Computer Science – Methods of error detection | e-Consult

An echo check is a basic error detection method where the sender transmits a signal, and the receiver immediately repeats the same signal back to the sender. The sender then compares the received signal with the original transmitted signal. If they match, it is assumed that the transmission was successful. If they don't match, an error is detected.

Limitations: Echo checks are very limited in their ability to detect errors. They can only detect whether a signal was received at all. They cannot identify the type or location of the error. For example, if a single bit is flipped during transmission, the echo check will still pass, as the signal is received.

Situations where it might be useful: Echo checks are useful in situations where a simple, low-cost error detection mechanism is required, and the transmission channel is relatively reliable. They are often used in simple communication systems, such as basic serial communication or in situations where the consequences of undetected errors are not severe. They can also be used as a preliminary check before employing more sophisticated error detection techniques.