NETWORK OVERVIEW

Network overview

Network overview

Twisted Pair Copper Wire

Twisted pair cable consists of two insulated copper wires that are twisted in a helical, like DNA molecule. Thus, the twisted pair is a circuit that can transmit data (Bradley, 2007).

Characteristics

It is limited in distance, bandwidth and data rate. Another important thing to note is that the attenuation is a function strongly dependent on frequency. Interference and external noise are also important factors that are used by outside coverage braiding. For analog signals, it requires amplifiers every 5 or 6 miles, and to digital signals every 2 or 3. In analog transmissions point to point, the band width can reach 250 kHz. In digital signal transmission over long distance, data rate is not too big, not very effective for these applications. In the twisted pair cable with four pairs, you normally only use two pairs of conductors, one for receiving (cables 3 and 6) and one for transmit (wires 1 and 2), although we cannot do both things at once, having a half-duplex transmission (Bradley, 2007).

Usage

The usage of twisted pair is common in telecommunication lines, except for some frequencies (Doug, 2005).

Advantages and Disadvantages

The most significant advantage of using twisted pair wire is that it costs less. It permits high number of workstations per segment. It involves ease of performance and troubleshooting. It also facilitates pre-wired in place or anywhere. Its usage involves high error rates at high speeds. It offers limited bandwidth. There is low immunity to noise and low immunity to crosstalk effect. It also involves high cost of equipment and a little distance (100 meters per segment) (Doug, 2005).

Coaxial Cable

The coaxial cable is a transmission line or unbalanced connection used in high frequency consisting of a cable with two conductors. The central core of the cable which can be either mono or multi stranded wire with copper or silver plated copper or copper-plated steel, is surrounded by a material dielectric (insulator). The dielectric is surrounded by a conductive braid (or aluminum foil wrapped), called shielding, and an insulating sheath and protective (Frederic, 2009).

Characteristics

Mechanical characteristics of the coaxial cable include the nature and size of the driver, diameters inside and outside the sheath of the central conductor (it is sometimes hollow), the nature of the dielectric. Electrical characteristics of coaxial cable include its characteristic impedance, standardized to 75 ohms for the TV (SAT & DVB-T), FM radio, video or audio, and 50 ohms ...