|
The Terms
|
| Bandwidth |
The difference
between the upper and lower limits of a given band of frequencies. |
| Broadband |
The technique
used to multiplex networks on a single cable without interfacing
with each other. |
| Category
Cable |
Cables that
comply with TIA/EIA-568-A. The higher the category
number, i.e. Cat 5; the better the cable's electrical
performance to carry high speed signals. All cables are
100ohms. |
| Category
3 (Cat 3) |
Transmission
characteristics up to 16MHZ |
| Category
4 (Cat 4) |
Transmission
characteristics up to 20MHZ |
| Category
5 (Cat 5) |
Transmission
characteristics up to 100MHZ |
| Category
5e (Cat 5e) |
Transmission
characteristics up to 100MHZ |
| Category
6 (Cat 6) |
This standard
is currently in draft. The proposed transmission characteristics
will be around 250MHZ |
| Coaxial
Cabling |
A transmission
medium noted for its high bandwidth and low susceptibility
to interference. Most commonly used for transmission of
video signals. It has a coaxial cross section, where
the center core is the signal conductor, while the outer
shield protects it from external electromagnetic interference. |
| Cross
talk |
The interface
caused by a signal traveling over one cable pair on a signal
traveling on an adjacent cable pair. |
| Daisy
Chain |
The connection
of multiple devices in a serial fashion. |
| Fiber
Optics |
A technology
that uses light for the transmission data. Transmission
characteristics are around 10Gb/s. Currently 40Gb/s
testing is underway. |
| Home
Run |
A cabling
method in which each cable is run directly to the work station
outlet (star wiring) |
| Hub |
A device
used for the convergence of data from one or more locations
and forwards the data out to one or more locations. |
| Multimode
Fiber |
A fiber that
propagates more than one mode of light transmission. Commonly
used with LED sources for low speed , short distance
links. |
| NEC |
Abbreviation
for National Electric Code. Electrical contractors
are required to follow the NEC standards and practices
for installing copper wiring systems, low voltage and fiber
optic cabling. |
| Network |
A system
of cables, hardware, and equipment used for communications. |
|
Patch Cord |
Cable utilized
to connect telecommunications circuits or links at the cross
connect |
| RG-6
Quad Shield Coax |
Handles television
(antenna or cable), satellite dish, cable modem, or audiovisual
modular signals. (An audiovisual modulator creates new TV
channels for front door camera, DVD player, a VCR or satellite
receiver.) |
| Router |
A device
used for the forwarding of data from networks (LANS)
using the OSI network layer or the IP layer. |
| Star
Wiring |
A method
of cabling each telecommunication outlet directly to cross
connect/hub. |
| Single
Mode Fiber |
A fiber that
uses only one mode of light transmission. Commonly used
with laser sources for high speed, long distance links. |
| TIA/EIA |
Abbreviation
for Telecommunications Industry Association/Electronic
Industries Association. The TIA/EIA
sets the standards for the cabling industry. |
| UTP |
Abbreviation
for Unshielded Twisted Pair. A cable
that consists of two or more unshielded insulated pairs
that are twisted around each other to reduce induction.
More commonly referred to as category cable. |
