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Backward Channel
  • In data transmission, a secondary channel whose direction of transmission is constrained to be opposite to that of the primary (or forward) channel. Note: The direction of transmission in the backward channel is restricted by the control interchange circuit that controls the direction of transmission in the primary channel.
  • The channel of a data circuit that passes data in a direction opposite to that of its associated forward channel. Note: The backward channel is usually used for transmission of supervisory, acknowledgement, or error-control signals. The direction of flow of these signals is opposite to that in which information is being transferred. The bandwidth of this channel is usually less than that of the forward channel; i. e. , the information channel. See also backward signal, data transmission, forward channel, forward signal, information-bearer channel.