Short form for modulator / demodulator. The modem converts the digital (binary) data from the computer into analog data in order to be sent via the analog telephone line and vice versa. On both sides of the telephone line a modem needs to convert data for the connected computers.

Contemporary modems offer a speed of 33,6K (33600 bit per second) or 56K.

Modems are available as internal PCI cards or as PCMCIA versions for notebooks as well as externally with USB interface or serial bus.






Modem im deutschen Lexikon
Modem in het nederlandse encyclopedie