Basebandviestintä

Basebandviestintä, often translated as baseband communication, refers to the transmission of signals without modulation. In this type of communication, the information signal itself is directly applied to the transmission medium. This means the signal occupies a frequency range starting from zero Hertz (DC) up to a certain bandwidth. This contrasts with passband communication, where the information signal is modulated onto a higher frequency carrier wave before transmission.

Baseband communication is typically used for short-distance transmissions and within local networks. Examples include Ethernet, which is a widely used wired local area network technology, and older telephone lines before the advent of digital transmission techniques. The signal in baseband communication travels directly on the medium, such as a copper wire or optical fiber, without being shifted to a higher frequency.

Key characteristics of baseband communication include its simplicity and efficiency for short ranges. However, it is susceptible to signal degradation over longer distances due to attenuation and interference. Therefore, signal repeaters or amplifiers are often necessary for extending the range of baseband signals. The bandwidth required for baseband transmission is directly proportional to the data rate.