Data transmission

Data transmission is sending and receiving digital or analog data between devices. This
can be achieved through different mediums, such as cables, optical fibers, or wireless
signals. In our daily lives, data transmission is essential, whether sending and receiving
emails, answering phone calls, or watching our favorite TV shows. While in business,
video conferencing, sending inquiries to e-commerce sites, and streaming services
enable global engagement from one device to another.

However, slow loading times on websites or applications may occur due to data
transmission issues such as bandwidth, latency, hardware compatibility, and so much
more. These common factors can significantly impact both business operations and user
experience. This is where the content delivery networks (CDNs) play such a vital role in
data transmission.

With this guide, we will walk you through every aspect of the topic, exploring the
intricacies of data transmission and how content delivery networks (CDNs) tackle these
issues. Additionally, you will gain insight into how data transmission works, the
importance of high-speed data transfer, and how you can utilize CDN on your website.

How does data transmission work?

Data transmission involves at least two or more digital devices communicating over a
network, and requires a few key components:

Sender. The device that starts the transmission of data.

Receiver. The device that receives the data sent by the sender.

Message or data. This is the information transmitted from one device to another,
including text, images, audio, video, or any other form of content.

Medium. The physical path or channel through which data is transmitted, such as an
optical cable or wireless transmission.

Protocol. A set of rules governing the format, timing, and sequencing of data
transmission.
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Now, you might be wondering how these elements can work efficiently. Well, there are
several ways that data transmission can be carried out. To give you an idea, we can
categorize data transmission modes based on three factors.

What are different factors in data transmission based upon?

The direction of information. This indicates how the flow of information is transmitted.
There are three main categories—simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex—which we’ll
explore further in the next section.

The level of synchronization. This refers to the degree of syncing between the sender
and the receiver. Data transmission modes can be categorized as either synchronous or
asynchronous.

The number of bits sent. This number pertains to the bits transmitted concurrently
throughout the network. This categorization includes two main types—serial and
parallel.

Since several factors are involved, let’s focus on the first one we mentioned. We’ll begin
by discussing the different ways we can categorize data transmission based on the
direction of information being exchanged. Let’s dive into various modes of data
transmission that fall under this factor.

What are the types of data transmission?

When it comes to data transmission, there are various modes based on factors we
outlined above. It’s not as simple as just receiving or sending data in one direction or
another. Data transmission modes can differ based on these factors.

Here is a closer look at the ways data can be transmitted between parties:

1. Simplex transmission. It’s a mode of communication where the data can only flow in
one direction, meaning it’s unidirectional. In this mode, the sender can send data, but
they can’t receive it. Similarly, the receiver can only receive data and not send it back.
So, it’s a bit like a one-way street, where data flow can only go in one direction.
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Simplex data transmission: Device 1 sending information to device 2 in one-way
transmission

You may be thinking, “what if the receiver wants to send a message back?” That’s
precisely why this mode isn’t as popular as other modes. However, it does have its uses
in the business world, where a corresponding reply isn’t necessary. For instance, you
may have noticed that radio and TV transmissions, as well as desktop input devices like
keyboards and mice, often use the Simplex mode. In these cases, there’s no need for
two-way communication between the sender and receiver. If we watch TV or listen to
the radio, the simplex transmission sends signals to our devices without needing a
response from the sender.

2. Half-duplex transmission. Another type of data transmission mode is known as half-

duplex, which allows data to flow in both directions, but only one direction at a time.
Unlike simplex mode, which only allows data to be transmitted in one direction, half-
duplex allows each station to transmit and receive data. However, each station can only
send or receive data at a given time, meaning that when one device sends data, the
other can only receive it, and vice versa. It’s similar to a two-lane highway where only
one direction of traffic can go at once.

Half-duplex data transmission: Data flow from device 1 to device 2 (and vice-versa), but
not at the same time

This mode of data transmission is useful when two parties do not need to communicate
with each other concurrently. It’s beneficial in detecting errors when there’s a problem
with the sender or receiver not receiving or sending data correctly. In such instances,
the recipient may need to re-transmit the data.

