Transmission Modes in Computer Networks Ad closed by Google Transmission mode refers to the mechanism of transferring of data between two devices connected over a network. It is also called Communication Mode. These modes direct the direction of flow of information. There are three types of transmission modes. They are: 1. Simplex Mode 2. Half duplex Mode 3. Full duplex Mode Transmission Mode Cee Cee GedIn this type of transmission mode, data can SIMPLEX Mode be sent only in one direction i.e. communication is unidirectional. We cannot send a message back to the sender. Unidirectional communication is done in Simplex Systems where we just need to send a command/signal, and do not expect any response back. Examples of simplex Mode are loudspeakers, television broadcasting, television and remote, keyboard and monitor etc. Direction of Data —® Monitor CPU [tSHALF DUPLEX Mode = Half-duplex data transmission means that data can be transmitted in both directions on a signal carrier, but not at the same time. For example, on a local area network using a technology that has half-duplex transmission, one workstation can send data on the line and then immediately receive data on the line from the same direction in which data was just transmitted. Hence half- duplex transmission implies a bidirectional line (one that can carry data in both directions) but data can be sent in only one direction at a time. Example of half duplex is a walkie- talkie in which message is sent one at a time but messages are sent in both the directions. Direction of data 1 ——> al = =___ <— Direction of data 2 —_-_._FULL DUPLEX Mode In full duplex system we can send data in both the directions as it is bidirectional at the same time in other words, data can be sent in both directions simultaneously. Example of Full Duplex is a Telephone Network in which there is communication between two persons by a telephone line, using which both can talk and listen at the same time. Direction of Data. <> = = In full duplex system there can be two lines one for sending the data and the other for receiving data. Direction of Data. 4 a Direction of Data. ——> eaeSerial and Parallel Data Transmission Data transmission can occur in two modes (methods), either serial or parallel. Serial data transmission In serial data transmission, bits are sent sequentially (one after the other) down the same wire (channel).Using a single wire reduces costs but slows down the speed of transmission. Sending data sequentially is perfect for transmitting over longer distances as there are no synchronisation issues. Uses of serial transmission ¢ Transmission to another computer or to external devices e Medium to long distancesParallel data transmission In parallel data transmission, multiple bits are sent simultaneously down different wires (channels) within the same cable. Data is synchronised by a clock, however this becomes problematic over longer distances where synchronisation errors may start to occur. Using parallel wires is more expensive but transmission is faster. Uses of parallel transmission e Fast transmission within a computer system Short distances ¢ Integrated Circuits (IC), BussesSerial Transmission: In Serial Transmission, data-bit flows from one computer to another computer in bi-direction. In this transmission one bit flows at one clock pulse. In Serial Transmission, 8 bits are transferred at a time having a start and stop bit. Serial TransmissionParallel Transmission: In Parallel Transmission, many bits are flow together simultaneously from one computer to another computer. Parallel Transmission is faster than serial transmission to transmit the bits. Parallel transmission is used for short distance. Computer 2 Parallel TransmissionDifference between Serial and Parallel Transmission: S.NO Serial Parallel Transmission Transmission In serial In Parallel transmission, Transmission, data(bit) flows data flows in in bi-direction. multiple lines. Serial Parallel Transmission ‘Transmission is cost is not cost efficient. efficient. In serial In Parallel transmission, Transmission,one bit transferred at one clock pulse. Serial Transmission is slowin comparison of Parallel Transmission. Generally, Serial Transmission eight bits transferred at one clock pulse. Parallel Transmission is fast in comparison of Serial Transmission. Generally, Parallel Transmission is used for long is used for distance. The circuit used in Serial Transmission is simple. short distance. The circuit used in Parallel Transmission is relatively complex.Types of Transmission Media In data communication terminology, a transmission medium is a physical path between the transmitter and the receiver i.e it is the channel through which data is sent from one place to another. Transmission Media is broadly classified into the following types: a — —=1. Guided Media: It is also referred to as Wired or Bounded transmission media. Signals being transmitted are directed and confined in a narrow pathway by using physical links. Features:¢ High Speed e Secure ¢ Used for comparatively shorter distances There are 3 major types of Guided Media: (i) Twisted Pair Cable — It consists of 2 separately insulated conductor wires wound about each other. Generally, several such pairs are bundled together in a protective sheath. They are the most widely used Transmission Media. Twisted Pair is of two types: 1. