Computers and other digital devices transmit information from one device to another through signals and transmission media. We are all so used to information traveling in various ways.
An example is when we speak on our telephones or a wire that carries the sound from our voice into the wall of the socket, where another cable takes the information to the local telephone for exchange.
A coaxial cable is made from pure copper surrounded by insulation material with an aluminum covering and used to transmit telephone, television, and data signals.
Fiber optic cable delivers the same types of signals but carries a much wider band of frequencies.
It is made up of thin, pliable glass and plastic tubes. Let’s discuss both cables in detail.
What is a Fiber-optic Cable?
A fiber optic cable is made up of thin strands of glass or plastic, known as optical fibers; one cable can have two or more strands.
Each strand is less than a tenth as thick as human hair, and it can carry about 25,000 phone calls, so it’s capable of carrying several million calls.
The structural component comprises glass or ultra-pure fused silica surrounded by dense glass or plastic cladding.
The cladding is coated with a tight or loose buffer to protect it from moisture.
The entire cable is then encased by an outer covering made of a substance like plastic, fibrous plastic, or Teflon.
How Fiber-optic Works?
As light travels down through a fiber optic cable, it repeatedly bounces off the walls.
The fiber’s core and the cladding bend the incoming light at a certain angle with their refractive index.
When a light signal is sent through the cable, it reflects off the core and cladding in a series of bounces, a process called total internal reflection.
Types of Fiber-optic Cables
We have two types of fiber optics: single-mode fiber and multimode fiber.
Single-mode Fiber
This type of optic fiber has a very thin core of about 5-10 microns in diameter.
It is generally used in telecommunications, and it operates at wavelengths of 1310nm or 1550nm. It is considered a long-distance application.
Multimode Fiber
Its core is about ten times the single-mode fiber. Its wavelength is about 850nm to 1300nm.
Because of its large core, it has a limited transmission distance by model dispersion compared to the single-mode fiber, and it supports more than one light mode from OM1 to OM5.
It is mainly used in short-distance transmission within buildings (such as a computer network).
Applications of Fiber Optic Cable
- Computer Networking – It allows users to send and receive information and files within seconds, which saves time and enhances efficiency.
- Cable Television—With their great bandwidth and speed, optical fiber cables are excellent solutions for high-definition televisions. They are also a cost-effective choice compared to the same quantity of copper wire.
- Lighting and Decoration—They can be used to decorate streets, offices, houses, and almost anywhere else because they are easy, economical, and attractive.
- Telephone—Optical fiber allows users to receive and transmit information simultaneously, effectively improving the time it takes for real-time communication.
- Internet—Fiber optic cables are less bulky and flexible when carrying data. They also help transmit a large amount of data at a very high speed, so they’re extensively used in internet cables.
- Space and Military Applications—This provides an ideal solution for data transmission in these areas since it concerns data security and confidentiality.
- Medicine—Fiber optics are widely applied to biomedical research and microscopy. They have been included in a surgical method, which could reduce the number and size of incisions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Speed – it is very fast in terms of transmission. | Cost – Optical fiber is expensive as it has to be manufactured precisely, and a laser light source costs a lot. |
| It carries a higher bandwidth | Fragility – Glass fiber is much more fragile and easily broken than a cable. |
| It uses noise rather than electricity; the sound is not an issue, though external light could create interference. | Installation and maintenance – all the joints have to be perfectly polished, sealed, and aligned light-tight because a cracked or rough center of the optical fiber can diffuse the light and then stop the signal from flowing. |
What is Coaxial Cable?
A coaxial cable, mostly called coax cable, is a popular electrical cable that transmits radio frequency signals from one point to another.
This technology has existed since the early 20th century, mainly used to connect satellite antenna facilities.
It is composed of a conductor, mainly copper, placed in the center and surrounded by an insulating sheath.
This sheath is also encased within an outer conductor of a metallic broad. A coaxial cable is an alternative to an ethernet cable.
What Does a Coaxial Cable Look Like?
Coaxial cables are round and distance thick because of their interior insulation layer.
Its size makes it look very different from an Ethernet or twisted pair cable.
How Do Coaxial Cables Work?
Coax cables work by carrying data in their center conductor, while their surrounding layers of shielding stop any signal loss and help reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).
It is a popular choice because the shield in the design allows the center conductor to transmit data quickly while still being protected from damage.
It is built up of four different layers, which are:
- Surrounding copper wire is a dielectric plastic insulator.
- It has a center conductor (usually a copper wire), which allows data and video to travel through
- The external layer is made of plastic to prevent damage to the internal layers.
- It also has a copper braided mesh that serves as a shield to prevent electromagnetic interference.
The first layer provides a distance between the core conductor and the outer layer, as well as some insulation.
The next layers, the shield, keep the electrical impulses and radio transmission out. The image below shows the different layers of the coax cable.
Types of Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cables have two major types, one with an impedance of 75 Ohms and the other with an impedance of 50 Ohms.
The ones with 75 Ohms are mostly used for video, while the 50s are used for data and wireless communications.
RF Coaxial Cable
These cables carry radio frequency signals. They are the standard input cable on TVs and feature a single pin that is plugged into the device’s RF (radio frequency) input.
RG-6
These have a larger conductor, so they provide better signal quality. They are also designed with thicker dielectric insulation and different interference shielding, allowing them to handle signals more effectively.
RG-59
This is a common cable in domestic settings, similar to the RG-6. It houses a thinner center conductor, making it a good choice for short-run and low-frequency transmissions.
RG-11
This is the thicker version of all the coaxial cables, which makes it difficult to work with. However, it offers a lower strength level than the RG-6 or the RG-59, meaning it can carry data for longer distances.
Applications of Coaxial Cable
The application of coaxial cables differs. It’s based on the type of cable.
- RG-11 is used for high-definition (HD) television
- RG-6 is mainly used for internet connectivity. It can run a long distance without signal loss and is a better fit for digital video signals.
- RG-59 is the best cable for CCTV systems, even though the RG-6 can also be used.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost- It is quite affordable compared to optical fiber | For it to travel for a longer distance, a repeater i necessary for each kilometre it travels when the communication devices are put at a longer distance. |
| Frequency – It has a better frequency characteristic compared to twisted pair cables and not to an optical fiber. | |
| Concerning signaling, coax cable supports both digital and analog signals. | |
| Interference – It is less prone to interference due to the construction of the cable. |
Comparison Chart
| Basis | Optical Fiber | Coaxial Cable |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Resistive, radiated, and dielectric loss. | While coaxial cable, the transmission of the signals is in electrical form. |
| Efficiency | High | Low |
| Losses in cable | Dispersion, bending, absorption, and attenuation. | Dispersion, bending, absorption, and attenuation. |
| Composition of the cable | Plastics and Glass Metal foil, | Plastic and metal wire (Normally copper). |
| Bending effect | Can affect signal transmission. | The bending of the wire does not affect the signal transmission. |
| Cost | Highly expensive | Less expensive |
| External magnetic field | Doesn’t affect the cable | Affects the cable |
| Installation of the cable | Difficult | Easy |
| The weight of the cable | Lighter | Heavier comparatively |
| Bandwidth provided | Very high | Moderately high |
| Data transmission rate | 2 Gbps | 44.736 Mbps |
| Noise immunity | High | Intermediate |
| The diameter of the cable | Smaller | Larger |
1 comment
Nicely explained about Coaxial cable and Fibre optic cable. Coaxial cable is not too expensive and perfect for home installation or medium-capacity data transfer whereas fibre optic cable is a little expensive and connects several devices simultaneously.