Have you ever wondered about how wireless transmission media works? How is it that devices that have no visible connection to each other are able to send and receive data? If you are curious about these things keep reading. In this article, we will help you gain an understanding of the function of satellites, infrared, and microwave. In this article we will cover:
- What are wireless transmission media;
- What is satellite transmission media;
- Definition of an infrared transmission media;
- What is microwave technology; and
- What a microwave network is.
What is a transmission media?
A transmission media refers to the path used to transfer data from a sender📱to a receiver📲. There are two types of transmission media: wired (guided) and wireless (unguided).
What is wireless transmission media?
Wireless transmission media refers to the technology used to transfer data and information wirelessly – without any physical connection.
Some types of wireless transmission media include:
- Radio waves,
- Microwaves;
- Infrared;
- Satellite communication; and
- Bluetooth.
If you are interested in network security, you should read about the intranet, extranet, and internet to learn about how they differ and their security levels.
What is satellite transmission media?
Satellite transmission media involves the use of communication satellites in space to transmit data, voice, and video signals over long distances. These satellites orbit the Earth and facilitate various communication services, including television broadcasting, internet access, telephone calls, and global positioning systems (GPS). Satellite transmission provides widespread coverage and connectivity across vast geographical regions, particularly in remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure is impractical or unavailable.
What is infrared
Infrared (IR) radiation represents a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves. Humans cannot see it, but they can perceive it as heat. People commonly use infrared radiation in various applications, including remote controls, communication systems, and heating. It divides into near-infrared, mid-infrared, and far-infrared, depending on its wavelength range. Infrared radiation frequently finds use for its capability to penetrate certain materials, identify heat signatures, and wirelessly transmit data over short distances.
What is infrared transmission media?
Infrared transmission media refers to the transmission of data or information through light waves, better known as infrared radiation. It is a type of mobile technology used to transmit data over short distances. Infrared transmission is used to transmit data to devices within a line of sight. Five devices that use infrared communication technology are:
- TV remote controls: Most television remote controls emit infrared (IR) signals to communicate with the TV, enabling users to change channels, adjust volume, and control other functions.
- DVD and Blu-ray players: Remote controls for DVD and Blu-ray players also employ infrared communication to transmit commands to the player, such as play, pause, stop, and skip.
- Air conditioner remote controls: Many air conditioner units feature remote controls that emit infrared signals to adjust temperature settings, fan speed, and mode settings.
- Smartphones with infrared blasters: Some smartphones come with infrared blasters enabling them to function as universal remote controls for various infrared-enabled devices, such as TVs, DVD players, and air conditioners.
- Infrared data transfer devices: Infrared data transfer devices, like infrared ports on older laptops and PDAs, utilize infrared communication to transfer data between devices over short distances. While less common now, they were widely used before the prevalence of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
What is microwave transmission media?
Microwave transmission media refers to the use of microwave frequencies or microwave technology to transmit data in the form of electromagnetic waves. This type of technology transmits data over long distances. Some examples of microwave transmission media are:
- Microwave Radio: This transmission medium uses antennae to transmit and receive signals over short and medium distances.
- Satellite communications: some satellites use radio waves to communicate between orbit and earth.
- Terrestrial Microwave Links: This transmission medium is often found in telecommunication networks and is used for high-capacity data transmission.
- Microwave Backhaul: This type of microwave transmission media uses microwave links for backhaul, connecting the base station to the core network.
To learn about the types of devices used in network connectivity visit our article on network switches, modem, and adapters.