What is Coaxial Cables?

This type of cable consists of solid wire core surrounded by one or more or wire Shields each separated by some kind of plastic insulator. The inner core carries the signal ll and the shield provides the ground. The coaxial cable has the high electrical properties and it is suitable for high speed communication.  while it is less popular than twisted pair. It is widely used for television signal full stop in the form of (CATV) cable, it provides a cheap means of transporting multichannel television signals around Metropolitan areas. It is also used by large corporations in building security systems.

 The data transmission characteristic of coaxial cables are considerably better than those of twisted pear. This opens the possibilities of using it as the basis for a shared cable network with part of Band with being used for data traffic.

Advantages:-

• The data transmission characteristic of coaxial cable are considerably better than those of twisted pair cable.
• The coaxial cable can be used as the basis for a shared cable network.
• The coaxial cables can be used for broadband transmission that is several channels can be transmitted simultaneously (as with cable tv).
• Offer higher bandwidth upto 400 mbps.

Disadvantages:-

• Expensive compared to twisted pair cables.
• The coaxial cables are not compatible with twisted pair cable.

Types of Coaxial Cables:-

The two most commonly used types of coaxial cables are thicknet and thinnet.

(i) Thicknet.

This form of coaxial cable is thicker than thinnet. The thicknet coaxial cable segments (while joining nodes of a network) can be up to 500 metres long.

(ii) Thinnet.

This form of goggle cable is thinner and it can have maximum segment length of 185 metre that is, using this cable, nodes having maximum distance of 185 metres can be joined.