Name three transmission media for telemetry and a basic advantage of each.

• A. Antenna selection only.
• B. RF wireless (long-range, mobility); fiber optic (high bandwidth, low loss); cellular/IP networks (ubiquity and cost-efficiency).
• C. Only fiber optic with high cost.
• D. Only RF wireless with short range.

Answer: (B)

In telemetry, data must travel from sensors to a collector, and the best path depends on distance, mobility, and data rate. The three common transmission media are RF wireless, fiber optic, and cellular/IP networks, each with a clear advantage. RF wireless offers long-range communication and supports mobility without wired links, making it ideal when devices are dispersed or moving. Fiber optic provides very high bandwidth and extremely low signal loss, which is great for transmitting large amounts of data over fixed paths or in environments where cables are practical. Cellular/IP networks leverage existing infrastructure to give wide coverage and cost-efficiency, enabling easy deployment across broad areas without building a dedicated network.

Options that focus on only a single factor or a single medium miss how telemetry can leverage multiple paths. Antenna selection alone isn’t a complete transmission medium, and claiming only fiber or only RF is appropriate ignores other viable deployment options and their respective benefits.