MODES OF DATA TRANSMISSION

PREPARED BY ARVIND SHARMA

Modes of Data Transmission

Three different modes of data transmission used for communication purposes are:
• Simplex
• Half-duplex
• Full-duplex

Simplex
In a simplex transmission, only one device transmits data or signal at a time and all other devices can
only receive data. Simplex transmission is like a one-way traffic and data flows only in one direction as
shown in figure 2.1. One device assumes the role of transmitter and the other assumes the role of
receiver. These roles cannot be reversed.

An example of a simplex transmission is a television or radio broadcast. The main transmitter sends out
a signal (broadcast), but it does not expect a reply, as the receiving devices like TV Antenna cannot
send a reply back to the transmitter.

Transmitter Receiver
TX RX

Figure 2.1: A Simplex Transmission (Only one-way transmission)

Half-duplex
In a half-duplex transmission, there is only one channel to carry data. However, both devices can be
transmitter or receiver by sharing the channel, but only one device can transmit at a time. While one
device is in transmitting mode, the other will be in receiving mode as shown in figure 2.2.

An analogy to half-duplex transmission is single lane tunnel on a double lane highway. Vehicles can
enter the tunnel from both directions, but not at the same time. Vehicles on one side must wait until
traffic coming from the opposite direction exits the tunnel.

A common example of a half- duplex communication is a citizens band (CB) radio. A user of a CB radio
can either be sender or receiver but not both at the same time i.e. user can either hear or talk but not
both at the same time.

Figure 2.2: Half-duplex transmission (One-way transmission at a time)

Full-duplex
A full-duplex transmission uses two separate communication channels to carry data. Full-duplex link
allows simultaneous sending and receiving of data in both directions and can be thought of as the
combination of two simplex lines, one in each direction as shown in figure 2.3. An analogy to full-duplex

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transmission is double lane highway. Vehicles can travel in both directions simultaneously, but in their
designated lanes.

An example of a full-duplex communication is a telephone. A person using a telephone can either be

sender or receiver at the same time i.e. person can hear and talk at the same time. All the new network
cards are full duplex.

Transmitter Transmitter
TX TX

Receiver Receiver
RX RX

Figure 2.3: Full-duplex transmission (Two-way simultaneous transmission)

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