Modulation

Systematic changing of properties (e.g., amplitude, frequency, phase) of an analog signal to

 

encode and convey digital information.

MNP

Microcom Networking Protocol. An asynchronous communications protocol that provides

 

error correction.

Multiplexer

(1) Any multiport device that allows two or more users to share a common physical

 

transmission channel; employed in pairs, one at each end of the channel, where each device

 

performs both multiplexing of the multiple user inputs and demultiplexing of the channel

 

back into the separate user data streams. (2) A device that allows two or more analog data

 

signals to be transmitted simultaneously over a single telephone line.

Off-hook

The description for when a telephone or modem connects to the dial line and presents

 

electrical characteristics, similar to when a telephone handset is removed from the cradle.

Parity bit

An error-checking mechanism for asynchronous transmission. An additional nondata bit

 

added to a group of bits, that indicates whether the number of 1’s in the group is odd or even.

PBX

Private branch exchange. A telephone switching system located on a customer’s premises.

Phase jitter

The deviation in phase of the transmitted analog signal from its timing signal; often caused

 

by alternating current components in a telecommunications network. It is continuous,

 

long-term, and often nearly constant in frequency and severity.

Point-to-point

A line that directly connects two end points (e.g., a remote location to a host computer);

 

opposite of multipoint.

Port

A connector and associated circuitry enabling digital data to be injected into or retrieved

 

from a communications network.

Protocol

Formal set of rules governing the format, timing, sequencing, and error control of

 

exchanged messages on a data network.

PSTN

Public Switched Telephone Network.

PTT

Postal Telegraph and Telephone. Government authority (in many European companies) that

 

typically operates the public telecommunications network, sets standards and policies, and

 

negotiates communications issues internationally for a particular country.

QAM

Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. A type of modulation that varies both the phase and

 

amplitude of an analog wave.

RS-232-D

See EIA/TIA 232-D.

RTS

Request To Send. The signal from a terminal to its co-located modem that prepares the

 

modem for data transmission.

SDC

See Synchronous Data Compression.

SDLC

Synchronous data link control; bit-oriented protocol developed by IBM.

Start bit

A data bit used in asynchronous transmission to signal the beginning of a character.

Stop bit

A data bit used in asynchronous transmission to signal the end of a character.

STX

Start of text control character. Designates the start of a message's text as well as (usually) the

 

end of the message heading.

Glossary

Glossary-5

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