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.
Figure 01: Data Transmission
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