In the last article A Fast Internet Connection - What makes it fast?, we discussed what an Internet Service Provider is, how it provides internet services to their users and what means and channels they use for this purpose.

So, let's continue from where we left off and discuss what unguided medias are

Unguided Media/Unbound Media:

Just as guided media meant the use of cables, unguided media are quite the opposite.

Unguided Transmission Media consists of a means for the data signals to travel but nothing to guide them along a specific path. The data signals transmitted through this media are not bound to a cabling media.

We will discuss three of the most prominent forms of unguided media viz. Terrestrial Microwave, Radio waves, Micro Waves, Infrared Waves and Communications Satellites.

Let's go through these channels one by one in brief, understand what the pros and cons for using each form of unguided media, and decide which is the best option for you.

Terrestrial Microwave

Terrestrial microwave involves earthbound microwave systems, which transmit high-speed radio signals in a line-of-sight path between relay stations spaced approximately 30 miles apart.

Terrestrial microwave media uses the atmosphere as the medium through which to transmit signals, and is used extensively for high-volume as well as long-distance communication of both data and voice in the form of electromagnetic waves.

However major disadvantage of terrestrial microwave is that it cannot bend around the curvature of the earth.

Radio Waves

Wireless networks do not require any physical media or cables for data transmission. Radio waves are an invisible form of electromagnetic radiation that varies in wavelength from around a millimeter to 100,000 km, making it one of the widest ranges in the electromagnetic spectrum. Radio waves are most commonly used transmission media in the wireless Local Area Networks.

Microwaves

Microwaves are radio waves with wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as short as one millimeter, or equivalently, with frequencies between 300 MHz (0.3 GHz) and 300 GHz.

These are used for communication, radar systems, radio astronomy, navigation and spectroscopy.

Infrared Waves

Infrared light is used in industrial, scientific, and medical applications. Night-vision devices using infrared illumination allow people or animals to be observed without the observer being detected.

Infrared tracking, also known as infrared homing, refers to a passive missile guidance system which uses the emission from a target of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared part of the spectrum to track it.

Communication Satellites

Communication satellites use the atmosphere (microwave radio waves) as the medium through which to transmit signals. A satellite is some solar-powered electronic device that receives, amplifies, and retransmits signals; the satellite acts as a relay station between satellite transmissions stations on the ground (earth stations).

They are used extensively for high-volume as well as long-distance communication of both data and voice. It is cost-effective method for moving large quantities of data over long distances. However, satellites are very expensive to develop and place in orbit and have an age limit of 7-10 years.

Signals weaken over long distances; weather conditions and solar activity can also cause noise interference. Anyone can listen in on satellite signals, so sensitive data must be sent in a secret, or encrypted, form.

Well that’s it on guided and unguided media. If this article helped you to choose the best means of communication to meet your needs, leave a comment below and let me know.

And like always, if you have any concerns, doubts or suggestions just click on ask questions at the left panel of your screen.

Thank You.