[Beowulf] propagation velocity in cables

[Prentice Bisbal]

On 09/05/2012 07:43 PM, Vincent Diepeveen wrote:
> The interesting question is that big satellite disk on the roof as well.
> Microwave is simply civil allowed frequency i was told. Around
> 2800Mhz or so?
> How fast is such communication?
>
> Using a powerful laser would it somehow be possible to rival speeds
> of these cables?

The current issue of Wired magazine has a feature article on this topic. 
If you look at the infogram on in the article, it compares different 
networks used for trading between NYC and Chicago. Right now microwave 
networks are the fastest. It's not a perfect comparison, because the 
microwaves travel a shorter distance than the wired routes, but 
microwaves still seem to be faster.

It's interesting that the one microwave network, McKay Brothers, set up 
their antennas in a "near perfect circle"


http://www.wired.com/business/2012/08/ff_wallstreet_trading/all/

Prentice