AQA · A-Level · Physics
Course version: 7408 · Version from Sept 2016
Advantages and disadvantages of various transmission media. Students…
Full specification wording
Transmission media (A-level only): Advantages and disadvantages of various transmission media. Students should consider data transmission rate, cost, and security issues.
Transmission media carry data between points.
Checked against the AQA 7408 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 5
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Transmission media carry data between points. You must compare media such as copper cables (twisted pair, coaxial), optical fibres, and wireless (radio, microwave, satellite) in terms of data transmission rate, cost, and security. Copper is cheap and easy to install but has higher attenuation and lower bandwidth than fibre, and can be tapped. Fibre offers very high data rates and immunity to electromagnetic interference, but is more expensive to install and fragile. Wireless is convenient and mobile but can be intercepted, and its data rate depends on frequency and bandwidth. For each medium, you should be able to give at least one advantage and one disadvantage linked to rate, cost, or security, and justify a choice for a given context.
What earns the marks
- Identifies at least two transmission media, such as copper cable, optical fibre, and wireless.
- States an advantage of a medium in terms of data transmission rate, cost, or security.
- States a disadvantage of a medium in terms of data transmission rate, cost, or security.
- Compares media, for example fibre has higher data rate than copper but higher installation cost.
- Relates the choice of medium to a specific context, such as security needs or budget.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming fibre is always cheaper.
Put it right: Fibre usually has higher installation cost than copper, though it may have lower long-term maintenance.
Ignoring security in comparisons.
Put it right: Security is a required consideration, so discuss interception or tapping risks.
Confusing data rate with bandwidth.
Put it right: Data rate is the actual transmission speed, while bandwidth is the range of frequencies available, though they are related.
Exam tips
- Use a table to compare media across rate, cost, and security for clarity.
- Give a specific example, such as 'fibre offers data rates of 1 Gbit s⁻¹ over several kilometres'.
- Link your comparison to the context given in the question, such as a hospital or a home network.
Try the lesson
The start of the Transmission media (A-level only): Advantages and disadvantages of various transmission media. Students should consider data transmission rate, cost, and security issues. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A company is choosing a transmission medium for a new computer network. Which statement describes an advantage of optical fibre compared with copper cable?
Listen
Transmission media carry data between points. You must compare media such as copper cables (twisted pair, coaxial), optical fibres, and wireless (radio, microwave, satellite) in terms of data transmission rate, cost, and security. Copper is cheap and easy to install but has higher attenuation and lower bandwidth than fibre, and can be tapped. Fibre offers very high data rates and immunity to electromagnetic interference, but is more expensive to install and fragile. Wireless is convenient and mobile but can be intercepted, and its data rate depends on frequency and bandwidth. For each medium, you should be able to give at least one advantage and one disadvantage linked to rate, cost, or security, and justify a choice for a given context. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies at least two transmission media, such as copper cable, optical fibre, and wireless. States an advantage of a medium in terms of data transmission rate, cost, or security. States a disadvantage of a medium in terms of data transmission rate, cost, or security. Compares media, for example fibre has higher data rate than copper but higher installation cost. A common slip: Claiming fibre is always cheaper. Instead, fibre usually has higher installation cost than copper, though it may have lower long-term maintenance. Exam tip: Use a table to compare media across rate, cost, and security for clarity.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Data transmission rate
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Cost of installation and maintenance
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Security and interception
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Comparison of transmission media
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Data transmission rate
- The actual transmission speed of a medium, which is related to but distinct from bandwidth.
- Cost of installation and maintenance
- The expense of setting up and upkeeping a medium, which must be weighed against its other advantages.
- Security and interception
- The risk of a medium being tapped or intercepted, a required consideration when comparing media.
- Comparison of transmission media
- Weighing media such as copper, optical fibre, and wireless against each other in terms of data transmission rate, cost, and security.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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