User`s guide

GLOSSARY
48
asynchronous transmission
Data transmission in which the length of time
between transmitted characters may vary. Since the
time lapses between transmitted characters are not
uniform, the receiving modem must be signaled as
to when the data bits of a character begin and then
they end. The addition of start/stop bits to each
character serves this purpose.
auto answer
In this setting the modem can pick up the phone
line when it detects a certain number of rings. See
S-register S0 in the “Technical Reference” section.
autodial
A process where your modem dials a call for you.
The dialing process is initiated by sending an ATDT
(dial tone) or ATDP (dial pulse) command followed
by the telephone number to dial. Autodial is used to
dial voice numbers. See command Dn.
baud rate
A term used to measure the speed of an analog
transmission from one point to another. Although
not technically accurate, baud rate is commonly
used to mean bit rate.
binary digit
A 0 or 1, which reflects the use of the binary
numbering system. It is used because the computer
recognizes either of two states, OFF or ON. The
shortened form of binary digit is bit.
bit rate
This refers to the number of binary digits, or bits,
transmitted per second (bps). It is also referred to as
transmission rate. Communications channels using
telephone channel modems are established at set bit
rates, commonly 2400, 4800, 9600, 14,400, 28,800
and higher.
bits per second (bps)
This is the bits (binary digits) per second rate.
Thousands of bits per second are expressed as
kilobits per second or kbps.