Difference Between Baseband and Broadband Transmission

The key difference between Baseband and Broadband Transmission is that in baseband transmission, one signal takes the entire bandwidth of the channel to send data while in broadband transmission, many signals with multiple frequencies send data through a single channel simultaneously.

There are two types of transmission techniques called baseband and broadband. Baseband transmission sends only one signal at a time, and it uses digital signals whereas Broadband transmission sends multiple signals at a time and it uses analog signals.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Baseband Transmission
3. What is Broadband Transmission
4. Side by Side Comparison – Baseband vs Broadband Transmission in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Baseband Transmission?

Baseband transmission uses digital signals to send data through the media as a single channel. In this technique, one signal takes the entire bandwidth of the network media for transmission. Furthermore, the devices send and receive data using a single channel or a cable. Sending and receiving cannot happen on the same channel at the same time. Therefore, baseband transmission is bidirectional.

Baseband transmission utilizes Time Division Multiplexing (TDM). TDM does not use channel division; instead, each signal gets a time slot. Therefore, one signal takes the entire bandwidth for a given time slot. Usually, baseband transmission helps to send signals to short distances. Hence, Ethernet commonly use this transmission technique.

What is Broadband Transmission?

Broadband Transmission sends data as analog signals. In broadband transmission, it is possible to send signals simultaneously over a range of different frequencies. This transmission is unidirectional. In other words, data transmission happens only to a one direction at a time. Therefore, in broadband transmission, it can only send or receive but cannot do both simultaneously.

Broadband transmission use Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). In FDM, the total bandwidth is divided into several frequency bands, and each carries a separate signal. At the receiving end, a multiplexer divides the various signals. Usually, cable TV, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), variants of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Power Line communication use broadband transmission.

What is the Difference Between Baseband and Broadband Transmission?

Baseband vs Broadband Transmission
Baseband Transmission is a transmission technique that one signal requires the entire bandwidth of the channel to send data.	Broadband Transmission is a transmission technique that many signals with multiple frequencies transmit data through a single channel simultaneously.
Type of Signals
Uses digital signals	Uses analog signals
Number of Signals
Sends one signal at a time	Sends multiple signals simultaneously
Signal Range
Signals travel a short distance	Signals travel a long distance without much attenuation
Transmission Type
Bidirectional	Unidirectional
Multiplexing
Uses Time Division Multiplexing	Uses Frequency Division Multiplexing
Examples
Ethernet is an example	Cable TV, Wi-Fi, and Power Line communication are some examples

Summary – Baseband vs Broadband Transmission

The difference between Baseband and Broadband Transmission is that in baseband transmission, one signal takes the entire bandwidth of the channel to send data while in broadband transmission, many signals with multiple frequencies send data through a single channel simultaneously.

Reference:

1.“Broadband Transmission.” Broadband Transmission in The Network Encyclopedia. Available here
2.adnanqayum Follow. “Communication Engineering.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 20 Mar. 2016. Available here
3.“Pearson IT Certification.” Differentiating Between Baseband and Broadband Signaling | Network Exam Prep: Ethernet Networking Standards | Pearson IT Certification. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’Wirelessadsl2+router.dlink.dslg684t’ (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia