AV Technology - January 2009 - (Page 30)

A CAT PRIMER Category definition: The term “category” describes a performance level for cabling and connection components within TIA’s structured cabling standards for network communications. The channel data rate is also described as a category level. Though the ISO describes components as a “category,” like TIA, it describes the data rate performance utilizing a performance “class.” Frequency bandwidth determines the TIA and ISO equivalent performance grades. Categories and capabilities: Table 1 lists TIA and ISO equivalent classifications. Category 5e (Class D) snapshot: Published in 2000, this standard increased performance headroom over Category 5 limits and included criteria for support of Gigabit Ethernet in a bi-directional, full four-pair transmission scheme. Cat 5e is the 100baseT with extended capabilities and is supported by ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2 and ISO/IEC 11801, 2nd edition. Category 6 (Class E) snapshot: Published in 2002, it primarily supports 100baseT and 1000baseT (Gigabit Ethernet) applications. Improved transmission parameters and frequency bandwidth allow demonstration of limited applicability for 10GBaseT applications. Category 6 details are available in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.2-1 and ISO/IEC 11801, 2nd edition. Category 6A (Class EA) snapshot: Initially designed to support 10GBaseT over 100 meters and four connectors, this category provides positive performance to 500 MHz over four twisted pairs. Category 6A details are available in ANSI/TIA/EIA568-B.2-10 and Amendment 1 to ISO/IEC 11801, 2nd edition. Class F snapshot: First published in 2002, this class is the first to describe a fully shielded twisted-pair cable, STP. Unofficially called “Category 7,” this standard provides positive performance to 600 MHz and greatly improved electromagnetic capability over four shielded pairs. This class provides support for 10GBaseT service and beyond. Class F utilizes a non-RJ style connector system that is specified in IEC 61076-3-104:2002 Class FA snapshot: Now in development, this class extends frequency bandwidth from 600 MHz on up to 1,000 MHz. Class FA should support broadband video, such as CATV, operating up to 862 MHz. This is also a fully shielded-cable solution. Impact on DVI and HDMI: DVI and HDMI signals have no direct relationship with Category-style cabling systems. Technological development of data networks capitalized on the relatively low cost of twisted-pair cable construction. In recent years, both analog and digital signals of various formats have utilized existing UTP and STP cabling infrastructures because of their cost-effectiveness. This has made RGB video and analog/digital audio transmission possible via special interface circuits that compensate for the unique electrical characteristics of UTP and STP cabling. In this way, new digital media interfaces can take advantage of the economies offered by network data cabling. Data networks are not compatible with DVI, HDMI, or analog video/audio transmission via twisted-pair cabling. Source: Siemon 30 | AV TECHNOLOGY | january 2009 www.avtechnologyonline.com http://www.avtechnologyonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AV Technology - January 2009

AV Technology - January 2009 Contents Precedent Corporate: Hunkering Down Government: The Great Unifier Education: Technological Self-Sufficiency Integrating Communications into Your Business Process DVI/HDMI Signals over Twisted-Pair Cable AV Helps Explain the Unexplainable AV Enhancements at the Coliseum Product Forum Tech Horizons Product Spotlight New Products Ad Index AV MO

AV Technology - January 2009

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