What is the main characteristic of half-duplex transmission?

Half-duplex transmission allows data to be sent and received, but not simultaneously. This means that while one device is sending data, the other device must wait until the transmission is complete before it can respond or send its own data. This characteristic is crucial in communication scenarios where bandwidth may be limited, as it efficiently manages the flow of data through a single channel.

For instance, a walkie-talkie operates on a half-duplex system, where one party speaks and the other must wait until that party has finished before responding. This is in contrast to full-duplex communication, where both devices can send and receive data at the same time, thus maximizing the efficiency of the connection.

Understanding how half-duplex works is important in network design and telecommunications, as it impacts how devices are configured to communicate effectively without data collision.