pulse-coded modulation
Quick Summary
Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used in electronics to convert analog signals into digital form for transmission. It involves impressing information onto a carrier wave by using a code or order of pulses, typically of the same size and shape, transmitted at regular intervals. This process is a form of digital modulation where the information signal transforms the carrier into a series of constant-amplitude pulses in a coded format.12
PCM is advantageous because the receiving unit only needs to identify simple pulse patterns, which minimizes transmission losses and eliminates noise and interference. This technique is fundamental to digital audio in computers and is used in formats like compact discs (CDs), DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. The conversion from analog to digital is crucial for accurate and reliable telecommunication, especially for data transmission.23
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
modulationPulse modulationIn pulse modulation, a series of on-off pulses serve as the carrier wave that is subsequently modulated. In pulse-coded modulation (PCM), the information signal converts the carrier into a series of constant-amplitude pulses spaced in such a manner that the desired intelligence is…
Read MoreIn pulse modulation, a series of on-off pulses serve as the carrier wave that is subsequently modulated. In pulse-coded modulation (PCM), the information signal converts the carrier into a series of constant-amplitude pulses spaced in such a manner that the desired intelligence is…
Read More- telemetryTransmission.
In the second main class, pulse-code modulation, the information is coded digitally into groups of pulses and then transmitted.
Read MoreIn the second main class, pulse-code modulation, the information is coded digitally into groups of pulses and then transmitted.
Read More