Introduction
Fiber optic cable and coaxial cable are both used in data transmission. Today, various information networks use either fiber optic cable or coaxial cable in order to transmit information between several telecommunication devices such as telephones, radios, television sets among others.
Both cables have advantages and disadvantages, which a user should consider before making a choice. For instance, a user should consider the distance of connection and the amount of data to transmit. Therefore, this paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of fiber optic cable verses coaxial cable.
Description of Fiber Optic Cable and Coaxial Cable
A fiber optic cable is made of an ultra-fine fiberglass core, which is protected by an outer covering (Shelly 493). The cables use light in order to transmit data via tinny fiberglass cores known as silica. On the other hand, coaxial cables transmit data through copper cores, “which are surrounded by a dielectric insulator, a woven copper shield, and a plastic sheath” (Shelly 493).
Therefore, the coaxial cables are properly shielded from any kind of interference by environmental conditions. Coaxial cables also depend on electricity as a medium of transferring data. Fiber optic and coaxial cables exist in various forms.
Advantages of Fiber Optic Cable Verses Coaxial Cable
Fiber optic cables have several advantages over coaxial cables. First, fiber optic cables carry large volumes of data over long distances without much loss of information. This is made possible due to the several silica cores that make up the fiber optic cables. However, coaxial cables have a limited capacity of data transmission and often suffer from signal leakage leading to weak signals.
Second, the fiber optic cables are smaller and lighter as compared to coaxial cables. Therefore, installations of fiber optic cables require lesser space and engineers also find it easier to handle the fiber optic cables.
Third, fiber optic cables enhance data security because it is difficult to tap information easily from the network system. Additionally, optical fibers are “immune to electromagnetic interference from radio signals, car ignition systems, and lightning” (Bagad and Dhotre 8). Last, fiber optic cables incur much less operating cost because they consume little electric power.
Disadvantages of Fiber Optic Cables Verses Coaxial Cables
Despite the advantages that fiber optic cables have over coaxial cables, they also have a number of disadvantages. For instance, optical fibers are more expensive as compared to coaxial cables that are cheaper (Bagad and Dhotre 7). Therefore, a number of people are not in a position to install them.
Similarly, installations of optical fibers require well-trained personnel because their installation is usually difficult as opposed to the installation of coaxial cables. Last but most important, fiber optic cables are more suitable in transmission of data over long distances hence coaxial cables are more suitable for data transmission over short distances.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that fiber optic cables are more efficient and effective in data transmission as compared to coaxial cables. Fiber optic cables help in the transmission of large volumes of data over long distances without interference from electromagnetic noise. On the other hand, coaxial cables are cheaper to install but only suitable for data transmission over short distances due to signal leakage, which leads to weak signals.
Works Cited
Bagad, Vincent and Andrew Dhotre. Data Communication and Networking. New York: Technical Publications, 2009. Print.
Shelly, Gary B. Discovering Computers. New York: Cengage Learning, 2008. Print.