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The quantity of data that can be carried between two points on a network in a given length of time is known as bandwidth. Typically, bandwidth is measured in bits per second and represented as a bitrate (bps). It is vital to know the bandwidth of a network or internet connection to determine the service’s quality and speed.
Transmission Modes of Communication: Bandwidth of Signals
Any signal that has been formed must be transferred from one point to another in order to be effective. In order to do this, each signal makes use of a medium to aid in transmission. This medium might be solid, liquid, gaseous, plasmatic or even vacuum, depending on the kind of signal and the transmission method employed to transmit it. Let’s have a look at a few of the many transmission media available today.
Amplitude Modulated Wave Detection
Solids
Solids are often used as a transmission medium in a variety of applications. A chunk of iron, for example, may allow sound to flow through it. When our ears are put on the track, we can hear a distant train, and when our ears are placed against a wall, we can hear sounds from another room and a distant train. The term “solid media” refers to materials such as fibre optic cables, glass and metals. Also, in amplitude modulation, the bandwidth is twice.
Liquids
Liquids may be used just as a wave transmission medium, with no other functions. Without the conduction currents that occur in water when the beaker or other utensil is heated, there would be no way for the water to boil. The ability of light to permeate liquids is demonstrated by the ability to view fish in an aquarium or pond.
Gases
When it comes to transmission, gaseous mediums are quite effective. If your friends shout at you loudly enough, you can always hear them calling your name from afar. Only via the use of air as a communication route is it possible to utilise mobile phones that do not need a cable connection.
Vacuum
We know that electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum because the sun’s light and heat travel across empty space on their way to the earth and back again. Each transmission media has a defined bandwidth limit, similar to that of a signal, which may be composed of a range of frequencies and hence has a specific bandwidth. This means that only at this bandwidth can a given wavelength pass through the medium.
It is common to measure the bandwidth of a signal in Hertz and it is also common to measure the bandwidth of the transmission medium in Hertz. As a result of superior knowledge and optimum use of the bandwidths available on different transmission mediums, modern communication is very powerful and advanced today.
This knowledge has proved to be essential in maintaining the quality and reliability of the medium and the integrity of the signal being sent from one site to another. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most recent transmission mediums and the bandwidths they provide.
Transmission Bandwidths in the Middle
The Coaxial Wire
Coaxial cable is a solid-state transmission medium used for long-distance communications in today’s modern world. It is constructed from a succession of copper wires that have been covered with a protective plastic coating to avoid damage. Their bandwidth might range between 750 and 6000 MHz depending on the model. The intended application of the system determines it. For example, in the case of a telephone voice cable, the bandwidth is around 4000 Mhz.
Fibre Optic Technology
Following their name, fibre optic cables, built of polymer fibres and are completely transparent, carry data in light. They are very dependable and provide just a small amount of signal attenuation. They are very thin, with some sizes being on the order of the thickness of a human hair in terms of thickness. These fibre tubes are then used to create a bundle of fibres bound together like rope fibres. In addition, they have a very wide frequency bandwidth range since they can operate at frequencies ranging from 1 TeraHertz to 1000 TeraHertz (1 TeraHertz = 1012 Hz).
Outdoors in the open
Almost all transmissions in everyday communication are carried out via free air, which is one of the most widely utilised transmission mediums, capable of carrying a wide range of data rates and bandwidths for diverse purposes. As an illustration:
- According to industry standards, AM broadcasts have a bandwidth of 1000 kHz and operate between 500 and 1600 kHz.
- FM broadcasts have a bandwidth of just 20 MHz and operate at frequencies ranging from 88 to 108 MHz, respectively.
- Televisions operate in the 54-72 MHz range for VHF frequencies and 400 MHz in the 420-890 MHz range for UHF frequencies, with a bandwidth of 18 MHz in the 54-72 MHz range.
- Wireless cellular devices operate within the frequency band of 840-935 MHz.
On the other hand, satellite communications use a frequency range of 3-7 GHz to communicate. Because of this, it is evident that open-air offers an extremely wide number of communication bandwidths that are suitable for use. The next step is to use the spectrum allotment that has been allocated.
Allotments for the Spectrum
A spectrum is a vast range of frequencies found in nature. Communications using cellular or digital technologies take advantage of this available capacity. These allocations were made feasible as a result of international agreements and policies. They often need an upgrade of their present systems and technologies.
For example, a 4G connection for cellular devices was recently made accessible to consumers in our country. In addition, the 5G spectrum will be made available in the next few years. With such wide bandwidths, it is possible to perform frequent, simple, trustworthy and ultra-fast data transmission operations.
Conclusion
The article discussed the bandwidth of the transmission medium, the basis of available bandwidth in different media and the optimal exploitation of these bandwidths in the modern era of technology. Read further for some frequently asked questions on the bandwidth of signals.
