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The document outlines three modes of data transmission: simplex, half duplex, and full duplex, each defined by the direction of signal flow between devices. Simplex allows one-way communication, half duplex permits two-way communication but only one at a time, while full duplex enables simultaneous two-way communication. Full duplex is the most efficient mode, maximizing bandwidth usage compared to the other two modes.

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7 views

Network Connections notes

The document outlines three modes of data transmission: simplex, half duplex, and full duplex, each defined by the direction of signal flow between devices. Simplex allows one-way communication, half duplex permits two-way communication but only one at a time, while full duplex enables simultaneous two-way communication. Full duplex is the most efficient mode, maximizing bandwidth usage compared to the other two modes.

Uploaded by

Bradley T Bonono
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Network Connections

Data transmission modes


There are three modes of transmission, namely: simplex, half duplex, and full duplex. The
transmission mode defines the direction of signal flow between two connected devices.
The primary difference between three modes of transmission is that in a simplex mode of
transmission the communication is unidirectional, or one-way; whereas in the half duplex mode of
transmission the communication is two-directional, but the channel is interchangeably used by both
of the connected devices. On the other hand, in the full duplex mode of transmission, the
communication is bi-directional or two-way, and the channel is used by both of the connected
devices simultaneously.

Comparison Chart
Basis for
Simplex Half Duplex Full Duplex
Comparison
Direction of Two-directional, one at a Two-directional,
Unidirectional
Communication time simultaneously
Sender can send and Sender can send and
Sender can only send
Send / Receive receive data, but one a receive data
data
time simultaneously
Worst performing Best performing mode of
Performance Better than Simplex
mode of transmission transmission
Example Keyboard and monitor Walkie-talkie Telephone

Simplex
In simplex transmission mode, the communication between sender and receiver occurs in only one
direction. The sender can only send the data, and the receiver can only receive the data. The
receiver cannot reply to the sender.
Simplex transmission can be thought of as a one-way road in which the traffic travels only in one
direction—no vehicle coming from the opposite direction is allowed to drive through.
To take a keyboard / monitor relationship as an example, the keyboard can only send the input to
the monitor, and the monitor can only receive the input and display it on the screen. The monitor
cannot reply, or send any feedback, to the keyboard.

Half Duplex
The communication between sender and receiver occurs in both directions in half duplex
transmission, but only one at a time. The sender and receiver can both send and receive the
information, but only one is allowed to send at any given time. Half duplex is still considered a
one-way road, in which a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction of the traffic has to wait till the
road is empty before it can pass through.
For example, in walkie-talkies, the speakers at both ends can speak, but they have to speak one by
one. They cannot speak simultaneously.
Full Duplex
In full duplex transmission mode, the communication between sender and receiver can occur
simultaneously. The sender and receiver can both transmit and receive at the same time. Full
duplex transmission mode is like a two-way road, in which traffic can flow in both directions at the
same time.
For example, in a telephone conversation, two people communicate, and both are free to speak and
listen at the same time.

Key Differences of the Three Transmission Modes


 In simplex mode, the signal is sent in one direction. In half duplex mode, the signal is sent in
both directions, but one at a time. In full duplex mode, the signal is sent in both directions at
the same time.
 In simplex mode, only one device can transmit the signal. In half duplex mode, both devices
can transmit the signal, but one at a time. In full duplex mode, both devices can transmit the
signal at the same time.
 Full duplex performs better than half duplex, and half duplex in turn performs better than
simplex.
 Simplex: The keyboard sends the command to the monitor. The monitor cannot reply to the
keyboard.
 Half duplex: Using a walkie-talkie, both speakers can communicate, but they have to take
turns.
 Full duplex: Using a telephone, both speakers can communicate at the same time.
 The full duplex transmission mode offers the best performance among the three, on account
of the fact that it maximises the amount of bandwidth available.

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