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Types of data transmission technology

Short answer

Data transmission types: by direction (simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex); by number of lines (serial, parallel); by timing (asynchronous with start/stop bits, synchronous with clock); by signal (baseband digital, broadband analog); and by switching (circuit, packet, message).

What are the different types of data transmission technology?

Data transmission technologies are classified by how bits are sent over the medium.

1. Based on direction

  • Simplex: one direction only (keyboard to computer, radio broadcast).
  • Half duplex: both directions but one at a time (walkie-talkie).
  • Full duplex: both directions at the same time (telephone).

2. Based on the number of lines

  • Serial transmission: bits are sent one after another over a single line. Cheap, used for long distance (USB, RS-232).
  • Parallel transmission: several bits are sent together on separate lines (printer port, internal buses). Fast, but costly and has skew over distance.

3. Based on timing

  • Asynchronous: each character is framed by start and stop bits; no common clock.
  • Synchronous: a continuous block of data with a common clock; faster, less overhead.

4. Based on signal type

  • Baseband (digital) transmission: the digital signal is placed directly on the line using line coding.
  • Broadband (analog) transmission: the data modulates a carrier (ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM).

5. Based on switching

  • Circuit switching, packet switching and message switching.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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