Apple GeoPort Telecom Adapter Kit - Manual (Page 69)

A
analog transmission Transmission of a continuously
variable signal as opposed to a discretely variable signal.
Physical quantities such as temperature are continuously
variable and so are described as analog. Data characters, on
the other hand, are coded in discrete separate pulses or
signal levels, and are described as digital. The normal way of
transmitting a telephone or voice signal has been analog, but
now digital encoding is coming into use over trunk lines.
Compare with digital signal.
answer mode The connection mode in which the
modem answers the telephone.
application program A program that puts the resources
and capabilities of the computer to use for some specific
purpose or task, such as word processing, database
management, graphics, or telecommunications.
asynchronous Not synchronized by or with a
clocking signal.
asynchronous transmission Transmission in which
each information character is individually synchronized,
usually by the use of start and stop bits. The gap between
each character isn’t necessarily fixed. Compare with
synchronous transmission.
auto-answer A modem capability that allows automatic
answer when the phone rings.
auto-dial The ability to initiate a connection with another
modem automatically.
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G L O S S A R Y