Evaluation of Copper Cables as Waveguides in Next-generation Wireline Technologies

• Published in: 2019 SBMO/IEEE MTT-S International Microwave and Optoelectronics Conference (IMOC) pp. 1 - 3
• Main Authors: Souza, D. D., Sousa, B. P. T., Borges, G. S., Rodrigues, R. M., Cavalcante, A. M., Almeida, I. M., Costa, J. C. W. A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 10.11.2019
• Subjects: Attenuation; Communication cables; Conductors; Data aggregation; Electromagnetic waveguides; high-order guided modes; Numerical simulation; Power cables; Terabit DSL; twisted-pair cables; waveguide
• DOI: 10.1109/IMOC43827.2019.9317425

Traditionally, copper-based technologies use twistedpair cables as transmission lines. Alternatively, a recent study indicates the possibility of achieving Tbps over those cables by exploiting their high-order guided modes; i.e., a waveguide approach. Even so that study is a fresh breath to ordinary twisted-pair cables as transmission media, it miss a deeper understanding about the features of such modes. In this paper, we investigate the attenuation of 16 guided modes from a CAT5e cable from numerical simulations and determine the aggregate data rate of the cable as a waveguide via Shannon's capacity. The results indicate the use of CAT cables as waveguides are viable and can achieve 3 Tbps over 10m.