Question

What are the Differences and similarities between Fiber Media and copper Media

Answer 1

A transmission medium can be defined as a pathway that can transmit information from a sender to a receiver. Transmission media are situated below the physical layer and are controlled by the physical layer. Transmission media are also called communication channels. There are two types of transmission media, namely guided and unguided. Guided transmission media are cables like twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, and fiber optic cables. Unguided transmission media are wireless, such as infrared, radio waves, and microwaves.

Difference between fiber medium and copper medium

• Fiber optic cables transmit data at a much higher speed than copper wires. This is because the speed of light is greater than that of electrons.
• Fiber optical communication needs a few numbers of repeaters because they have very low attenuation, whereas the copper needs more repeaters than fiber
• Fiber optic cables free from electromagnetic interferences and power fluctuations. They are only affected by power failures.
• Fiber optic cables are much more secure since they cannot be drain easily.
• As fiber cables are less affected by the corrosive chemicals because they are made up of glass.
• Fiber cables are thin and lightweight, whereas the weight of the copper cable is very high
• The life cycle of fiber cables is much more than copper cables.
• Fiber optical installation and maintenance are not as easy as that of copper wires.
• Copper is much cheaper than fiber.
• The propagation of signals in fiber optic cables is a single direction. , therefore for two-way communication two cables are needed.

There is much more difference in counting the difference and similarity of both fiber and copper, But the similarity is very few these two mediums are used for transmission of data, and both the medium are wired, that is transmission is possible through wire connection.