If clients listen for an empty link before transmitting, how is it possible that collisions can occur?
Try an answer before revealing the guidance below.
Key Concepts
- Carrier sensing
- Propagation delay
- Simultaneous transmission
Answer Approach
- Consider two distant stations that sense the medium at nearly the same time.
- Ask how long it takes one station’s signal to reach the other.
- Explain why both can start on an apparently idle medium.
Full Answer
Answer status: Verified against study notes. Revision notes, not an official marking scheme.
Signals take time to propagate. Two stations can each sense an idle medium and begin transmitting before either station’s signal reaches the other. Their signals then overlap and collide.
Shortcuts: K concepts · A approach · F answer · R reviewed · B bookmark · ← / → previous / next