Coaxial cable

Schematic drawing of a coaxial cable

A Coaxial cable is a special electrical cable. It is used to transmit signals. The cable is specially insulated. This makes it quite stiff. Today, coaxial cables are used for things like Cable TV. Coaxial cables can also be used for computer networks, but this became rare in the 21st century, as twisted pair cables can be used more easily.

Such cables are usually made of a conducting wire. Then there is some insulation, then there is another layer of conducting material. Finally there is the (insulating) mantle. Such cables are used as a high-frequency transmission line to carry a high-frequency or broadband signal. Because the electromagnetic field carrying the signal exists (ideally) only in the space between the inner and outer conductors, it cannot interfere with or suffer interference from external electromagnetic fields.

There are different types of coaxial cables, which satisfy different standards.

Timeline

Coaxial Cable Media

References

  1. Google Book Search - Oliver Heaviside By Paul J. Nahin
  2. Feldenkirchen, Wilfried (1994). Werner von Siemens - Inventor and International Entrepreneur. ISBN 0-8142-0658-1.
  3. U.S. Patent 1,835,031 
  4. earlytelevision.org - Early Electronic Television - The 1936 Berlin Olympics Archived 2007-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
  5. The worldwide history of telecommunications By Anton A. Huurdeman - Copper-Line Transmission
  6. "Coaxial Debut Archived 2007-12-24 at the Wayback Machine," Time, Dec. 14, 1936.
  7. Boing Boing - Gallery: An illustrated history of the transoceanic cable
  8. Google books - Broadcast engineer's reference book By Edwin Paul J. Tozer
  9. Radio-electronics.com - Coaxial feeder or RF coax cable
  10. Atlantic-cable.com - 1956 TAT-1 Silver Commemorative Dish
  11. Google books - The worldwide history of telecommunications By Anton A. Huurdeman

Other websites