Data circuit-terminating equipment: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:15, 3 April 2021

Revision as of 16:12, 30 April 2021

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{{short description|communications system component}}

[[File:Terminaladapter X.21.jpg|thumb|Terminal adapter for X.21]]

[[File:EIA 232 DTE DCE DCE DTE.png|thumb|500px|DCE and DTE network. ''Telefonnetz'' refers to a [[telephone network]]; EIA-232 is also called [[RS-232]], the [[serial communication]] standard.]]

A '''data circuit-terminating equipment'''<ref name="TIA_1997_232F"/> ('''DCE''') is a device that sits between the [[data terminal equipment]] (DTE) and a [[data transmission circuit]]. It is also called '''data communication(s) equipment'''<ref name="EIA_1969_RS232C"/> and '''data carrier equipment'''.{{cn|date=May 2013|reason=The definition of DCE I have seen most often over the decades is Data Communication Equipment. I would like to see more *historic* references for the various definitions.}} Usually, the DTE device is the [[Terminal (telecommunication)|terminal]] (or [[computer]]), and the DCE is a [[modem]].

In a [[data]] station, the DCE performs functions such as [[Signalling (telecommunication)|signal]] conversion, [[Channel coding|coding]], and line clocking and may be a part of the DTE or intermediate equipment. Interfacing equipment may be required to couple the data terminal equipment (DTE) into a transmission circuit or [[Communication channel|channel]] and from a transmission circuit or channel into the DTE.

==Usage==