Differences between Baseband and Broadband Explained

In this tutorial, we describe the differences between broadband and baseband transmissions in detail. Discover the differences between baseband and broadband transmissions.

Broadband and baseband are both ways to transmit data between two nodes. Broadband technology transmits multiple data signals/streams/channels simultaneously, while baseband technology transmits a single data signal/stream/channel.

The following image shows an example of both technologies.

Baseband can be compared to a railway track and broadband to a highway in order to understand the basic differences between the two technologies. As there can only be one train at a time on the road, there can only be one data signal transmitted at a time in baseband transmission.

Multiple vehicles can travel simultaneously on a highway, unlike a railway track. Similarly, 3 vehicles can pass in the same lane of a 3 lanes highway. Similar to a highway, multiple data signals can be transmitted simultaneously in broadband transmission.

Broadband and baseband transmissions differ in their technical characteristics

Data is transmitted using digital signals in baseband technology. It sends binary values as pulses of varying voltage levels. Using repeaters, digital signals can travel longer distances without weakening and becoming unusable due to attenuation.

The baseband supports bidirectional communication. It is capable of sending and receiving data simultaneously. It uses two separate electrical circuits to support bidirectional communication; one for sending and one for receiving.

An example of this can be seen in the following image.

In spite of the fact that baseband only transmits one data stream at a time, multiple data streams can be sent at the same time. It is done by combining all the signals into a single data stream. Multiplexing is a technology used to combine signals from multiple nodes. Broadband supports Time Division Multiplexing (TDM).

The baseband technology is mostly used in Ethernet networks to exchange data between nodes. Coaxial, twisted-pair, and fiber-optic cable media types are all compatible with this technology.

Broadband transmission

In broadband technology, analog signals are used to transmit data. Carrier waves are used for this purpose. A carrier wave contains no data, but all the properties of an analog signal. This technology mixes data/digital signal/binary values into the carrier wave and sends the carrier wave across the channel/medium.

To transmit data of multiple nodes simultaneously, this technology supports the Frequency Division Multiplexing. FDM (Frequency Division Multiplexing) divides the channel (medium or path) into several sub-channels and assigns a sub-channel to each node. Each sub-channel can carry a separate carrier wave.

Here is an example of this process.

In order to travel longer distances, analog signals can be regenerated using amplifiers.

Communication over broadband is unidirectional only. The nodes connected at both ends of a medium can send and receive data, but they cannot perform both actions simultaneously. There can only be one action at a time.

A and B, for example, are linked by a cable that transmits signals using broadband technology. It is node A that transmits signals, and it is node B that receives the transmitted signals.

This example is shown in the following image.

Typically, broadband is used in an environment in which audio, video, and data are transmitted simultaneously. Radio stations, television networks, and telephone companies are among the examples. Broadband transmission usually involves radio waves, coaxial cables, and fiber optic cables.

Key differences between baseband and broadband transmissions