What is duplexing ?

Duplexing is the process of achieving two-way communications over a communications channel. It takes two forms: half duplex and full duplex.

In half duplex, the two communicating parties take turns transmitting over a shared channel. Two-way radios work this way. As one party talks, the other listens. Speaking parties often say “Over” to indicate that they’re finished and it’s time for the other party to speak. In networking, a single cable is shared as the two computers communicating take turns sending and receiving data.

Full duplex refers to simultaneous two-way communications. The two communicating stations can send and receive at the same time. Landline telephones and cell phones work this way. Some forms of networking permit simultaneous transmit and receive operations to occur. This is the more desirable form of duplexing, but it is more complex and expensive than half duplexing.