Ülekandevahendid

Ülekandevahendid, also known as transmission media, are the physical pathways through which data signals travel from one device to another in a network. These pathways can be broadly categorized into two types: guided media and unguided media.

Guided media, also known as wired media, confine the signal to a specific path. The most common examples include twisted-pair cables, which are widely used in telephone networks and Ethernet local area networks (LANs), and coaxial cables, often found in cable television systems and older network installations. Fiber optic cables represent another significant type of guided media, transmitting data as pulses of light through thin strands of glass or plastic. They offer very high bandwidth and are immune to electromagnetic interference, making them suitable for long-distance communication and high-speed networks.

Unguided media, also known as wireless media, transmit signals through the air or space without a physical conductor. Radio waves are a prime example, used in broadcast radio, television, and wireless local area networks (WLANs) like Wi-Fi. Microwaves are another form, used for long-distance point-to-point communication and satellite communication. Infrared signals are also used for short-range communication, such as in TV remote controls and some personal area networks (PANs). The choice of transmission medium depends on factors such as distance, bandwidth requirements, cost, and environmental considerations.