Terminology » Data Communication » Codec vs. Modem: Key Differences Explained

Codec vs. Modem: Key Differences Explained

codec modem telecommunication modulation data transmission

This article clarifies the differences between codecs and modems, two essential devices in telecommunications. Both play distinct roles in enabling communication over various mediums.

A codec is primarily responsible for data compression, reducing the space or bandwidth required for transmission. Before compression, an analog-to-digital conversion takes place using the coder component of the codec.

A modem, on the other hand, facilitates the transmission of baseband information (voice or data, either analog or digital) over a distance. It converts this information into a suitable form for transmission, minimizing errors and data loss.

Codec: Coder-Decoder

The term “codec” is short for “Coder-Decoder.” A codec converts analog data into digital data and vice versa.

  • Transmission: It converts analog data into a digitally coded form.
  • Reception: It converts the digitally coded data back to its original analog form.

Examples include analog audio tones. Codecs are found in various devices such as sound cards, voicemail systems, scanners, video conferencing equipment, mobile phones, and laptops.

Modem: Modulator-Demodulator

The term “modem” is short for “Modulator-Demodulator.” A modem modulates the baseband information at the transmission end and demodulates the modulated signal at the receiving end.

  • Modulation: Converts baseband information into a form suitable for transmission. The input can be analog or digital, but the carrier used for modulation is always analog. A modulator invariably converts any type of input data into analog form.
  • Demodulation: Reverses the modulation process, recovering the original baseband information.

Examples of analog modulation include AM (Amplitude Modulation), FM (Frequency Modulation), and PM (Phase Modulation). Digital modulation examples include ASK (Amplitude Shift Keying), FSK (Frequency Shift Keying), and PSK (Phase Shift Keying).

More complex modulation techniques used in modems include QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM (6 bits/carrier), and 256QAM (8 bits/carrier). These techniques map multiple bits onto a single analog carrier. For instance, in QPSK, 2 bits are represented by one analog carrier frequency, while in 16QAM, 4 bits are mapped to one carrier, and so on.

Modem Standards

The following table summarizes various modem standards and their characteristics:

Modem StandardsDescription
V.221200-2400 baud/bps (FM)
V.32 , V.32bisFull duplex at 9600 bps (2400 baud at QAM). V.32bis uses TCM to achieve 14,400 bps.
V.34• for phone networks using digital transmission beyond the local loop. • 59 combinations of symbol rate and modulation technique. • symbol rates 3429 baud. Its bit rate is up to 28,800 bps (TCM-8.4).
V.34+Up to 33.6 kbps with TCM-9.8
V.42bisUses Lempel-Ziv encoding and attains 3.5:1 to 4:1. V.42bis compression can be added to almost any modem standard effectively tripling the data rate.
V.90Allows 56 kbps (download) and 33.6 kbps (upload)
V.92Allows 56 kbps (download) and 48 kbps (upload), it uses PCM for both download and upload