Information transfer

In telecommunications, information transfer is the process of moving messages containing user information from a source to a sink via a communication channel. In this sense, information transfer is equivalent to data transmission which highlights more practical, technical aspects.

Ancient Egyptian drawing depicting a courier delivering a letter.

The information transfer rate may or may not be equal to the transmission modulation rate.

Bidirectional information transfer is called information exchange.

Non-technical meaning

In a non-technical context, information transfer is sometimes used to signify knowledge transfer or teaching. A successful transfer of information depends on many aspects, not least the choice of the specific medium (media-adequacy).

See also

• Federal Standard 1037C in support of MIL-STD-188.
• Information-transfer transaction