190 likes | 418 Views
Bandwidth. Learning Objectives:. explain the importance of bandwidth when transmitting data; explain how different types of communication media govern the bandwidth available ; cables, wireless, optical. Bandwidth. maximum transmission rate of a communications channel
E N D
Learning Objectives: • explain the importance of bandwidth when transmitting data; • explain how different types of communication media govern the bandwidth available ; • cables, wireless, optical
Bandwidth • maximum transmission rate of a communications channel • measured in bits per second (bps) • Kbps, Mbps, Gbps • a measure of the capacity of a communications channel
Why is Bandwidth important? • the greater the bandwidth: • the more information the channel can carry, • the faster the information can travel to its destination • more users connected to the network without loss of speed • multimedia data require high bandwidth connections • due to the large size of the data files • 1 track mp3 = 4MB = 32Mbits • HD video requires 4x bandwidth of standard • low bandwidth = ‘jerky’ & unsynchronised video • need high bandwidth for streaming or video conferencing • e.g. iPlayer, YouTube, Skype
ADSL Broadband Advantages: • uses existing copper telephone line for connection to the Internet • no extra installation of cable is required (good for domestic installation) • ADSL provides an ‘always on' Internet access • telephone can be used at the same time. Disadvantages: • needs to be connected to a telephone exchange within a workable distance • no use for remote locations • downstream bandwidth is different to the upstream bandwidth. • downstream bandwidth is greater than upstream • majority of ADSL connections used to download from the Internet, • takes longer to upload an image than to download • takes longer send an email with attachments than to receive
ADSL Broadband Factors which affect the bandwidth on ADSL: • distance from the telephone exchange • electrical interference on the telephone line • local AM radio stations causing interference • other devices connected to the telephone line • e.g. fax machines
Learning Objectives: • explain how different types of communication media govern the bandwidth available ; • cables, • wireless, • optical
Copper Cable • used to cable LANs • data is sent via electrical pulses • using copper wire • 100Mbps bandwidth most common • 1Gbps & 10Gbps possible • relatively cheap to install • compared to optical cables • limited to ~100m maximum length • beyond this the data signal becomes too weak • prone to electrical interference • results in corrupted or lost data packets • reducing the overall data transmission rate
Optical Cable • used to cable LANs over long distances • >100m 100+km • uses infra-red lasers to convert data into light pulses • electrical 0s & 1s converted into light on/light off pulses • uses optical cable (fibre optic cable) to carry the data • cable consists of multiple thin glass strands
Optical Cable • used to cable LANs • over long distances (>100m 100+km) • uses infra-red lasers to convert data into light pulses • electrical 0s & 1s converted into light on/light off pulses • uses optical cable (fibre optic cable) to carry the data • cable consists of multiple thin glass strands • not susceptible to electrical interference • very little data loss • higher transmission rates than copper cables
Optical Cable • used to cable LANs • over long distances (>100m 100+km) • uses infra-red lasers to convert data into light pulses • electrical 0s & 1s converted into light on/light off pulses • uses optical cable (fibre optic cable) to carry the data • cable consists of multiple thin glass strands • not susceptible to electrical interference • very little data loss • higher transmission rates than copper cables • >10Tbps bandwidth possible • domestic cable ~20Mbps (Virgin Media cable ADSL)
Wireless • used to connect LANs • over short distances (<100m) • bandwidth less than copper cable or fibre optics • 54Mbps 802.11n most common (2010) • ~100Mbps now possible with 802.11n • distance limited to ~50m indoors (100m outdoors) • signal attenuated by walls, steel …. • prone to electrical interference • microwave ovens, mobile ‘phones, X-ray machines … • results in corrupted data packets & reduced data rate