What's Difference Between Simplex , Duplex And Half Duplex ?
Answers
Answer:
There are three modes of transmission namely: simplex, half duplex, and full duplex. Transmission mode defines the direction of flow of signal between two connected devices.
The primary difference between three modes of transmission is that in a simplex mode of transmission the communication is unidirectional or one-way whereas, in the half duplex mode of transmission the communication is two-directional, but the channel is interchangeably used by the both the connected devices. On the other hand, in the full duplex mode of transmission, the communication is bi-directional or two-way, and the channel is used by both the connected devices simultaneously.
Comparison Chart
Basis for Comparison Simplex Half Duplex Full Duplex
Direction of Communication Unidirectional Two-directional, one at a time Two-directional, simultaneously
Send / Receive Sender can only send data. Sender can send and receive data, but one a time. Sender can send and receive data simultaneously.
Performance Least performing mode of transmission. Better than Simplex Most performing mode of transmission.
Example Keyboard and monitor Walkie-talkie Telephone
Simplex
In a simplex transmission mode, the communication between sender and receiver occurs only in one direction. The sender can only send the data and the receiver can only receive the data. The receiver cannot reply to the sender.
Simplex is like a one-way road in which the traffic travels only in one direction, no vehicle from the opposite direction is allowed to enter.
For example, the keyboard can only send the input to the monitor and the monitor can only receive the input and display it on the screen. The monitor cannot reply nor send any feedback to the keyboard.
Half Duplex
The communication between sender and receiver occurs in both the directions in a half duplex transmission but, one at a time. The sender and receiver both can send and receive the information but, only one is allowed to send at a time. Half duplex is still considered a one-way road, in which a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction of the traffic has to wait till the road is empty.
For example, in walkie-talkies, the speaker at both ends can speak but they have to speak one by one. Both cannot speak simultaneously.
Full Duplex
In a full duplex transmission mode, the communication between sender and receiver can occur simultaneously. The sender and receiver can both transmit and receive at the same time. The full duplex transmission mode is like a two-way road in which traffic can flow in both directions at the same time.
For example, in a telephone, two people communicate, and both are free to speak and listen at the same time.
Key Differences between the Three Transmission Modes
In a simplex mode, signal is sent in one direction. In a half duplex mode, signal is sent in both directions, but one at a time. In a full duplex mode, signal is sent in both directions at the same time.
In a simplex mode, only one device can transmit the signal. In a half duplex mode, both devices can transmit the signal, but one at a time. In a full duplex mode, both devices can transmit the signal at the same time.
Full duplex performs better than half duplex and half duplex performs better than simplex.
Simplex: The keyboard sends the command to the monitor. The monitor cannot reply to the keyboard.
Half duplex: Using a walkie-talkie, both speakers can communicate, but they have to take turns.
Full duplex: Using a telephone, both speakers can communicate at the same time.
The full duplex transmission mode offers the best performance among the three as it maximizes the bandwidth.
Explanation: