In telecommunications we can find multiple terms and characteristics that allow communication to take place normally. In this article we are going to talk about Duplex. More specifically, we are going to see the differences between Half Duplex and Full Duplex . Basically we can say that it allows communications to use simultaneous sending and receiving channels.
What does Duplex mean in communications
First of all we are going to explain what the term Duplex means . It refers, by itself, to the ability to send and receive data. Duplex is often used when talking about conversations over the phone or computer equipment.
This, therefore, is the system that allows two-way communications to be maintained, something that is basic today, since it can receive and send messages simultaneously.
Now, the ability to be able to transmit in Duplex mode is conditioned by different levels. One of these levels is the physical medium to be able to transmit in both directions, also the transmission system to be able to send and receive at the same time and finally the protocol or communication standard that you use.
We can find different possibilities. Let’s see how Full Duplex and Half Duplex differ.
Differences between Full Duplex and Half Duplex
Full Duplex
On the one hand we can begin to explain what Full Duplex means. This term describes the simultaneous transmission and reception of data through a channel. A device that is Full Duplex is capable of bidirectional network data transmissions at the same time.
In Full Duplex, it has better performance by doubling the use of bandwidth. An example of the use of Full Duplex is on a telephone. Here the communication is simultaneous and bidirectional. It is also present in network switches.
We can take as an example a two-way road. Cars can pass through in both directions . The same happens with the communication in the Full Duplex. That is why this transmission mode offers better performance.
Regarding Internet connections, there is a point to take into account and that is that wired connections, those that connect Ethernet cables, are Full Duplex. This enables better speeds to be obtained.
Half Duplex
On the other hand we have the option of Half Duplex . These types of devices can only transmit in one direction at a time. With this mode, data can move in two directions, but not at the same time. Therefore communication is bidirectional, but one at a time.
We can say that it offers a lower performance compared to Full Duplex for what we mentioned. An example of how to use it would be a walkie-talkie. They can both speak, but not at the same time. One has to wait for the other to finish.
Let’s imagine again a highway with two lanes. Vehicles can go one way and another, but not both at the same time. That is to say, the cars that go in one direction would have to wait for all those that go in the opposite direction to pass and then continue the march.
These Half Duplex networks will require a mechanism to avoid data collisions. You need to check if there is something transmitting before trying to send something to avoid problems.
The Half Duplex or half duplex mode is the one present in Wi-Fi networks. We already know that wireless networks are increasingly present in our day-to-day lives and have improved notably in recent years, but they still have certain problems in terms of stability and do not achieve the same speed as wired networks. They are also required in Internet hubs.
Ultimately we can say that the main difference between Half Duplex and Full Duplex is that the communication goes in a single direction or in both simultaneously. In addition to this key difference, the rest is in the mode of use and in the situations in which we are going to use one or the other option.
