Computer Networking

Full-Duplex mode has double bandwidth as compared to the half-duplex. The capacity
of the channel is divided between the two directions of communication. This mode is
used when communication in both directions is required simultaneously.

For Example, a Telephone Network, in which both the persons can talk and listen to
each other simultaneously.

Following are the advantages of using a full-duplex transmission mode:

1. The two-way communication can be carried out simultaneously in both

directions.
2. It is the fastest mode of communication between devices.

Following are the disadvantages of using a half-duplex transmission mode:

1. The capacity of the communication channel is divided into two parts. Also, no
dedicated path exists for data transfer.
2. It has improper channel bandwidth utilization as there exist two separate paths
for two communicating devices.

What is Simplex Transmission Mode?

In this mode, we have unidirectional communication- meaning it’s a one-way street.
Out of the two connecting devices, only one is capable of transmission- the other one
is only capable of receiving. The simplex mode can always utilize a channel’s entire
capacity for sending the data in a single direction.

For Example – Traditional monitors and keyboards use the Simplex transmission
mode. In this case, the monitor can only generate the output, and the keyboard can
only introduce an input in the system.

What is Half Duplex Transmission Mode?

In this mode, every station can both- receive and transmit data- but not at the very
same moment. When one of the devices sends information, the other one can only
then receive it. It also happens vice versa because the transmission is not
unidirectional. The half-duplex mode comes into play in those cases where we don’t
need the transmission in both directions at the same moment.

For Example – A walkie-talkie uses the Half-Duplex Transmission Mode. Here, we

send messages in both directions, but the transmission still occurs in one direction at
a time.

What is Full Duplex Transmission Mode?

Compiled By Dr. Debabrata Dutta Session 2023 2024 Page 8
 Computer Networking

In this mode, both the stations have the ability to both receive and transmit data
simultaneously. The signals that go in one direction in a Full-Duplex mode share the
link’s capacity with the signals that go in the other direction. Such kind of sharing can
occur in two alternative ways:

The transmission link must have two transmission paths that are physically separate-
one of them for receiving and the other one for sending.

The link can divide the capacity between the signals that travel in either of the
directions.

The Full-Duplex communication mode comes into play when one requires a
continuous connection in both directions all the time. However, it needs to divide the
channel’s capacity between both these directions.

For Example – Telephone networks that establish communication between two people
via a telephone line use the Full Duplex method. Here, the individuals can listen as
well as talk at the very same time.

Difference Between Simplex, Half Duplex, and Full Duplex Transmission Modes

Simplex Transmission Half Duplex Full Duplex

Parameters
Mode Transmission Mode Transmission Mode
It is a mode of It is a mode of
transmission in which It is a mode of transmission in which
the flow of data is transmission in which the flow of data is bi-
unidirectional. It the flow of data is bi- directional. But here,
means that the directional but only in the devices can send as
participant can do one direction at a time. well as receive data
Definition
only one task at a It means that the simultaneously at the
time in a single receiver can receive as same time. It means
direction. The receiver well as send data but that the receiver can
can only receive data can perform only one of receive as well as send
and not send it (and these tasks at a time. data at the very same
vice versa). time with no hitch.
The Full-Duplex Mode
As already mentioned The Half-Duplex Mode
supports a BiDirectional
above, the Simplex supports a
flow of data in both
Flow of Data Mode supports a BiDirectional flow of
directions at the same
UniDirectional flow of data but in one
time (simultaneous
data. direction at a time.
flow).
The sender can only A device can both send Both the devices or end
send data. But there’s and receive data. But it stations in the
Sender and no option to receive it cannot perform both transmission can act as
Receiver (and vice versa). Thus, the processes together- senders as well as
the transmission only one thing is receivers. The
involves one station as possible at a time. This transmission also occurs

Compiled By Dr. Debabrata Dutta Session 2023 2024 Page 9