Data communication
Tier list
Transmission media ranked by bandwidth
Ranking cables by how much data they can carry. Your hostel Wi-Fi won't like this.
Quick check · tap an answer to continue
Lesson notes
Key points
- Twisted pair: Twisting cuts crosstalk, but copper loss limits bandwidth over long runs.
- Coaxial cable: Shielding gives it more bandwidth than twisted pair, used in cable TV.
- Microwave / radio: No cables to lay, great for towers, but shared spectrum limits capacity.
- Optical fibre: Light in glass gives enormous bandwidth, low loss and no electromagnetic interference.
Takeaway: Fibre wins on bandwidth, distance and immunity to interference.
Quick check: Which medium is immune to electromagnetic interference?
- Coaxial cable
- Optical fibre
- Twisted pair
Fibre carries light, not electrical current, so EMI cannot affect it.
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