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Module 1: Physical Layer & Data Communication

20242m

Consider the following:

  1. Twisted pair cables
  2. Microwaves and Satellite Signals
  3. Repeaters
  4. Analog Transmissions
  5. Fiber optics
    Which of the above is considered as (a) signal transmission medium in data communications?
    (i) (1) and (5)
    (ii) (1) (2) and (5)
    (iii) (1) and (2)
    (iv) (1) (2) (3) and (5)
Worked SolutionAI Assisted

Answer: (ii) (1) (2) and (5)

A transmission medium is the physical path over which the signal travels from transmitter to receiver; media are either guided (wired) or unguided (wireless). Twisted pair (1) and fibre optics (5) are guided media, while microwaves and satellite signals (2) form the unguided category. All three carry the signal itself, so (1), (2) and (5) are correct, which is option (ii).

Repeaters (3) are active network devices that regenerate and retransmit a weakened signal - they sit on the medium but are not a medium themselves. Analog transmission (4) is a signalling technique (how bits are represented as a waveform), not a medium.

The remaining options fail for a single reason each: (i) omits the unguided medium (2), (iii) omits fibre (5), and (iv) wrongly includes the repeater (3), which is a device rather than a medium.

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