With the progress of technology, the possibilities of the Internet have also expanded. However, in order for the user to take full advantage of them, a stable and high-speed connection is required. First of all, it depends on the bandwidth of the communication channels. Therefore, it is necessary to find out how to measure the data transfer rate and what factors affect it.
What is the bandwidth of communication channels?
In order to familiarize yourself with and understand the new term, you need to know what a communication channel is. In simple terms, communication channels are devices and means through which data (information) is transmitted over a distance. For example, communication between computers is carried out thanks to fiber optic and cable networks. In addition, a method of communication via a radio channel is common (a computer connected to a modem or a Wi-Fi network).
Bandwidth is the maximum speed of information transfer for one specific unit of time.
Usuallythe following units are used to denote bandwidth:
| Information unit | Time |
| Bit (or byte) | second |
|
Kilobit (or kilobyte) |
second |
| Megabit (or megabyte) | second |
Bandwidth measurement
Bandwidth measurement is quite an important operation. It is carried out in order to find out the exact speed of the Internet connection. Measurement can be done with the following steps:
- The easiest way is to download a large file and send it to the other end. The disadvantage is that it is impossible to determine the accuracy of the measurement.
- Also, you can use speedtest.net. The service allows you to measure the width of the Internet channel "leading" to the server. However, this method is also not suitable for a holistic measurement, the service provides data on the entire line to the server, and not on a specific communication channel. In addition, the object being measured does not have access to the global Internet.
- The optimal solution for measuring will be the Iperf client-server utility. It allows you to measure the time, the amount of data transferred. After the operation is completed, the program provides the user with a report.
Thanks to the above methods, you can easily measure the real speedinternet connections. If the readings do not meet current needs, then you may need to consider changing providers.
Bandwidth calculation
In order to find and calculate the throughput of a communication line, it is necessary to use the Shannon-Hartley theorem. It says: you can find the bandwidth of a communication channel (line) by calculating the mutual relationship between the potential bandwidth, as well as the bandwidth of the communication line. The formula for calculating throughput is as follows:
I=Glog2 (1+As/A ).
In this formula, each element has its own meaning:
- I - Indicates the maximum throughput setting.
- G - parameter of the bandwidth intended for signal transmission.
- As / A– signal to noise ratio.
The Shannon-Hartley theorem suggests that to reduce external noise or increase signal strength, it is best to use a wide data cable.
Methods of signal transmission
Today, there are three main ways to transfer a signal between computers:
- Transmission over radio networks.
- Data transmission via cable.
- Data transmission over fiber optic connections.
Each of these methods has individual characteristics of communication channels, which will be discussed below.
The advantages of transmitting information via radio channels include:versatility of use, ease of installation and configuration of such equipment. Typically, a radio transmitter is used to receive and transmit data wirelessly. It can be a modem for a computer or a Wi-Fi adapter.
The disadvantages of this method of transmission include unstable and relatively low speed, greater dependence on the presence of radio towers, as well as the high cost of use (mobile Internet is almost twice as expensive as "stationary").
The advantages of data transmission over a cable are: reliability, ease of operation and maintenance. Information is transmitted by means of an electric current. Relatively speaking, current under a certain voltage moves from point A to point B. A is later converted into information. Wires perfectly withstand temperature changes, bending and mechanical stress. The disadvantages include unstable speed, as well as deterioration of the connection due to rain or thunderstorms.
Perhaps the most advanced data transmission technology at the moment is the use of fiber optic cable. Millions of tiny glass tubes are used in the design of communication channels of a network of communication channels. And the signal transmitted through them is a light pulse. Since the speed of light is several times faster than the speed of current, this technology has made it possible to speed up the Internet connection by several hundred times.
The disadvantages include the fragility of fiber optic cables. Firstly, they do not withstand mechanical damage: crashedtubes cannot pass a light signal through them, and sudden temperature changes lead to their cracking. Well, the increased radiation background makes the tubes cloudy - because of this, the signal may deteriorate. In addition, the fiber optic cable is difficult to repair if it breaks, so you have to completely change it.
The above suggests that over time, communication channels and networks of communication channels are improving, which leads to an increase in data transfer speed.
Average capacity of communication lines
From the foregoing, we can conclude that communication channels are different in their properties, which affect the speed of information transfer. As mentioned earlier, communication channels can be wired, wireless and based on the use of fiber optic cables. The last type of creation of data transmission networks is the most effective. And its average bandwidth is 100 Mbps.
What is a beat? How is bit rate measured?
Bit rate is a measure of connection speed. Calculated in bits, the smallest units of information storage, for 1 second. It was inherent in communication channels in the era of the “early development” of the Internet: at that time, text files were mainly transmitted on the global web.
Now the basic unit of measure is 1 byte. It, in turn, is equal to 8 bits. Beginning users very often make a gross mistake: they confuse kilobits and kilobytes. Hence, bewilderment arises when a channel with512 kbps bandwidth does not live up to expectations and delivers a speed of only 64 KB / s. In order not to be confused, you need to remember that if bits are used to denote speed, then the entry will be made without abbreviations: bps, kbps, kbit/s or kbps.
Factors affecting internet speed
As you know, the final speed of the Internet also depends on the bandwidth of the communication channel. Also, the speed of information transfer is affected by:
Connection methods
Radio waves, cables and fiber optic cables. The properties, advantages and disadvantages of these connection methods were discussed above.
Server load
The busier the server is, the slower it receives or transmits files and signals.
External interference
The strongest interference affects the connection created using radio waves. This is caused by cell phones, radios, and other radio receivers and transmitters.
Network equipment status
Of course, connection methods, the state of servers and the presence of interference play an important role in providing high-speed Internet. However, even if the above indicators are normal, and the Internet has a low speed, then the matter is hidden in the network equipment of the computer. Modern network cards are capable of supporting an Internet connection at speeds up to 100 Mbps. Previously, cards were able to provide maximum throughput of 30 and 50 Mbps, respectively.
How to increase speedInternet?
As mentioned earlier, the bandwidth of the communication channel depends on many factors: connection method, server performance, presence of noise and interference, as well as the state of network equipment. To increase the connection speed in your home, you can replace your network equipment with a more advanced one, as well as switch to a different connection method (from radio waves to cable or fiber).
In conclusion
As a summary, it is worth saying that the bandwidth of the communication channel and the speed of the Internet are not the same thing. To calculate the first value, you must use the Shannon-Hartley law. According to him, noise can be reduced, as well as signal strength can be increased by replacing the transmission channel with a wider one.
Increasing the speed of your Internet connection is also possible. But it is carried out by changing the provider, changing the connection method, improving network equipment, as well as fencing devices for transmitting and receiving information from sources that cause interference.
