Difference between Optical Fiber and Coaxial Cable

What is Optical Fiber Cable?

Data is sent utilizing light over optical fiber connections. Dr Narinder Singh Kapani showed how optical fiber might be used to convey pictures and created the framework for fast data transport. The transmission speed is around 69 per cent of the speed of light, at 2 × 38 m/s.

• Fiber optic cables core and cladding make its main components, where the core's refractive index is higher than the cladding's. It's because fiber optic cables transmit data using the concept of complete internal reflection.
• The grand sum of the fiber optic cable infrastructure costs and Compared to copper cable, maintenance costs are high.
• There are two types of fiber optic cables: Index Fiber and Graded Index Fiber are two types. The core's refractive index is constant throughout Step Index Fiber. The Refractive index of the core is highest at the centre of the graded index, and as you approach the boundary, it becomes less.

What is a Coaxial Cable?

A type of guided medium used to carry out the transmission of high-frequency signals is called coaxial cable. The solid inner conductor of coaxial cables aids in the electrical communication systems of the signals. Signals are transmitted as electrical impulses thanks to the solid inner conductor in coaxial cables. High-speed communication has also heavily relied on coaxial cables. It has been utilized in data centers with 10 Gigabit lines since it has shown to be economical for residential networks and short links with fewer than 10 meters.

Characteristics of a Coaxial Cable

• This design is used to transmit high-frequency signals.
• The two types of coax cables are RG59 and RG6.
• The inner conductor delivers the signal in electrical form.
• Coaxial cable isn't affected by magnetic fields.
• The cost of cable is somewhat more costly.

Advantages

Following is the list of advantages of coaxial cable:

• Long-distance phone lines are suitable for usage.
• Data transmission is without distortion.
• High bandwidth.
• High noise immunity.

Disadvantages

Following is the list of disadvantages of coaxial cable:

• The network would come crashing down if even one cable failed.
• It a difficult to install.
• Comparably expensive to twisted pairs.

Difference between Optical Fiber and Coaxial Cable in Tabular Form

No.	Optical Fiber	Coaxial Cable
1.	To transmit data and signals in light form, optical fiber is used.	The signal or data is sent through coaxial cable and is in electrical form.
2.	Glass and plastics are used to make optical fiber.	Coaxial cable is made of elements including plastic and copper wires.
3.	Optical fiber has a high efficiency.	Coaxial cable is less effective.
4.	Optical fiber has a heavy cost.	Coaxial cable is less expensive.
5.	The weight of optical cable is less.	Compared to optical fiber, coaxial cable weight is more.
6.	The optical fiber has a small diameter.	The diameter of coaxial cable is larger than that of optical fiber.
7.	Optic fiber needs complex installation and implementation.	Coaxial cable may be easily installed and used.
8.	The highest possible level of noise is found in optical fibers because they are unaffected by electrical noise.	Because it has a shield, coaxial cable offers the greatest noise immunity.
9.	Due to the external magnetic field, these cables remain unaffected.	Coaxial cables are less sensitive to the magnetic field outdoors.
10.	The absorption, scattering, dispersion, and bending of optical fibers are the main causes of power loss.	Only conduction is accountable for power loss in coaxial cables.
11.	It make use of just few different Ethernet variants, including 10BaseF, 100BaseFX, and 1000BaseFx.	The 10Base2 and 10Base5 Ethernet variants are used.
12.	It can transmit data at a maximum rate of 10 Gbps.	It can transmit data at a maximum rate of 10 Mbps.
13.	Compared to coaxial cable, it provides high bandwidth and data speeds.	It provides relatively low data rates and bandwidth.
14.	Uses- Telephone connections.Medical field.HDTV’s.Aircraft	Uses- Telephone connections.Internet.Cable TV signals.