Through cables like copper wires and optical fibres, data is transmitted as an electromagnetic signal. This has a fault as magnetic fields are created and interfere with each other, which can distort the data being transferred.
Alexander G Bell created a solution for this with his creation of the “twisted par” cables. They are cables coiled around each other to reduce electromagnetic interference. The twisted wires protect each other from outside noise. They come in two forms:
- Shield Twisted Pair (STP) – very rare and expensive. Reduces interference further
- Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) – Most common, very cheap, all Ethernet, phone line
A coaxial cable transmission line that consists of a tube of electrically conducting material surrounding a central conductor held in place by insulators and that is used to transmit telegraph, telephone, and television signals. They are good because
Optical fibres propagate light waves instead of electromagnetic signals. It does this through total internal reflection. However, optical fibres are very small and fragile (human hair sized glass) and very expensive and difficult to make and handle. Optical fibres aren’t the dominant type of cable used in networks as they cost a lot more for the small increase it does over a small distance, meaning it is not needed for things such as networks, where cheaper cables to enough for the shorter distances.
My homes internet access is provided mostly by wifi. However machines we wish to have more speed on the internet we plug into the modem using an ethernet cable. I also have TVs and receivers such as Foxtel which are connected to ethernet cords. My Dad has set the house up in the way that there are minimal cords that are visible in the house. However behind displays and receivers a fair amount are hidden. Because there are 5 people in my family occasionally the internet can be slow, to counter this my dad has bought to routers that interconnect the house.
jmkibble 