Which Layer 1 device regenerates signals to extend transmission distance by maintaining signal integrity?

Which Layer 1 device regenerates signals to extend transmission distance by maintaining signal integrity?

• A. Repeater
• B. Hub
• C. Modem
• D. Switch

Answer: (A)

On the physical layer, signals weaken as they travel, and a repeater is designed to counter that by receiving the weakened signal, regenerating it to full strength, and then retransmitting it with clean timing. This restoration of the waveform preserves signal integrity and allows the link to cover a longer distance. The hub simply broadcasts the incoming signal to all ports without actively cleaning or timing it, so it doesn’t truly extend a link in a controlled way. A modem shifts signals between digital and analog forms for two different media, not to preserve LAN signal integrity over a long distance. A switch handles frames at the data link layer and forwards based on MAC addresses, without regenerating the physical signal to extend the link.

On the physical layer, signals weaken as they travel, and a repeater is designed to counter that by receiving the weakened signal, regenerating it to full strength, and then retransmitting it with clean timing. This restoration of the waveform preserves signal integrity and allows the link to cover a longer distance. The hub simply broadcasts the incoming signal to all ports without actively cleaning or timing it, so it doesn’t truly extend a link in a controlled way. A modem shifts signals between digital and analog forms for two different media, not to preserve LAN signal integrity over a long distance. A switch handles frames at the data link layer and forwards based on MAC addresses, without regenerating the physical signal to extend the link.