In today’s environment, the use of network equipment is becoming increasingly common. However, in older buildings, some existing lines may already be in place, such as coaxial cables, telephone lines, and power lines. How can you utilize these existing lines to transmit network equipment signals without rewiring? Is there a method to achieve this?
📌 Table of Contents
■ Technical Background
■ Technical Advantages
■ Potential System Issues
Technical Background
The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) is an international standards association that publishes specifications for networking over coaxial cables. The currently developed Ethernet over Coax (EoC) and Ethernet over 2-Wire transmitters are based on this technology. This series of technologies supports the transmission of Ethernet signals through coaxial cables or any 2-wire lines (e.g., telephone lines, power lines, or UTP cables).
Multiple technologies can be applied to existing coaxial cables to achieve Ethernet or IP communication. For example, the ITU-T G.hn standard provides high-speed (up to 1 Gigabit/s) local area network transmission using existing building wiring (including coaxial cables, power lines, and telephone lines). This technology defines an Application Protocol Convergence (APC) layer to encapsulate standard 802.3 Ethernet frames into G.hn MAC Service Data Units (MSDUs).
Thanks to advancements in IC technology, it is now possible to integrate the IEEE802.3at/af technical standards into a single chip. Current single-axis Ethernet transmission technology can transmit power simultaneously, meaning a single line can not only transmit Ethernet data but also provide the power needed for remote devices. This technological application makes wiring installation and maintenance simple and fast.
Technical Advantages
Many application systems on the market have already benefited from Ethernet/IP over Coax (or 2-Wire) technology. Network cameras (IP cameras), intercoms, and IP phones are the main applications.
Besides the advantage of using a single line to transmit both Ethernet data and power, the long-distance, high-speed transmission is another benefit of single-axis network transmitters. System personnel can establish multi-node, high-speed network connections through different types of coaxial cables in various situations to save on labor and cable costs, including:
1. New Extended Network Connections via Existing Cables
Upgrade old analog surveillance videos, intercoms, and telephones to 100/1000Mbps digital network equipment in settings like community buildings, factories, hotels, pipeline and tunnel inspections, deep-sea exploration, railways, radar systems, and other niche applications.
For instance, a major obstacle when upgrading analog surveillance cameras to IP digital network cameras is the need to remove old lines and install new cables. The cost of new twisted-pair or fiber optic cables for network equipment can be high and twisted-pair Ethernet has a 100-meter transmission distance limitation. Existing coaxial cables are an excellent transmission medium, as they have higher bandwidth, better anti-interference, and low signal attenuation, meaning they can transmit more data over longer distances. By utilizing the existing wiring infrastructure, it’s easy to establish multiple 100/1000Mbps network nodes over a single 2-wire cable at distances over 1KM.
2. Easy Installation and Maintenance
Single-axis network transmitters are also very easy to install and use, requiring no professional knowledge. When two single-axis network transmitters are connected, the system automatically establishes a 100/1,000Mbps Ethernet or IP network without needing to set up IP or MAC addresses. Since single-axis network transmitters use low-power technology, they can be connected to low-voltage power supplies already installed for older systems.
3. Intuitive Device Status
You can instantly check network signals, link, and power status through the device’s LED indicator lights, allowing for quick checks on the device’s health.
4. 128-bit AES Encrypted Communication
This provides transient data transmission protection. This encryption method is very suitable for transmitting confidential data, such as for the military.
📖 Further Reading：Learn more about field applications of single-axis network transmitter (EoC) products.
Potential System Issues
While single-axis network transmitters have many advantages, systems can still suffer from signal and power attenuation due to long-distance transmission. The following two charts can be used for reference by readers regarding the attenuation of power and data over different transmission media as a function of distance.
📖 Further Reading：Learn more about the technology of single-axis network transmitter (EoC) products.
In today’s environment, the use of network equipment is becoming increasingly common. However, in older buildings, some existing lines may already be in place, such as coaxial cables, telephone lines, and power lines. How can you utilize these existing lines to transmit network equipment signals without rewiring? Is there a method to achieve this?