Scribd
Upload
50 views

Works Across Apps and Sites: Simplex, Half-Duplex, And, Full-Duplex Explained

Uploaded by

oluwatosin Pereira
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
50 views

Works Across Apps and Sites: Simplex, Half-Duplex, And, Full-Duplex Explained

Uploaded by

oluwatosin Pereira
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

11/27/22, 10:17 PM Simplex, Half-duplex, and, Full-duplex Explained

Simplex, Half-duplex, and, Full-duplex Explained


This tutorial explains the difference between simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex. Learn what the data transmission
modes are and how they are used.

Works Across Apps and

Sites
Grammarly

What is the data transmission mode?


A data transmission mode describes how two devices in a network communicate or exchange data. It specifics the
direction in which signals travel over the media and the number of signals that can traverse the media at any given
time.

Types of transmission mode


There are three types of transmission modes. These types are Simplex, Half-duplex, and Full-duplex. Let's discuss
these methods in detail.

Simplex
Simplex is also called one-way or unidirectional. It allows communication in one direction only. Since signals travel
in only one direction, the sender device uses the entire communication channel or all available bandwidth. The
receiver device only receives signals. The receiver can't reply to the sender by using the same communication
channel. TV remotes, garage door openers, and smart speakers are some examples of Simplex.

You can use the remote to control TV programs and functions, but you can't use the TV to control the remote in
any way.

Half-duplex
https://www.computernetworkingnotes.com/networking-tutorials/simplex-half-duplex-and-full-duplex-explained.html 1/3
11/27/22, 10:17 PM Simplex, Half-duplex, and, Full-duplex Explained

Half-duplex allows communication in both directions but not at the same time. Signals travel in both directions
over a medium but in one direction only at a time. Since signals travel in only one direction, a device can either
send or receive data at a given time. A network card set to Half-duplex cannot receive data when it is sending data.
To receive data, it needs to change the direction of data flow. To change direction, a special signal is used and
acknowledged. The time required to turn over control to the other side is called the line turnaround time.

Railway tracks and walkie-talkies are examples of half-duplex. Only one train can run on a railway track at a time. If
a train is on the track, the second train has to wait until the first train leaves the track.

Full-duplex
Full-duplex is also called two-way or bidirectional. It allows communication in both directions simultaneously. It
divides the available channel into two parts and uses one part to send data and the other part to receive data.
Since there is a separate path for sending and receiving data, a device can simultaneously perform both tasks at a
given time.

A two-lane highway is an example of a full-duplex. A two-lane highway uses dedicated lanes for incoming and
outgoing traffic.

Auto-sensing
A network interface card can operate in both half-duplex mode and full-duplex mode. All modern NICs run in full-
duplex mode. Some older NICs only support half-duplex. Auto-sensing is a feature that allows a NIC to
automatically detect whether the remote NIC supports full-duplex.

https://www.computernetworkingnotes.com/networking-tutorials/simplex-half-duplex-and-full-duplex-explained.html 2/3
11/27/22, 10:17 PM Simplex, Half-duplex, and, Full-duplex Explained

Differences between simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex


Simplex Half-duplex Full-duplex

It provides one-way It provides two-way communication It provides two-way


communication. but one way at a time. communication at the same
time.

A device can only send data, but A device can send and receive data A device can send and receive
it cannot receive data. but one at a time. data at the same time.

It utilizes less bandwidth than It utilizes more bandwidth than It utilizes more bandwidth than
half-duplex and full-duplex. simplex but less than full-duplex. simplex and half-duplex.

It uses one channel to transmit It also uses one channel to transmit It uses two separate channels to
data. data. transmit data.

Keyboards and scanners are Hubs and old NICs are examples of Switches and modern NICs are
examples of simplex. half-duplex. examples of full-duplex.

That’s all for this tutorial. If you like this tutorial, please share it with friends via your favorite social networking sites
and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

By ComputerNetworkingNotes
Updated on 2022-04-09 10:38:37 IST


ComputerNetworkingNotes

Networking Tutorials

Simplex, Half-duplex, and, Full-duplex Explained

Ethernet 5-4-3 rule Explained Differences between Physical and Logical topology
We do not accept any kind of Guest Post. Except Guest post submission,
for any other query (such as adverting
opportunity, product advertisement, feedback,
suggestion, error reporting and technical issue) or simply just say to
hello
mail us [email protected]

Computer Networking Notes and Study Guides © 2022. All Rights Reserved.
About Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

https://www.computernetworkingnotes.com/networking-tutorials/simplex-half-duplex-and-full-duplex-explained.html 3/3

You might also like