Übertragungsmedium

Übertragungsmedium refers to the physical path or channel through which data or signals are transmitted from a sender to a receiver. In telecommunications and computer networks, these media are essential for enabling communication. They can be broadly categorized into two main types: guided and unguided.

Guided media, also known as wired media, use a physical pathway to confine the signal. Examples include twisted-pair cables, which are commonly used in telephone lines and Ethernet networks, and coaxial cables, often found in cable television systems. Fiber optic cables, which transmit data as light pulses through thin strands of glass or plastic, represent another important type of guided medium, offering high bandwidth and speed.

Unguided media, also known as wireless media, transmit signals through the air or space without a physical conductor. This category includes radio waves, microwaves, and infrared signals. Wireless communication technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks rely on unguided media for transmission. The choice of Übertragungsmedium depends on various factors such as the required bandwidth, transmission distance, cost, and environmental conditions. Each medium has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of speed, reliability, security, and susceptibility to interference.