Physical Characteristics of a Network

Transmission Techniques

Baseband transmission -

To transmit encoded signals over cable, we mainly use two techniques such as Baseband transmission and broadband transmission.

Baseband systems use digital signaling over a single frequency. Signals flow in the form of discrete pulses of electricity or light.

As the signal propagates along the cable, it gradually decreases in strength and can become distorted.

To overcome this problem Baseband system sometime s use repeaters.

Repeaters receive an incoming signal and retransmit it at its original strength and definition. Thereby increasing the practical length of a cable.

Broadband Transmission -

Broadband systems use analog signaling and a range of frequencies.

With analog transmission the signals employed are continuous and non discrete.

Signals travel across the physical medium in the form of electromagnetic or optical waves.

To regenerate analog signals broadband systems use amplifiers.

Because the signal flows in broadband transmission is unidirectional, there must be two paths for data flow.

The two common ways to accomplish this are

i) Mid-split broadband configuration divided the bandwidth into two channels; one is used for transmitting signals, the other is for receiving.

ii) In dual cable broadband configuration, each device is attached to two cables. One is used to send and the other to receive.