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): This type of cable has the ability to block interference and does not depend ona physical shield for this purpose. It is used for telephonic applications. Advantages:o Least expensive o Easy to install o High speed capacity o Susceptible to external interference o Lower capacity and performance in comparison to STP o Short distance transmission due to attenuation . Shielded Twisted Pair (STP): This type of cable consists of a special jacket to block external interference. It is used in fast-data-rate Ethernet and in voice and data channels of telephone lines. Advantages: o Better performance at a higher data rate in comparison to UTP o Eliminates crosstalk o Comparitively faster ° Comparitively difficult to install and manufactureo More expensive o Bulky (ii) Coaxial Cable — It has an outer plastic covering containing 2 parallel conductors each having a separate insulated protection cover. Coaxial cable transmits information in two modes: Baseband mode(dedicated cable bandwidth) and Broadband mode(cable bandwidth is split into separate ranges). Cable TVs and analog television networks widely use Coaxial cables.Advantages: ¢ High Bandwidth ¢ Better noise Immunity e Easy to install and expand e Inexpensive Disadvantages:¢ Single cable failure can disrupt the entire network (ili) Optical Fibre Cable — It uses the concept of reflection of light through a core made up of glass or plastic. The core is surrounded by a less dense glass or plastic covering called the cladding. It is used for transmission of large volumes of data. The cable can be unidirectional or bidirectional. The WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexer) supports two modes, namely unidirectional and bidirectional mode.Advantages: ¢ Increased capacity and bandwidth ° Light weight ¢ Less signal attenuation ¢ Immunity to electromagnetic interference * Resistance to corrosive materials Disadvantages: ¢ Difficult to install and maintain ¢ High cost ¢ Fragile2. Unguided Media: It is also referred to as Wireless or Unbounded transmission media.No physical medium is required for the transmission of electromagnetic signals. Features: * Signal is broadcasted through air e Less Secure ¢ Used for larger distances There are 3 major types of Unguided Media: (i) Radiowaves — These are easy to generate and can penetrate through buildings. The sending and receiving antennas need not be aligned. Frequency Range:3KHz — 1GHz. AM and FM radios and cordless phones use Radiowaves for transmission.Further Categorized as (i) Terrestrial and (ii) Satellite. (ii) Microwaves — It is a line of sight transmission i.e. the sending and receiving antennas need to be properly aligned with each other. The distance covered by the signal is directly proportional to the height of the antenna. Frequency Range:1GHz — 300GHz. These are majorly used for mobile phone communication and television distribution. (iii) Infrared — Infrared waves are used for very short distance communication. They cannot penetrate through obstacles. This prevents interference between systems. Frequency Range:300GHZ — 400THz. It is used in TV remotes, wireless mouse, keyboard, printer, etc.Difference between Bandwidth and Data Rate 1. Bandwidth : Bandwidth is defined as the potential of the data that is to be transferred in a specific period of time. It is the data carrying capacity of the network or transmission medium. In simple words, it is the maximum amount of data that can be transferred per second on a link. It is generally measured in bits per second(bps), Mega bits per second(Mbps) or Giga bits per second(Gbps). For example, if bandwidth is 100 Mbps, it means maximum 100 Mb data can be transferred per second on that channel. 2. Data Rate : Data Rate is defined as the amount of data transmitted during a specified time period over a network. It is the speed at which data is transferred from one deviceto another or between a peripheral device and the computer. It is generally measured in Mega bits per second(Mbps) or Mega bytes per second(MBps). For example, if bandwidth is 100 Mbps but data rate is 50 Mbps, it means maximum 100 Mb data can be transferred but channel is transmitting only 50 Mb data per second. Difference between Bandwidth and Data Rate:. _, Itis the amount It is the potential of the data that is . transmitted of data to be transferred . . . . during a specified ina specific . . time period over a period of time. network. It is the number . . It is the speed of of bits per second : data that a link can . . transmission. send or receive. Normally it is It is normally measured in bps, measured in Mbps Mbpsor Gbps. or MBps. It refers to to It refers to the maximum data actual data transmission transmission speed. speed. It is physical While it is layer property in common inall OSI model. layers.It shows the capacity of the channel. It does not depend on properties of sender or receiver. It shows the present speed of data transmission. While it gets affected by sender or receiver.