Communication is a process of transferring data or information between two or more entities. The communication could be verbal, non-verbal, via electronic means and written. Transmission is medium that transmits the message from one point to another point. It can be both tangible like cables and intangible like wireless communication medium.
The transmission media is divided broadly into two categories; guiding and non-guiding media. Guiding media are the one that is confined within the boundary of the medium, whereas non-guiding media is not confined within boundary yet can spread over the specified area.
Auxiliary transmission medium is an external media used to facilitate the transmission of data in a network. It is used either to bridge or connect two or more distant points or to supplement another media, such as wire or fibre. Auxiliary transmission medium can be either coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, electrical power line, optical fibre or wireless (like radio, microwave and infrared).
Coaxial cable is defined as a two-wire transmission line consisting of a solid metal conductor relative to a center axis, mainly used for television transmission and local area networks due to their thick metal shield. Coaxial cable can be used in the transfer of digital data at high speed. It is able to maintain the signal integrity over the entire distance, and it does not radiate the signal.
Twisted Pair cables serve as a communication medium where the two directions of data are carried over the same cable. By intertwining the wires pair together, it prevents the interference of data signals and protects it from external signals. Twisted pair cables are available in various gauges of thickness and shielding structures. This type of cable is often used to connect a computer to the network por
The Electrical Power Line is one of the most well-known medium used for transmission of data in Utility Automation Networks. It is used to reduce the cost of communications infrastructure by utilizing the already available power lines. Electrical power line relies on high frequencies that travel through the power cables and used for communications.
Optical fibre is an extremely thin and flexible cable also used for transmission media. It transmits data in the form of light, which is concealed in the transparent conducting strand in the middle of the cable. It is the fastest data transfer medium and offers high data security with its strong resistance to interference.
Finally, the usage of wireless for data transfer is becoming increasingly common. Radio, microwaves and infrared signals are some of the most used forms of transmission. Radio is used to transmit voice and data over long distances without the need of wires. Microwaves are used for very high frequency signals in the gigahertz range (GHz) and used in cellular networks, online broadband systems and satellite communications. Infrared is used to transfer data over short distances and is used in some consumer technologies.
In conclusion, auxiliary transmission media is used to facilitate data transfer in a network. It can be either coaxial, twisted pair cables, electrical power line, optical fibre or wireless. Each has its own advantages, and the selection should depend on the requirements of the application.
