Your R&D team is comparing baseband and broadband networking. Which statement correctly contrasts baseband and broadband on a single cable?

Introduction / Context: Baseband and broadband describe how signals share a medium. Understanding the difference guides technology selection for LANs, MANs, and access networks.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We compare how many channels share one physical cable.
• We assume traditional definitions used in networking texts.
• Physical details like modulation are abstracted.

Concept / Approach: Baseband transmits a single digital signal over the entire bandwidth of the medium (one channel per cable). Broadband uses frequency-division techniques to carry multiple independent channels simultaneously on the same cable.

Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Baseband: entire medium bandwidth devoted to one channel; signaling is typically digital.2) Broadband: divide medium bandwidth into sub-bands; modulate carriers so several channels coexist.3) Therefore, the correct contrast is: baseband = single channel per cable; broadband = several channels per cable.

Verification / Alternative check: Historical examples: Ethernet on coax (baseband) vs CATV coax (broadband) carrying TV channels and data simultaneously.

Why Other Options Are Wrong: Several cables carry one channel: Impractical and not the definition of baseband.

LAN vs WAN distinction: Scope (LAN/WAN) is not inherent to baseband/broadband.

Fixed vs variable bit rates: Not the defining property.

Infrared-only: Incorrect; terms apply across many media and frequencies.

Common Pitfalls: Assuming “broadband” simply means “fast.” It specifically implies multiple channels via frequency division.

Final Answer: Baseband networks carry a single channel on a single cable, whereas broadband networks carry several channels on a single cable