To illustrate this concept further, consider two people using a walkie-talkie to

communicate. They can’t talk simultaneously, so one person must finish speaking before
the other can reply. The same applies to internet browsers, where a user sends a
request for a website, and the server sends the requested page back to the user.
Suppose any errors occur during the transmission process—if this happens, the browser
may need to request the server’s data again.

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3. Full-duplex transmission. In full-duplex data transmission, information can flow in
both directions simultaneously, allowing for two-way communication. Unlike half-
duplex, which only allows one direction of data flow at a time, full-duplex enables both
stations to transmit and receive data concurrently, making it bidirectional.

Full-duplex data transmission: Data flow on both device 1 and device 2 occurs
simultaneously

The diagram above illustrates how the channel capacity is shared between both
endpoints, allowing for simultaneous communication. Full-duplex mode is an ideal
choice when two-way communication is required. In contrast, half-duplex mode only
allows communication to flow in one direction at a time—as we discussed earlier, much
like a walkie-talkie where the sender needs to pause before the recipient can reply.

To better understand full-duplex mode, imagine a phone call between two people
where both parties can talk and listen to each other at the same time. Similarly, full-
duplex mode enables two stations to communicate in real time, with both endpoints
able to send and receive data simultaneously.

Let’s quickly summarize what we’ve learned about transmission modes, their
communication direction and channel usage, including the benefits and drawbacks of
each mode and the best scenarios to use them. You can refer to the table below for a
quick overview.

Transmission mode: Simplex

Communication Unidirectional (one channel)

(direction and channel usage) :

Bandwidth consumption: Maximum bandwidth available

Advantages: Since data only travels in one direction, there are minimal or no concerns

regarding data traffic problems

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Disadvantages: No communication between devices, no error checking or
retransmission

Ideal for: Broadcasting, TV/radio transmission

Transmission mode: Half-duplex

Communication Bidirectional (alternating, one channel)

(direction and channel usage):

Bandwidth consumption: Lower use of a single bandwidth

Advantages: Enables bidirectional communication and enables optimal

utilization of

the communication channel

Disadvantages: Slower communication than full-duplex, limited to one-

way at a time

Ideal for: Walkie-talkies, Internet browsers, older LAN technologies

Transmission mode: Full-duplex

Communication: Bidirectional (simultaneous, two channels)

(direction and channel usage)

Bandwidth consumption: Utilizes twice as much transmission bandwidth As well as being

the quickest mode of device connectivity,

Advantages: it allows for simultaneous two-way communication in both

directions

Disadvantages: Data transport also lacks a dedicated path, Two portions make up
the

communication channel’s capacity.

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Ideal for: Telephones, newer LAN technologies, video conferencing

Now that we’ve explored the various modes of data transmission, let’s dive into the
second category, which is all about the level of synchronization between the sender and
receiver—synchronous and asynchronous transmission.

Synchronous transmission

This is a full-duplex type of transmission that allows data to be transmitted without

start/stop bits or any gaps between them, and the sender and receiver are synchronized
by the same clock signal. Using this method is a way of sending information in a smooth,
continuous stream without any pauses and interruptions.

Synchronous transmission: Data flows from sender to receiver are synchronized with
the same clock signal

As you can see in the diagram, this method of transmission sends data in blocks of bits,
which arrive at the receiver as a stream of bits. The receiver needs to group the bits
correctly to make sense of the message. Next, the receiver counts the bits as they come
in and groups them into units of eight bits. Lastly, the receiver keeps listening to the
message even if no data is being transmitted, and it receives information at the same
rate that the transmitter sends it.

You may be wondering what the use cases for synchronous transmission are. Well,
synchronous transmission can be helpful for real-time data transfer in various fields,
including computer networking (such as Ethernet and fiber optic communications), and
computer systems (such as CPUs and RAM).

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Asynchronous transmission

In this type of transmission, the data is sent in a half-duplex manner, with start and stop
bits added to the message during transmission. These bits ensure that the data is
transmitted accurately from the sender to the receiver. Unlike synchronous
transmission, which relies on a clock signal to maintain a steady pace for sending and
receiving data, asynchronous transmission doesn’t have this signal. However, this
transmission method can still be reliable because the speed of data transfer is
negotiated based on the capabilities of the devices involved.

