What are the types of transmission media ?

Signals are usually transmitted over some transmission media that are broadly classified in to two categories.


Guided Media:


These are those that provide a conduit from one device to another that include twisted-pair, coaxial cable and fiber-optic cable. A signal traveling along any of these media is directed and is contained by the physical limits of the medium. Twisted-pair and coaxial cable use metallic that accept and transport signals in the form of electrical current. Optical fiber is a glass or plastic cable that accepts and transports signals in the form of light.


Unguided Media:


This is the wireless media that transport electromagnetic waves without using a physical conductor. Signals are broadcast either through air. This is done through radio communication, satellite communication and cellular telephony.




Two types of wires/cables are used here,



1.Mostly ” straight thru cable”/Straight cable (cat5e)


It is 8-wire arranged in 4 pairs.


It is UTP (unshielded twisted pair)


2. Cross cable


Practical Requirments for arranging wire:


* Crimping tool – for crimping wire


* RJ 45 connector – 8 pin


* Cat5 cable






Arrangement of wire in RJ45 connector is based on colour combination


For Straight thru cable:Order from 1 to 8 pins


1. orange-white


2. orange


3. green-white


4. blue


5. blue-white


6. green


7. brown-white


8. brown