Updated April 13, 2023
Difference Between Baseband vs Broadband
The following article provides an outline for Baseband vs Broadband. The baseband is a type of signal which has a frequency range near to zero. The baseband signals are used for transmitting the signals in the telecommunication world without using the modulation that means no alteration in the frequency of a signal. The bandwidth of the baseband signal is near to zero. The other name of baseband is the low-pass transmission. Broadband is another type of signal with width bandwidth used for transmitting multiple signals simultaneously and can be used to transmit different traffic types. The broadband use fiber optical, twisted pair as the transmission medium for transmitting the signals.
Head to Head Comparison Between Baseband vs Broadband (Infographics)
Below are the top 8 differences between Baseband and Broadband:
Key Difference Between Baseband vs Broadband
Let us discuss some of the major key differences between Baseband and Broadband:
- The major difference between broadband transmission and baseband transmission is that the baseband transmission uses the complete bandwidth for transmitting the signals and occupy the whole cable while in broadband transmission, at the same time, multiple signals can be transmitted using multiple frequencies using only one channel. In baseband transmission, the frequency cannot be divided or multiplexed, but time can be multiplexed as only one signal is transmitted in the cable. In broadband transmission, multiple signals can be transmitted, and one channel can transmit analog signals. The frequency multiplexing can be done in broadband transmission.
- The other difference between broadband transmission and baseband transmission in the direction of signals transmitted. In the baseband transmission, the signals can be transmitted in both directions at the same time. In broadband transmission, the signals can be transmitted in a single direction. The baseband transmission uses digital signaling for transmitting the signals. The broadband transmission uses analog signaling for transmitting analog signals.
- The other key difference between broadband transmission and baseband transmission is the range of the signal. In baseband transmission, the range of signal distance is too short. Thus in baseband transmission, external devices are placed in the network for the transmission of digital signals. The external device includes attenuators and repeaters, which transmit the signals to the destination node. The LAN network uses the baseband transmission to transmit the signals as in the LAN network; there is a requirement to send signals in a short distance. In broadband transmission, the signal range is long, and the signals can be easily transmitted to a long distance without using any external device for signal transmission. The radio network and TV uses broadband transmission as in this communication there is a requirement of sending signals to long distance.
- The other key difference between broadband transmission and baseband transmission is costing of signal transmission. In baseband transmission, as there is a requirement to send the signals to a short distance only, the setup cost is less as a requirement of wire is less, which decreases the setup cost. On the other hand, in broadband transmission, the setup cost is significantly higher when it is compared to baseband transmission. As in broadband transmission, the signals are transmitted over a long distance; it requires more wires and cables, which increases the transmission cost in broadband transmission. The maintenance cost of the baseband transmission is also less when it is compared to broadband transmission. The maintenance cost increases the overall cost of broadband transmission.
- The other major difference between broadband transmission and baseband transmission is the capability of both signaling. The baseband transmission is capable of transmitting the data and voice only on the network. In broadband transmission, the network can send data, voice and video calls in the transmission medium over a long distance. The quality of videos is not compromised as the optical fibers are used for transmitting the analog signals in broadband transmission. The transmitting speed of broadband transmission is nearly about 100 MB per second.
Baseband vs Broadband Comparison Table
Let’s discuss the top comparison between Baseband vs Broadband:
| Factor | Baseband | Broadband |
| The signal used for transmission. | The baseband transmits the digital signal using the physical medium like wires. | The broadband transmits the analog signals using optical fibers and twisted cables as a medium of transmission. |
| Transmission direction | The baseband signaling is termed as bidirectional and is capable of sending digital signals in both directions. | The broadband signaling is termed as bidirectional and is capable of sending digital signals in only one direction. |
| Encoding scheme used | The baseband signaling used Manchester encoding scheme while transmitting the digital signals. | The broadband signaling used Manchester encoding scheme while transmitting the analog signals. |
| Range of signals | The baseband transmission can transmit the digital signals over a short distance only when compared to broadband transmission. If the digital signals need to be transmitted for a long distance, the attenuation process is required. | The broadband transmission can transmit the analog signals over a long distance compared to baseband transmission, and for transmitting the signals, no need for attenuation technique is required. |
| Topology used | The baseband transmission uses the bus topology as the application. | The broadband transmission uses the tree and bus topology as the application. |
| A number of data streams transmitted. | The baseband transmission can transmit the single data type stream at one glance and can send in bidirectional. | The broadband transmission can transmit multiple data streams at the same time but in one direction only. |
| Medium of transfer | The baseband signals used twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables and wires as a medium of transmitting digital signals. | The broadband signals used optical fiber cables, coaxial cables, and radio waves to transmit the analog signals. |
| Application | The baseband transmission is mostly used for the LAN networks as the baseband signaling can transmit the digital signal for a short distance only. And there is a requirement of repeaters for transmitting the signals. | Broadband transmission is mostly used for telephone networks. The broadband signaling can transmit the analog signals for long-distance without using any external device like a repeater or attenuator. |
Conclusion
Broadband and baseband can be categorized into signaling. The broadband signaling transmits the analog signals and uses optical fibers and twisted pair as the transmission medium. The baseband signaling transmits the digital signals and involves electrical impulse that is transmitted into a physical medium like wires.
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