What is the main function of a modem in regards to a computer?

Answer 1

The modem on a computer translates digital signals into an analogue 'noise', and transmits it down a telephone line.

This is received by another modem at the other end, which captures the signals, and converts them back into data.

It allows for transmission of digital data over an analogue telephone line.

Answer 2

The word "modem" is short for "modulator-demodulator" which is essentially what it does. A computer moves data around on parallel wires by applying one or another voltage to each wire (representing 0's and 1's) and the voltage is read at the other end of the wires. This is digital communication. In order for multiple computers to communicate over greater distances, a method was developed to exchange data over a world-wide pre-existing network: the telephone network. Telephone transmissions are analog in nature. Instead of streaming ones and zeroes with varying voltage over multiple parallel wires, signals are sent as analog wave frequencies (sounds) over a single wire.

The device that translates voltages into frequencies (digital into analog) and back again is called a modem. (Actually, a modulator converts digital to analog and a demodulator converts analog to digital.) In order for one computer to exchange data with another via a telephone line, the sending computer must activate its modem and dial the receiving computer. The receiving computer's modem must answer the call, "handshake" to establish communications, and signal its computer to be ready to receive. When this is done, the modems are in a state referred to as "connected". The two computers can exchange data, which the modems translate and pass through the telephone network

A modem (MOdulator DEModulator) allows one computer to connect to other systems.
Modem is short for Modulator/Demodulator. A modem receives analog signals from the cable provider (in this case a cable modem) and modulates the carrier signal to encode it into a digital signal readable by your router or NIC.

Answer 3

Modem is short for Modulator/Demodulator. It converts (modulates) digital signals into audio so they can be transmitted across a telephone system. It also converts (demodulates) audio signals back into digital signals (so the communication is two-way). Digital signals do not make noise and cannot travel across a system that moves only sound. The modem generates a sound and fluctuates the sound based on the information in the digital signal. Listening to the fluctuations, a modem can also convert the signal back to digital.

Answer 4

The word modem derives from the two words MOdulator-DEModulator. (The capitalized letters there are combined to make the word modem.) A modem is a device that modulates a digital data signal from a computer onto an analog signal that can then be sent over telephone lines. It is then demodulated back into digital form at the other end. Incoming digital information modulated onto an analog carrier is demodulated by the modem and its digital format restored. Basically a modem is the device that allows your computer to connect to the internet using phone lines.

Answer 5

Modem is short form for Modulation-Demodulation. Modem modulates digital signals into analog signals & demodulates received analog signals into digital signals that can be processed by Computers.

Answer 6

A modem is simply a device to interface two or more computers over considerable distances.

The word modem comes from a shortening of two words, "modulator demodulator." To modulate means to encode information into a format intended for transmission (such as converting speech to radio waves). To demodulate means to take something that is encoded and convert it back into the original information. A radio is an example of a demodulator as it converts radio waves to audio. A computer modem does both. It both converts computer data into a transmission format and converts this format back into the original data.

In the past, a modem referred to only a dial-up telephone modem that converted digital data into sound waves and back for use over regular telephone lines. Nowadays, there are cable modems, satellite modems, DSL modems, and likely even modems for transmitting data over the power lines.