How data travels?
Information through the internet are transmitted transmitted by two basic methods: wires and frequency waves through the air. Microwaves are high-frequency waves that travel through the air in order to transmit data. Microwaves can travel directly through the air to each individual host, or are relayed all around the world through satellites.
Satellites
Satellites are used to transfer information through microwaves over farther distances. Satellites orbit approximately 22,000 miles above the earth's surface. Satellites are a means of redirecting straight microwaves from only satellite dish to another. Satellites located all over the world and has the ability to transfer vast amounts of data to almost anywhere in the world.
Satellite Internet generally relies on three primary components: a satellite in geostationary orbit (sometimes referred to as a geosynchronous Earth orbit, or GEO), a number of ground stations known as gateways that relay Internet data to and from the satellite via radio waves (microwave), and a VSAT (very-small-aperture terminal) dish antenna with a transceiver, located at the subscriber's premises. Other components of a satellite Internet system include a modem at the user end which links the user's network with the transceiver, and a centralised network operations center (NOC) for monitoring the entire system.
Microwaves
The information travels through the air and into satellite dishes where the data in decoded and sent through copper lines to a host. Microwave transmission is only of the faster ways to transmit information, but are only useful for distances up to 30 miles. Because microwaves travel in a straight path, the curvature of the earth only allows the information on travel short distance.
Microwave links carry signals which are pulse code modulated (PMC). PMC is a form of digital modulation in which the microwaves are switched on and off in pulses of varying length. The length are arranged in binary code.
