How do digital signals transmit over different media?

Digital signals transmit over different media through the conversion of data into binary code, which is then sent via electromagnetic waves.

Digital signals are a type of data transmission that convert information into binary code, a series of 1s and 0s. This binary code is then transmitted as an electromagnetic wave over various media such as wires, fibre optic cables, or wireless signals. The receiving device decodes the binary information back into its original form. This method of transmission is used in a wide range of technologies, from computers and mobile phones to digital television and radio.

The transmission medium can greatly affect the quality and speed of digital signal transmission. For example, wired connections, such as Ethernet cables, can provide a stable and fast transmission rate, but their reach is limited by the physical length of the cable. On the other hand, wireless signals, such as Wi-Fi or mobile data, have a broader reach but can be affected by interference from other devices or physical obstacles.

Fibre optic cables are another common medium for transmitting digital signals. These cables contain thin strands of glass or plastic that transmit data as pulses of light. This method of transmission is incredibly fast and can carry large amounts of data over long distances with minimal signal loss. However, fibre optic cables are more expensive to install and maintain than other types of transmission media.

In all cases, the digital signals are encoded and decoded by devices known as modems (modulator-demodulator). The modem on the sending end converts the digital data into a form suitable for transmission over the chosen medium. This could be electrical signals for wired connections, light signals for fibre optic cables, or radio waves for wireless connections. The modem on the receiving end then decodes the transmitted signals back into digital data.

In summary, digital signals transmit over different media by being converted into a form suitable for that medium, sent as electromagnetic waves, and then decoded back into digital data by the receiving device. The choice of transmission medium can greatly affect the speed, quality, and cost of the data transmission.