data transfer rate

communications (Or "throughput") The ammount of data

transferred in one direction over a link divided by the time

taken to transfer it, usually expressed in bits or bytes per

second.

Where data transfer is not continuous throughout the given

time interval, the data transfer rate is thus an average rate

that will be lower than the peak rate. The peak or maximum

possible rate may itself be lower than the capacity of the

communication channel used if the channel is shared, or part

of the signal is not considered as data, e.g. checksum or

routing information.

The other important characteristic of a channel is its

latency.

[Is this correct?]

(2001-05-22)