Analog Technologies, Essay Example

There is a common misconception that analog technology is no longer used in the transmission of digital data. However, analog transmission of data is transmitted using electricity, light, and radio. Transmissions in the air use radio, microwave, and satellite media. These transmissions take place in a specific OSI layer. This paper posits to explaine how each of the following protocols work to transmit data over a network: Ethernet (electric), FDDI, Fiber Optic (light), and WiFi (radio waves).

Ethernet (electric) protocol

Ethernet protocol is also called Power-line communication, PLC, makes use of conductors for analog data transmission. Power-line communication has a wide range of application broadband over power lines such as internet access and home automation among others. Majority of the Ethernet protocol applications are limited to a single type of wire that serves distribution network as well as premises wiring in one building. However, some of the wires usually cross two levels such as a distribution network along with premise wiring. The use of transformers in the prevention of signal propagation makes use of multiple technologies in the formation of extremely large networks. Varied rates of data along with frequencies are applicable in diverse situations (Williams, 2011).

The carrier systems in Ethernet protocol have been applicable for quite a long time to serve majority of utilities due to their ability of reliably moving data over the infrastructure that is within their control. Majority of these technologies are associated with multiple applications such as the communication systems that were initially meant to serve as automatic meter reading can at times serve as load control and applications for demand response.

FDDI analog transmission

The Fiber Distributed Data Interface, FDDI also plays a vital role in analog data transmission through the use of optic fiber cables. FDDI has the potentials t use token-passing networks to prop up the transmission rates ranging from 100 Mbs every second. FDDI has the capabilities of extending up to a range of 124 miles or 200 kilometers. FDDI covers a large geographical area and is able to support as many users as in terms of thousands. The FDDI has two rings of token, the first one supports possible backup in the situation of a failure of the primary ring. The capacity of the primary ring is 100 Mbps and can also carry a data capacity of up to 200 Mbps in case the secondary is not in use as a backup. The extent of distance that the primary ring can extend to is 62 miles which is equivalent to 100 kilometers (Williams, 2011).

The analog transmission system that uses Fiber optic also plays a vital role in analog data transmission. The working of this transmission system can be illustrated as follows

Every fiber link in this system comprises a transmitter and a receiver at both end of the fiber. Transmission in majority of these systems follows one direction in one of the fibers and a reverse direction in the next fiber to achieve full duplex operation. Transmission on both directions is also achievable but through the aid of couplers. However, since a fiber is less expensive than couplers, one direction transmission is more common (Williams, 2011).

Majority of the transmission systems under Fiber Optic analog transmission makes use of “transceiver” that is equipped with a receiver and transmission at the same time in one module.          The role of transmitter is to receive electric input, convert it into optical output resulting to a laser diode, LED. Analog signals are produced that consequently produce information in the signal amplitude. The systems produce the natural form of data which are sometimes degraded by noise during transmission. However, if the signals can be changed to digital, transmission is not degraded by noise and large distances can be covered successfully (Williams, 2011).

WiFi (radio waves) analog transmission

It is possible to access the internet at some designated areas such as the airport that is facilitated by wireless network and this is made possible by the use of Wireless Fidelity, the WiFi. WiFi works by the use of radio wave connectivity which is equipped with a vital component called wireless router. This serves as the link that connects the laptop to the Internet superhighway through wireless network.

WiFi transmits and receives radio signals simultaneously and has potentials for conversion of analog signals to digital and vice versa. The wireless router plays a very significant role in the determination of the speed and security of data transmission. The WiFi is also equipped with wireless adapters which are fitted to the users’ laptops and it is usually rank second in importance from the router. The duty of the adapter is to receive signals from the router and also transmit them. The WiFi has set people free from the encumbrances and the bonds associated with wired data transmission. The ideas used in WiFi were borrowed from the two-way radio communication which is an ancient technological innovation.

Reference

Williams, J., (2011). An introduction to acoustic thermometry, Application Note 131, Linear Technology Corp.