Stands for modulator/demodulator. A data communications device for sending and receiving data between computers over telephone circuits. It converts the digital signals from the computer into audio tones for transmission over ordinary telephone lines and converts incoming audio signals into digital signals for the computer. It is normally plugged directly into a standard telephone socket.

Related terms

control character

cable

dial-up

public switched telephone network (PSTN)

telecommunications

cable modem

fax modem

handshake

Term sub categories

Networks and communications technology
   hardware