What is Bandwidth

  ** Bandwidth**

Fig.Wireless Bandwidth

Bandwidth is defined as the amount of data that can be transmitted by a fixed period of time. Bandwidth is usually measured in terms of bits of data transferred per second (bps). For example a bandwidth of 10 Mbps indicates that the cable can transfer 10 megabits of data per second. The bandwidth of cables used in the network determines the data transfer rate in the network and therefore, bandwidth is an important consideration for selecting a communication medium.

Although the communication medium may be designed for a specific bandwidth, the actual throughput is affected by the length of the communication medium or in other words the distance between the devices to be connected. Throughput is the amount of data that is actually transferred between two computer or network devices. In the preceding example, if the length of the cable exceeds  a particular value, the actual throughput may be  less than 10 Mbps. This effect of distance on the bandwidth of a connectivity medium is detailed in the following sub-topic:

Distance 

The bandwidth offered by a connectivity medium is limited by the distance over which the medium needs to transmit the signal. When the distance between the devices is greater, the bandwidth decreases because the signal needs to travel over a greater distance. A part of the signal strength is utilized to overcome the resistance offered by the cable. So, the signal strength decrease as the length of the cable increases. Also, an increase in the distance increases the chance of external disturbances such as Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Radio Frequency Interface (RFI) or physical stress.

These external disturbances cause the signal to deteriorate and therefore, the amount of data transferred decreases. The gradual deterioration of signal strength across long distances is called attenuation, and the degradation of a signal due to internal or external disturbances is called distortion.

•  Online Govt. Jobs Registration Portal For Indian Students

Thanks a lot for reading!
Neel Kamal