Difference between Simplex Transmission Modes and Half Duplex Transmission Modes

Prerequisite – Transmission Modes in Computer Networks

1. Simplex Mode :

Simplex mode is as on a one-way street, the communication is unidirectional, as on a one-way street. In this, only one of the two devices on a link can transmit, and the other can only receive. This mode uses the entire capacity of the channel to send data in one direction.

Example:-  keyboard and monitor.

2. Half-duplex mode:

Half-duplex mode is when the sender can send the data and also can receive the data one at a time. It is two-way directional i.e. bi-directional communication but one at a time.

Example:- Walkie-Talkies.

Difference between Simplex Transmission Modes and Half Duplex Transmission Modes :

Sr.No.	Parameters	Simplex Mode	Half-duplex mode
1.	Definition	The sender can send the data but that sender can’t receive the data.	The sender can send as well as receive the data but does one task at a time.
2.	Data Flow	In simplex mode data flow is Unidirectional.	In Half duplex data flow is two-directional but one at a time.
3.	Bandwidth Utilization	In this bandwidth utilization is maximum.	In this there is less utilization of bandwidth during transmission.
4.	Performance	Simplex mode provides worst performance than full-duplex mode.	Half-duplex mode provides less performance than full-duplex mode.
5.	Data Transmission	In this, one station is the transmitter and the other is the receiver. Here, information is one way, that is, it is only the transmitter that sends data or information.	In this, two systems are connected by a point-to-point link to transmit and receive signals. Both ends can transmit signals but one at a time.
6.	Communication  Channel	Utilization of communication channel capacity in delivering data in one side.	Bandwidth gets saved by exchanging it alternately between both sides on a single communication channel.
7.	Suitable for	This transmission is suitable when data sending is required in one way only.	This transmission is suitable when data is sent in both directions, but in opposite directions.
8.	Examples	Keyboard and traditional monitors are an example of simplex mode.	Walkie-Talkies and Text messages are examples of half-duplex mode.