transceiver

A transceiver, short for transmitter–receiver, is an electronic device that transmits and receives signals using the same or closely related circuitry. It is used to establish two-way communication and is common in radio, telecommunications, and data networks. The term encompasses devices that house both a transmitter and a receiver, often sharing a single antenna or optical interface.

In radio-frequency applications, a transceiver includes the RF front end, modulation/demodulation stages, a transmitter chain, a receiver chain, and a control section. A transmit/receive switch or duplexer selects the antenna path to either transmit or receive. Transceivers may operate in half-duplex (one direction at a time) or full-duplex (simultaneous two-way) modes, and may support various modulation schemes.

Types include wireless transceivers in consumer devices (Bluetooth, Wi‑Fi), cellular modems, and professional equipment; and electro-optical transceivers in fiber-optic networks, which convert electrical signals to optical signals and back. In networking, transceiver modules such as SFP, SFP+, and QSFP plug into switch or router ports to provide fiber connectivity.

Performance characteristics include transmit power, receiver sensitivity, noise figure, linearity, data rate, modulation, and bandwidth. Standards and regulations govern frequency bands and power limits, varying by country. Transceivers may be integrated in a single chip (system-on-a-chip) or offered as standalone modules.