Half-duplex vs Full-duplex vs Simplex Transmission Mode

Simplex, Half-duplex and Full-duplex

What is Simplex Transmission Mode

Simplex transmission mode, also known as a simplex communication system, means a comm12unication system that supports transmitting data in one direction only over a single strand cable. Simplex communication is generally used in scenarios that only require one-direction data transmission, such as the communication between the computer and the printer since only the computer side needs to transmit data to the printer side. Examples of simplex data transmission mode also include television, radio broadcasting, etc. The following data flow explains how simplex mode of data communication works.

Simplex data flow:

Advantages and disadvantages of simplex mode:

Advantage:

- Devices required are simple.

- Allows direct communication between two devices without transferring through a base station.

Disadvantage:

- Only suitable for small capacity and simple communication networks.

- Easy to be disturbed during transmitting.

What is Half-Duplex Transmission Mode

Half-duplex transmission mode, also known as half-duplex communication, is different from simplex mode communication allowing only one direction transmission; it supports communication in both directions at different times. It should be noted that in half-duplex communication works in an alternating way. Both sides of communication allow transmitting and receiving data, but they can't send data at the same time, nor receive data simultaneously. When one side transmits data, the other side receives it, and vice versa. The following data flow explains how half-duplex transmissions work. 

Half-duplex data flow:

Example of a half-duplex communication system is the wireless walkie-talkie. Since at the same time, it only allows one party to talk, that’s why people usually say “over” as a code to inform the other side your message has finished transmitting and your partner can respond.

Advantages and disadvantages of simplex mode:

Advantage:

- It is good at conserving bandwidth since it only needs a single communication channel to achieve alternately transmission between the two directions.

Disadvantage:

- Signal loss or distortion will happen if more than one party transmits signals simultaneously.

- It has a low data transmission speed since the direction of data transmission is determined by an electronic switch, which will result in a time delay.

What is Full-Duplex Transmission Mode

Full-duplex transmission mode, also known as full-duplex communication, is an upgraded transmission mode of half-duplex communication, which allows communication in both directions at the same time. Also, it can be considered as a combination of two simplex mode communication systems. In full-duplex communication, independent transmit and receive abilities are required for both transmitting devices and receiving devices. Either end is equipped with a transmitter and receiver and the data transmitting is over two cables in full-duplex. The following data flow explains how full-duplex communication works. 

Full-duplex data flow:

An example of a full-duplex communication system is the telephone. When you speak to the other side, meanwhile, you can also hear the sound from the other side.

Advantages of full-duplex mode:

It gets high communication efficiency with data transmitting and receiving at the same time over two cables.

Differences between Simplex, Half-Duplex, and Full-Duplex Modes of Communication

Simplex vs Half-duplex Communication

The major differences between simplex and half-duplex transmission are as follows.

- Half-duplex communication optimized the unidirectional communication drawback of simplex mode, allowing communication in both directions.

- Only one device can transmit/receive the data in simplex communication, whereas half-duplex communication allows both devices to transmit/receive the data. 

- Half-duplex communication outperforms simplex communication.

The major common feature between simplex and half-duplex transmission is that both types of transmission modes support data transmission over a single strand cable.

Half-duplex vs Full-duplex Communication

The major differences between full-duplex and half-duplex transmission are as follows.

- Full-duplex communication supports either device transmitting and receiving data simultaneously while half-duplex does not. 

- Full-duplex communication requires two cables to transmit data, whereas half-duplex requires only one.

- Full-duplex communication outperforms half-duplex.

The major common feature between full-duplex and half-duplex communication is the supported direction of data transmitting and receiving. Both types of transmission modes support data transmitting and receiving in a two-way direction.

The differences and examples of simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex are concluded in the following tabular form.

Simplex vs Half-duplex vs Full-duplex

How to Choose Simplex and Duplex Optic Patch Cable

Simplex fiber optic cable consists of a single strand of glass while duplex fiber optic cable consists of two. Both simplex and duplex fiber optic patch cables have single-mode and multimode types to meet the different transmission distance requirements. Learn more about what single-mode fiber and multimode fiber are. 

Simplex patch cords are usually used in scenarios where only a single transmit and receive channel is required between devices. In optical communication networks, simplex fibers are widely applied in Bi-Directional systems by connecting a pair of BiDi transceivers.

Duplex fiber optic cables are more widely used than simplex cables. They are widely applied in duplex communication scenarios that separate transmit and receive are required between devices. In optical communication networks, duplex fibers are usually working with standard fiber optic transceivers like single-mode and multimode 10G SFP+, 40G QSFP+, and 100G QSFP28 transceivers.

QSFPTEK provides international standard compliant simplex patch cord and full-duplex fibers at the best price. Welcome to get a quote via [email protected].