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Transmission modes
The way in which data is transmitted from one device to another device is known as transmission mode.

The transmission mode is also known as the communication mode.

Each communication channel has a direction associated with it, and transmission media provide the direction.
Therefore, the transmission mode is also known as a directional mode.

The transmission mode is defined in the physical layer.

The Transmission mode is divided into three categories:

Simplex mode

Half-duplex mode

Full-duplex mode
Simplex mode

In Simplex mode, the communication is unidirectional, i.e., the data flow in one direction.

A device can only send the data but cannot receive it or it can receive the data but cannot send the data.

This transmission mode is not very popular as mainly communications require the two-way exchange of data. The
simplex mode is used in the business field as in sales that do not require any corresponding reply.

The radio station is a simplex channel as it transmits the signal to the listeners but never allows them to transmit back.

Keyboard and Monitor are the examples of the simplex mode as a keyboard can only accept the data from the user
and monitor can only be used to display the data on the screen.

The main advantage of the simplex mode is that the full capacity of the communication channel can be utilized during
transmission.

Advantage of Simplex mode:

In simplex mode, the station can utilize the entire bandwidth of the communication channel, so that more data can be
transmitted at a time.

Disadvantage of Simplex mode:

Communication is unidirectional, so it has no inter-communication between devices.

Half-Duplex mode

In a Half-duplex channel, direction can be reversed, i.e., the station can transmit and receive the data as well.

Messages flow in both the directions, but not at the same time.

The entire bandwidth of the communication channel is utilized in one direction at a time.

In half-duplex mode, it is possible to perform the error detection, and if any error occurs, then the receiver requests
the sender to retransmit the data.

A Walkie-talkie is an example of the Half-duplex mode. In Walkie-talkie, one party speaks, and another party listens.
After a pause, the other speaks and first party listens. Speaking simultaneously will create the distorted sound which
cannot be understood.

Advantage of Half-duplex mode:

In half-duplex mode, both the devices can send and receive the data and also can utilize the entire bandwidth of the
communication channel during the transmission of data.

Disadvantage of Half-Duplex mode:

In half-duplex mode, when one device is sending the data, then another has to wait, this causes the delay in sending
the data at the right time.
Full-duplex mode

In Full duplex mode, the communication is bi-directional, i.e., the data flow in both the directions.

Both the stations can send and receive the message simultaneously.

Full-duplex mode has two simplex channels. One channel has traffic moving in one direction, and another channel has
traffic flowing in the opposite direction.

The Full-duplex mode is the fastest mode of communication between devices.

The most common example of the full-duplex mode is a telephone network. When two people are communicating
with each other by a telephone line, both can talk and listen at the same time.

Advantage of Full-duplex mode:

Both the stations can send and receive the data at the same time.

Disadvantage of Full-duplex mode:

If there is no dedicated path exists between the devices, then the capacity of the communication channel is divided
into two parts.
Differences b/w Simplex, Half-duplex and Full-duplex mode

Basis for Simplex mode Half-duplex mode Full-duplex mode

comparison

Direction of In simplex mode, the In half-duplex mode, the In full-duplex mode, the communication
communication communication is communication is is bidirectional.
unidirectional. bidirectional, but one at a
time.

Send/Receive A device can only send the Both the devices can send Both the devices can send and receive
data but cannot receive it or it and receive the data, but the data simultaneously.
can only receive the data but one at a time.
cannot send it.

Performance The performance of half- The performance of full- The Full-duplex mode has better
duplex mode is better than the duplex mode is better performance among simplex and half-
simplex mode. than the half-duplex duplex mode as it doubles the utilization
mode. of the capacity of the communication
channel.

Example Examples of Simplex mode Example of half-duplex is Example of the Full-duplex mode is a
are radio, keyboard, and Walkie-Talkies. telephone network.
monitor.
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