Focus on copper cables and fibre optics for signal transmission

The information and communication technology (ICT) has been permeating every aspect of our lives in the last 25 years. Large volumes of data and signals are transmitted over the internet at high speed and processed by sophisticated ICT systems, that can only function if signals – i.e. carriers of information – are transmitted.

Signal transmission is handled either by metallic conductors, usually made from copper, or optical conductors – both products from the cable industry.
In copper conductors the electrical signals are transmitted via electrons, whereas in optical conductors – also known as fibre optics – this is done by light particles (i.e. photons).
Optical conductors are made from quartz glass and a special transparent plastic. Optical cables can transmit more information than copper, have a significantly lower level of attenuation and are insensitive to external electromagnetic impact. By using different frequencies, it is possible to run several independent data channels on a single fibre optics cable.
Due to their specific physical properties, metallic and optical conductors each have their own areas of application.

One industry that illustrates this point particularly well is automotive engineering. Today’s state-of-the-art car has an on-board network comprising more than 2,000 individual cables with a total length of over 3.5 km (2.2 miles). One important criterion for choosing a conductor material is the data transfer rate. Engine control, for instance, requires immediate transmission, while an air conditioning system does not need to respond within fractions of a second. Whenever large data volumes are transmitted at high speed, often in real time, this is done via fibre optics. Manufacturers of metallic and optical conductors need special techniques, machines and tools. Up-to-date information on these and other developments in the wire and wire processing industry can be obtained at the international industry trade fair wire in Düsseldorf from 4 to 8 April 2016.
For more information visit www.wire.de