Advantages and Disadvantages of Radio Transmission


Radio Transmission

Radio waves are useful for transmitting data over long distances through air medium as it uses radio signals for transmission. Radio waves are broadcasted with Amplitude Modulation and Frequency Modulation schemes which use antennas. To travel long distances, AM radio signals use the lower carrier in frequencies which is higher than FM broadcasting but lacks sound quality at the receiver end whereas AM signals have better bandwidth which produces good sound quality and supports stereo signals during transmission.

The radio waves used during transmission are omnidirectional, so signals can be propagated through all directions which provides a higher transmission rate. Antennas are used for the input sources in the forms of images or sounds that can be converted into electrical signals which are amplified by the amplifier then the antenna translates these signals into electromagnetic waves and these waves are used for communication through the channel. They can penetrate through walls, bridges, and highly elevated areas with a frequency range between 3 KHz to 1GHz. It can operate from extremely lower frequency (3 KHz) to extremely higher frequency (300GHz)

Network organization utilizes GSM 1800, 1900 MHz, and DECT for radio transmission to communicate with local devices without the need for cables or wires. Example of connecting desktop computer or laptop with printer within local area network.

Advantages of Radio Transmission

  • Radio waves can travel long distances and can reach through the air, elevated walls, mountains, buildings, furniture, void spaces, etc.

  • Radio transmission transmits signals to complex geographical areas and also incorporates the devices connected through mobile phones.

  • It provides a higher data transmission rate than infrared where data exchange happens in terms of infrared light waves.

  • Scalable in nature, any new devices can be added to the user’s required network by adding transmitters and receivers.

  • Radio waves can cover the earth’s atmosphere to send its radio signals to a radio telescope in an efficient way until weather conditions get worse.

  • Installation cost is less compared to other types of transmission since it does not require a cabling process, communication is initiated after setting up transmitter and receiver nodes and functions 24* 7 day and night for data transmission.

  • It is also flexible in terms of connecting end-to-end user communication to hybrid or mesh networks.

  • It is used in television areas to broadcast data signals and provides its services to mobile and devices.

  • Since they are omnidirectional so radio waves are propagated in all directions. Any active sending and receiving antennae can communicate with one another for data transmission.

  • Adaptable to all wireless devices like mobile phones, tablets, printers, smart devices, laptops, gaming devices, speaker sets, automated cars, etc.

Disadvantages of Radio Transmission

  • During signal transmission, the radio waves that reach the Earth are tiny in size and have poor strength, and contain lower energy photons that may lead to loss of signal. This issue is resolved by mapping the wide collection centers required by radio telescopes to derive an active signal.

  • Bad weather conditions like heavy thunderstorms, strong winds, or any severe natural calamities can affect radio transmission.

  • Radiofrequency emitting towers are installed far from the living area because waves transmitted have more lighting and it may affect people’s health.

  • As transmission can occur at longer distances, hackers can intrude on these signals and decrypt them to gain some confidential information.

  • It supports low frequency than other types of wireless transmissions so, it cannot handle more amount of data in a single time.

  • It requires power both at the transmitter and receiver ends in the case of landline telephones which uses electricity to make calls. So an efficient radio transmitter is needed at the broadcast station which functions day and night to send the radio signals.

  • Signal loses its strength beyond some geographical networks that do not support signal transmission

  • When interfered with other radio signals then proper communication may not happen.

Conclusion

Radio transmission is a method of transmitting data to shorter and longer distances covering towns, cities, and countries in the form of radio waves that are converted to electromagnetic signals. Radio waves used for sending and receiving data are amplified using AM or FM methods based on the environment.

These waves can be transmitted across multiple frequencies so radio signals can be accessed from many base stations. Best suited for data transmission to a wider area network that has multi-storage buildings, high beams, mountains, etc. But wavelength and signal strength are lost when signals are traveled beyond some geographical areas and it lacks security issues.

Proper encryption methods and security mechanisms are defined at transmission stations to avoid any malicious attacks. So, the user or vendor can choose radio transmission based on distance from sender to receiver end, transmission rate, supported bandwidth, frequency range, security techniques, and network traffic during a crowded network, etc. The pros and cons of radio transmission are listed above which gives a basic idea of key factors of transmitting data as electromagnetic signals through the network channel.

Updated on: 04-May-2023

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