems.

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 Data Rate Media Distance

10 Base-2 10 Mbps Copper Coaxial 200 m

10 Base-5 10 Mbps Copper Coaxial 500 m

10 Base-T 10 Mbps Copper UTP 100 m

100 Base-TX 100 Mbps Copper UTP 100 m

100 Base-FX 100 Mbps 62.5/50 µm MM Fiber 2 km

9/10 µm SM Fiber 10 km

1000 Base-TX 1000 Mbps Copper UTP 100 m

1000 Base-SX 1000 Mbps 62.5 µm MM Fiber 220 m

50 µm MM Fiber 550 m

1000 Base-LX 1000 Mbps 50 µm MM Fiber 550 m

9/10 µm SM Fiber 5 km

1000 Base-LH 1000 Mbps 62.5/50 µm MM Fiber 550 m

9/10 µm SM Fiber 10 km

1000 Base-ZX 1000 Mbps 9/10 µm SM Fiber 70 km

Dispersion Shifted Fiber 100 km

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 A+C= 10m (combined)
 B = 90m (Permanent Link)
 D = 100m (Channel Link)

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 To distinguish between pairs, they are
colored each pair has designated Tip and
Ring conductors. Pair 1 can therefore be
designated T1 and R1. Both UTP & STP
conform to this standard

T1 - White Blue/Blue White - R1

T2 - White Orange/Orange White - R2

T3 - White Green/Green White - R3

T4 - White Brown/Brown White - R4

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 568A  568B

International ISDN standard
Most widely specified

Pairs 2 & 3 are transposed sequence. Also Known as
from 568B. 258A

Pairs 1 & 2 USOC compatible
Same as 568A but pairs 2 & 3
are transposed

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
T3 R3 T2 R1 T1 R2 T4 R4 T2 R2 T3 R1 T1 R3 T4 R4

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 Conduit

Used in environments where required by code or maximum protection
of the cable is desired or required. Typically constructed of one of the
following:
 Rigid metal conduit
 Rigid PVC
 Flexible
 Under Floor

Under floor duct is either sealed inslab floor or in fill placed on top of
slab (This added thickness to floor).

Cellular floor requires distribution cells located on lower level of
system. Provides service to workstations. Separated by power and
communication.

Raised floor consists of steel footings holding pedestals which support
the raised floor.
 Suspended Ceiling

Most common and cost effective pathway for running cable.

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End of Lecture

Any Questions?