Comparison between Fiber Optic Cable and Wireless Communication - Research Paper Example

Comparison between Fiber Optic Cable and Wireless Communication A fiber optic cable is a cable containing strands of glass fibers, which are individually insulated with plastic layers. The fibers are placed in tubes that are designed to provide protection in different types of environments. The cables were developed to replace traditional copper cables which relatively offered less capacity and were more vulnerable to electrical interference. This cable converts different kinds of data such as text, emails, video and images into a stream of light that travels through it from a sender and converts it back into its original form on the receiving end. On the other hand, wireless communication involves conversion of data into electromagnetic waves for transmission and it is converted back to its original form as it gets to the receiver. There has been a debate on the most superior communication medium between fiber optic cable and wireless communication. Various technological gadgets such as Blackberries and Smart phones are designed to connect to wireless mode of data transfer. This mode has also enabled stores, business enterprises and other organizations to provide free access to the internet without hooking wire to every computer or laptop. However, as Wright and Reynders, (42) explains, some wireless services do not work in some cities. This leads to the preference for the fiber optic cables which are also believed to higher maximum speeds especially when networks become congested. In most parts of the world, communication systems are increasingly adopting the use of both wireless and fiber optic cable transmissions. This research paper will examine the similarities and differences between these modes of data transmission in order to determine how well or not each suits specific situations. In wireless communications, a radio channel may be used; however, it is susceptible to noise interference (Varaiya 315). These interferences include blockage and multi paths which change over time due to user movements. This affects the range, data rate and reliability of wireless links. Hence, the biggest challenge with wireless communication is that an environment is a factor in transmission. For instance, an indoor user may experience higher data rates which is reliable than an outside user who is exposed to certain environmental conditions like water vapor and oxygen. Tall building and other atmospheric absorption between the transmitting and receiving antennas may also affect wireless transmission. Wireless systems use atmosphere as their transmission medium which is enabled through radio signals. The received signal may also experience interference from other users in the same frequency band. Other components like path loss determine how the average received signal power decreases with distance between transmitter and receiver. Wireless medium is also prone to signal attenuation resulting from obstruction from trees and other tall objects. Wide area wireless data services provide low to high data rate services. This depends on the coverage of a few base stations mounted on towers, rooftops which are transmitting at high power to enable signal transmission and delivery from the sender to the intended receiver (Subramanian, Timothy and Rani 81). This is enabled by a link that carries data between two physical systems. Wireless transmission purely relies on transmitters, receivers, base stations or any medium depending on the technology that relays the IP data across the network. Currently, wireless networks can handle limited speed due to various factors involved in during transmission. Radio signals running on frequencies up to 2 GHz other wireless networks can support 70 Mbps data speed. In addition, in wireless networks, transmission is via three or more routes, one of it being a line of sight transmission. Transmission is impaired by free space loss where wireless communication signal disperses with distance. Wireless networks utilize code division multiple access where several wireless broadcast channels that enable users share the same frequency through some kind of sequencing. This enables users to transmit simultaneously with no interference. In fiber optic, transmission of data through the fiber requires an optical source and a modulation technique, a method of transmitting the energy and a detector to extract the information. A cladding, serves as a reflective layer, keeping the light signal flowing inside the core. A fiber cable may consist of only a single fiber strand, but in general, multiple strands make up a cable. The light signals that travel through the optical fiber in a closed medium in contrast to an open medium in wireless networks. It is transmitted and received by electronic equipment on the fiber end called fiber termination equipment. Optical fiber propagates light signal carrying data by means of total internal reflection. Wave division multiplexers can transmit with speeds having capacities of 100 Gbps. In fiber optic transmission, it involves pulses of light in a 1 bit and an absence of light denoted by a 0 bit. A repeater in fiber cable is only needed at about 50 km on long lines as compared to wireless networks where an intended device is supposed to be within a range where it can receive signals. Laser over single mode, 1300 nanometer laser over 9 micron fibers can transmit up to ten kilometers as compared to multimode fiber that can extend to two kilometers. Similar to wireless networks, fiber optic signals can be distorted during propagation due to dispersion, spreading of light pulses and attenuation which is the reduction in power during transmission. In fiber transmission, power loss is attributed to the splices between the fiber and the receiver. In wireless networks, it is caused by climatic conditions or the range of the receiving device that is within the network. Another difference between the two is their mode of transmission. Fiber optics use light pulses in while networks use transmission in the radio and microwaves