What is TTR Time-division Transmit and Receive

Time-Division Transmit and Receive (TTR)

TTR (Time-Division Transmit and Receive) is a communication technique used in various systems, particularly those employing shared mediums, to enable bidirectional communication. Here's a detailed explanation:

Core Principle:

  • TTR divides the available transmission time into discrete slots.
  • These slots are dedicated for either transmission (TX) or reception (RX).
  • Devices participating in the communication take turns transmitting and receiving data within their designated slots.

Benefits of TTR:

  • Shared Medium Efficiency: TTR allows multiple devices to communicate over a single channel by efficiently allocating time slots for each device to transmit and receive data. This prevents collisions and ensures smooth communication.
  • Synchronization: TTR requires strict synchronization between devices to ensure they switch between TX and RX modes at the correct times. This synchronization helps maintain data integrity.
  • Flexibility: TTR can be adapted to different scenarios by adjusting the size and allocation of time slots. For example, devices with higher bandwidth needs might be allocated larger slots.

Applications of TTR:

  • Wireless Communication Systems: TTR is a fundamental principle in various wireless protocols like WiMAX and LTE. These systems utilize TTR within frames, where each frame is divided into subframes for downlink (BS to UE) and uplink (UE to BS) communication.
  • Wired Serial Communication: Some wired serial communication protocols, like RS-485, also employ TTR principles. Devices share a single cable but take turns transmitting and receiving data to avoid collisions.
  • Bus Networks: In some bus networks, like I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit), devices communicate using TTR. The bus master controls the timing and sequence of transmissions, ensuring each device has its turn to transmit and receive data.

Implementation Details:

  • The specific implementation of TTR varies depending on the communication protocol.
  • In some cases, dedicated control signals might be used to indicate the start and end of transmission and reception slots.
  • Synchronization mechanisms are crucial to ensure all devices switch between modes at the appropriate times.

Comparison to Other Techniques:

  • Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM): FDM divides the available frequency spectrum into separate channels for different devices to transmit simultaneously. While FDM avoids the need for time-sharing, it requires additional hardware to support multiple frequencies.
  • Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA): CDMA allows multiple devices to transmit on the same frequency simultaneously by using unique spreading codes to differentiate their signals. However, CDMA can be more complex to implement compared to TTR.

In conclusion, TTR is a versatile and efficient communication technique that enables bidirectional communication over shared mediums. It plays a significant role in various wired and wireless communication systems.