Communication Protocols

For devices to communicate they need an arrangement to communicate in a given language. This arrangement is governed by a set of rules or laws called a protocol. The protocol must define many different aspects of the communication language however given rules dictate that a protocol must as least classify

The rate of transmission (baud or bps)

Synchronous or asynchronous

Half-duplex or full-duplex mode

There are a variety of standard protocols from which programmers can choose. Each has particular advantages and disadvantages; for example, some are simpler than others, some are more reliable, and some are faster.

From a user's point of view, the only interesting aspect about protocols is that your computer or device must support the right ones if you want to communicate with other computers. The protocol can be implemented either in hardware or in software.

Simplex

Simplex refers to one way only transmission of data. An analogy of simplex transmission is a TV, whereby a TV set can receive the signal yet is not capable of sending a signal.

Half Duplex

Half duplex refers to one way transmission of data at any one time. An analogy of half duplex transmission is In contrast, a walkie-talkie is a half-duplex device because only one party can transmit at a time.

Full Duplex

Refers to the transmission of data in two directions simultaneously. For example, a telephone is a full-duplex device because both parties can talk at once.

Analogue

Analogue simply refers to electronic transmission achieved by adding signals of varying frequency or amplitude to carrier waves of a frequency of alternating electromagnetic current. Television, radio and phone transmission have traditionally used analogue technology. Analogue also stands for any fluctuating or continually changing process. It is always represented as a series of sine waves.

Digital

Digital refers to electronic technology that creates, stores, and processes data in terms of two simple states, either a 1 or