COMMUNICATION CHANNEL
COMMUNICATION CHANNEL
Communication channels carry the data from one computer to another
Two categories of communication channels
Physical Connections
Ethernet cable – consists of twisted pair cable; slowest; being phased out by more advanced and reliable media
Coaxial cable – single solid copper core; 80 times transmission of twisted pair; television and computer networks
Fiber optic – 26,000 times capacity of twisted pair cable; more secure and reliable; best over limited distances; lighter, more reliable, and less expensive than coaxial cable
Wireless Connections
Wireless connections do not use a solid substance to connect; uses the air itself
Types of wireless connections are:
RF – uses radio signals, smartphones and Internet enabled devices
WiFi – wireless Fidelity communicates over short distances. WiFi standards and speeds are shown in the table.
Bluetooth – short range radio communication standard, 33 ft, wireless headsets, printer connections, hand held devices
WiMax – Worldwide Interoperability for microwave Access – allows greater distances for Wi-Fi.
Microwave
Uses high-frequency radio waves
Provides line of sight communications, travel in a straight line
Used for short distances
Satellite uses satellites orbiting about 22,000 miles above the earth as microwave relay stations; many of these offered by Intelsat, the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium which is owned by 114 governments and forms a worldwide communications system
GPS (Global Positioning system) use a network of 24 satellites owned and managed by the Defense Department which continuously sends location information to earth
Infrared
Light waves used over short distances
Sometimes called line of sight communications
Sending and receiving devices must be in clear view of one another
Modem – modulator-demodulator
Modulation (key term) is the name of the process for converting from digital to analog
Demodulation (key term) is the name of the process for converting
Communication channels carry the data from one computer to another
Two categories of communication channels
Physical Connections
Ethernet cable – consists of twisted pair cable; slowest; being phased out by more advanced and reliable media
Coaxial cable – single solid copper core; 80 times transmission of twisted pair; television and computer networks
Fiber optic – 26,000 times capacity of twisted pair cable; more secure and reliable; best over limited distances; lighter, more reliable, and less expensive than coaxial cable
Wireless Connections
Wireless connections do not use a solid substance to connect; uses the air itself
Types of wireless connections are:
RF – uses radio signals, smartphones and Internet enabled devices
WiFi – wireless Fidelity communicates over short distances. WiFi standards and speeds are shown in the table.
Bluetooth – short range radio communication standard, 33 ft, wireless headsets, printer connections, hand held devices
WiMax – Worldwide Interoperability for microwave Access – allows greater distances for Wi-Fi.
Microwave
Uses high-frequency radio waves
Provides line of sight communications, travel in a straight line
Used for short distances
Satellite uses satellites orbiting about 22,000 miles above the earth as microwave relay stations; many of these offered by Intelsat, the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium which is owned by 114 governments and forms a worldwide communications system
GPS (Global Positioning system) use a network of 24 satellites owned and managed by the Defense Department which continuously sends location information to earth
Infrared
Light waves used over short distances
Sometimes called line of sight communications
Sending and receiving devices must be in clear view of one another
Modem – modulator-demodulator
Modulation (key term) is the name of the process for converting from digital to analog
Demodulation (key term) is the name of the process for converting