Transmission mode refers to the direction of signal flow between two linked devices. It describes how data is transmitted between devices in a network. Here are the primary transmission modes:
Simplex Mode:
- In this mode, communication is unidirectional, meaning data can be sent in only one direction.
- An example is a radio or television broadcast where the audience receives the signal but doesn’t send any data back.
Half-Duplex Mode:
- In half-duplex mode, data can be sent in both directions, but not at the same time.
- An example is a walkie-talkie, where a person speaks (transmits) and the other listens (receives). Once the first person finishes speaking, the roles can be reversed.
Full-Duplex Mode:
- Here, data can be sent in both directions simultaneously.
- An example is a telephone conversation, where both people can speak and listen at the same time without waiting.
Multiplexing:
- While not a transmission mode in the traditional sense, multiplexing allows multiple signals to be combined and transmitted over a single channel. There are various multiplexing techniques, such as Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), that enable efficient use of bandwidth.
The selection of a transmission mode depends on the communication devices, the nature of the communication, and the infrastructure in place. For instance, while full-duplex might be ideal for real-time communication systems, half-duplex might be sufficient for systems where immediate response isn’t necessary.