Asynchronous transmission: Data flows from sender to receiver with stop/start bits and
also has a data gap between them

Based on the diagram above, in asynchronous transmission, the start bit is typically set
to binary “0,” and the stop bit is set to binary “1.” Additionally, there is a data gap
between each character that begins and ends with the start and stop bits. This gap is
called a “mark state,” typically represented by a binary “1” or negative voltage.

Asynchronous transmission works well for slower speeds, but data can always be
compressed to increase transfer rates. A common example of asynchronous
transmission is when data is entered using a computer keyboard.

Now that we’ve covered the different levels of synchronization in data transmission,
we’ll proceed to the aspect of transmitting data that’s defined by the number of bits
sent across the network. This category breaks down into two types: serial and parallel.

Serial transmission

Serial data transmission involves sending data bits one at a time over the transmission
channel. This means that the bits are sent sequentially rather than in parallel. To receive
data correctly, the sender and receiver must be synchronized. The data stream takes
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some time to send, but the order of the data bits is sustained, ensuring data integrity.
This mode of transmission is ideal for small amounts of data or long-distance transfers,
such as data transfer between two computers via serial ports.

Parallel transmission

Parallel data transmission sends multiple data bits at once using parallel channels. It’s
like many lanes on a highway where each lane carries different data. Other cables help
the sender and receiver communicate. Parallel transmission is useful for transferring
large amounts of data quickly, but it works best over short distances. However, if
multiple transmission channels are too close, it can affect the quality of the data signal.
Additionally, it can be costly because it requires more channels. An example of parallel
transmission is how a computer communicates with a printer.

Serial transmission
Features

Definition: One bit at a time is transmitted over a single communication line

Speed: Relatively slower due to single-bit transmission Due to multiple-bit

transmission

Distance: Long-distance communication

Cost: Low-cost

Complexity: Simple and requires fewer components

Parallel transmission
Features

Definition: Multiple bits are transmitted simultaneously over multiple communication

lines

Speed: it is considerably faster

Distance: Short-distance communication

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Cost: Expensive

Complexity: Sophisticated, requiring additional components

It’s great to learn about these fascinating aspects of data transmission. However, as
regular users, we all know how frustrating it can be when we’re trying to send or receive
a message or file and it takes forever to load. With that in mind, let’s dive into the next
section of this article and explore how we measure data transfer rates. Since speed is so
crucial for transferring data efficiently—especially in e-commerce, media, and our daily
communications—understanding transfer rates is fundamental in our comprehension of
how data is transmitted.

What is a data transfer rate?

The data transfer rate (DTR) is the speed at which data moves from one location to
another. One quick example is when transferring data between two devices, such as two
computers on the same LAN network or when moving files from a hard disk to a flash
drive. However, the data transfer rate can vary depending on several factors like
latency, transmission media, and many others, which we will discuss later. But how do
we calculate data transfer rate? Here’s a formula:

Data Transfer Rate (DTR) = Amount of data transmitted / Time (seconds)

where: amount of data is the size of the data being transferred, typically measured in
bits or bytes;

time is the duration of the data transfer, typically measured in seconds.

The data transfer rate is usually expressed in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second
(Kbps), megabits per second (Mbps), or gigabits per second (Gbps), depending on the
speed of the transfer.

Let’s put this in practice: Suppose you need to transfer a file that is 10 megabytes (MB)
in size and takes 20 seconds to transfer the file. To calculate, let’s use the formula above
so we can determine the data transfer rate. Here’s a table to categorize each data:
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Amount of data Time

We will convert 10 megabytes to megabits as we are using megabits per second (Mbps).
(Note: 1 byte equals 8 bits.)

10 × 8 = 80 megabits

20 seconds

So, the data transfer rate is:

DTR = 80 MB / 20 seconds = 4 Mbps

Based on this calculation, the data transfer rate for this file transfer is 4 megabits per
second (Mbps). To check how fast you can transfer data, you can also look at the speed
of your internet service provider by measuring the upload and download speed. One
way to do this is by using Speed test by Gcore, which will help you identify any delays or
problems with your connection. Essentially, this test will give you a clear picture of how
smoothly your data can be transferred over the internet.

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