Simple Explanation

A digital method for transmitting analog data by converting it into a series of binary signals (1’s and 0’s), allowing us to represent complex waveforms.

Concise Technical Definition

PCM is a digital technique for transmitting analog signals by sampling the amplitude of the waveform and converting each sample into a binary code (1’s and 0’s). It enables the digitization of all types of analog data, including audio, video, and other complex signals.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Imagine turning a smooth wave into a series of "steps" that represent its ups and downs. Each "step" is a 1 or a 0, and together they recreate the wave in digital form.

Industry Usage Summary

PCM is widely used in digital audio and video systems, including CDs, DVDs, digital audio workstations, and telecommunications. It is the foundation for transmitting all types of analog signals in a digital form, making it essential for high-quality, lossless audio and video encoding.

Engineering Shortcut

A method of converting analog signals into binary form (1’s and 0’s) for digital transmission.

Full Technical Explanation

Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) is a method for digitally representing analog signals. In PCM, the analog signal is sampled at regular intervals, and each sample's amplitude is quantized into a binary number. These binary values (1's and 0's) represent the original signal and can be used for transmission or storage. PCM can be used for various types of analog data, including audio, video, and other signals, by converting them into a digital form. This technique forms the backbone of digital communication systems and is widely used in applications such as CDs, DVDs, digital audio, and broadcasting. PCM is considered a lossless method because it can represent the original analog waveform with high accuracy.