in the frequencies in the range of 1GHz to 40 GHz. Fiber optic due to its carrying capacity is normally used in data backbone networks, metropolitan trunks, rural exchange trunks and subscriber loops with capacities in the range of 45Mbps to 2.5Gbps. SONET fiber links have the capacity to carry up to 10gbps. Fiber optic is not also affected by power surges, electromagnetic interference, power failures or any other harsh factory environments. On the other hand, wireless networks are easily affected by electromagnetic interference, florescence tubes, power failures and geographical features such as hilly places. Again in wireless technology, the devices like routers, access points have to be powered all through to enable it transmit signal and be within a range where it can receive the signal. For fiber, the cable only needs to be buried underground for data transmission to occur aided by pulse light. In terms of costs, fiber optic comes in two different main types. Plastic fiber is cheaper and can be used for short haul links which moderately high losses (Wilson, Zabih and Izzat 15). This type of fiber has also greater repeating space. Fewer repeaters mean lower costs, and few sources of error. Besides, fiber optic have higher data throughput than wireless networks. It is best suited where network performance is critical (Belding et al 58). This is because it can sustain higher network load than those of wireless networks Wireless networks are aided by devices that are cheaper, and can be configured easily either through directional or omni-directional to enable signal transmission. In fiber optics, there are configurations for different subscriber loops such as fiber to the curve, fiber to the office and fiber to the home (DeCusatis 55). This requires splicing of the cables and connecting them to enable seamless flow of data. This is much complex and requires precise physical alignment. Routing and switching is both needed in wireless networks and fiber optic. If data transmission is to occur though routing fiber optic signals, then the process is more complex as compared to wireless networks, which involve configurations on the switch and router. If additional points in fiber optics are needed then splicing and digging up the underground trench must be done. This is not easy to perform frequently. Fiber optics is mostly used for binary digital signals. It is much expensive to buy, install, deploy and maintain if it has been laid in oceans (Rodgers 53).Trenches need to be dug and some aspects in configuration done by specialized tools. In fiber optic, guided media used enables it to be received only by some recipients making it much secure and convenient means of transmission as there are no radiation fields to listen to. Conversely, wireless network, access points propagate signals to devices within the range, making it accessible to anyone. Hence, it is considered to be risky, unreliable and prone to hacking. Wireless networks have issues in quality of service. Packet loss may occur during data transmission. However, in heavy traffic models, wireless queuing systems have been implemented to ensure that there is no packet loss (Agrawal 15). These losses are very minimal in fiber optic communication due to advancements incorporated in the fiber architecture. Wireless networks are much more convenient when transmission involves coverage that is smaller, while in fiber, , it is not economical and is much more suitable for long haul transmission of data in network backbones (Tanebaum and David 120). It is mostly used by internet service providers where cost is relatively proportional to the investment. These firms sell data to consumers which lower cost and make the business viable. In conclusion, it is worth noting that fiber optic has tremendous advantages over wireless networks. These merits are attributed to transfer speeds, capacity and ability to be deployed in environments where wireless networks cannot work. However, wireless networking technology is also in a steep rise due to its ability to support portable mobile devices. In countries like Korea and China, wireless broadband has been tried and now these countries are rolling 4G network to support mobile devices. It is evident that despite the fact that fiber optic transmission is superb in its own nature, technology shifts still depends on these two modes of data transmission. They are being used interchangeably in most countries. Fiber optic cables are used as a backbone network to support an environment that is being served by a wireless network. It is further noted that mobile will overtake fixed access in the years to come. This clearly indicates that although fiber optic has many benefits, the world is moving towards mobile and wireless networks. Thus, despite some demerits of wireless technology, its use continues to rise in many parts of the world. Works cited Agrawal, Prathima. Wireless Communications. New York: Springer, 2007. Print. Belding-Royer, Elizabeth M, Agha K. Al, and G Pujolle. Mobile and Wireless Communication Networks: Ifip Tc6/wg6.8 Conference on Mobile and Wireless Communication Networks (mwcn 2004), October 25-27, 2004, Paris, France. New York: Springer, 2005. Web. DeCusatis, Casimer. Fiber Optic Data Communication: Technological Trends and Advances. San Diego: Academic Press, 2002. Print. For Business and Industry. New York: Elsevier, 2004. Print. Rogers, Alan J. Understanding Optical Fiber Communication. Boston: Artech House, 2001. Print. Subramanian, Mani, Timothy A. Gonsalves, and Rani N. Usha. Network Management: Principles and Practice. Noida (India: Dorling Kindersley, 2010. Print. Tanenbaum, Andrew S, and David J. Wetherall. Computer Networks - 5th Ed: International Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2011. Print. Varaiya, . High Performance Communication Networks. UBSD, n.d.. Print. Wilson, Brett, Zabih Ghassemlooy, and Izzat Darwazeh. Analogue Optical Fibre Communications. London: Institution of Electrical Engineers, 1995. Print. Wright, Edwin & Deon Reynders, Practical Telecommunications and Wireless Communications: Read More