Transmission

Transmission refers to the act of transferring something from a source to a recipient, such as energy, information, or pathogens. The term is used across disciplines to describe conduits, channels, or processes that enable transfer and reception.

In biology and medicine, transmission refers to how a pathogen spreads between hosts. Modes include direct contact, droplet, airborne, fecal-oral, vector-borne, and vehicle transmission. The efficiency is described by the basic reproduction number R0 and factors such as incubation period and shedding. Control measures include vaccination, hygiene, ventilation, sterile technique, and vector control.

In communications and information theory, transmission concerns conveying data or signals across a medium. This includes analog and digital transmission, channels with bandwidth and latency constraints, and techniques such as modulation, encoding, multiplexing, and error control. Media include copper, fiber optic, and wireless.

In electrical power engineering, transmission refers to delivering electric energy from generation facilities to distribution networks. High-voltage transmission lines, substations, and transmission corridors minimize losses, with alternating current being standard in most grids.

In mechanical engineering, transmission describes components that convey motion and power, such as gear trains, belt drives, and torque converters in vehicles.

In genetics and heredity, transmission denotes the passage of genetic information from parents to offspring, following Mendelian or more complex inheritance patterns.