Glossary 75

escape: 1) To cancel the task currently in progress. 2) A code (ASCII
code 27, generated by the Esc key) telling the computer that what
follows are commands, not data. Used with peripheral devices such
as printers and modems.
Error con trol: Detection of errors in data comm unication. Requests
retransmission of data in which errors were found.
Escape control: This code is used to return to the command state without
disconnecting the line when the internal modem is online.
FFIFO: First-In/First-Out means the first data that enters a buffer is the
first to be retrieved.
Fallb ack: Reduction of a modem’s speed. If the remote modem cannot
communicate as fast as the local modem, the local modem will
reduce its speed.
firmware: A set of instructions built into a chip to control its activities.
Flow control: Flow control ensures smooth data communication. If
operating speed differs between the personal computer and modem
or between your modem and a remote modem and if the remote
station runs short of buffer capacity, a transmission halt request is
sent from the receiver to the transmitter. When the receiver has
enough buffer capacity to resume receiving data, a transmission
restart request is sent. There are two ways of flow control, XON and
OFF control codes and CTS and RTS signals.
frequency: The number of times a signal repeats an identical cycle within
a certain time period.
full duplex: A type of data transmission in which data flows between two
devices in both directions simultaneously. See also half duplex.
Ggigabyte (GB): A unit of data storage equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes (1024
x 1024 x 1024 bytes). See also byte.
Guard time: An interval before and after an escape sequence that
prevents the modem from interpreting the escape sequence as data.
Hhalf duplex: A type of data transmission in which data flows between
two devices in one direction at a time. See also full duplex.