PCM

Pulse Code Modulation

A digital representation of an analog signal used in digital audio technology. In PCM, the amplitude of the analog signal is sampled regularly at uniform intervals, and each sample is quantized to the nearest value within a range of digital steps.

The process of converting an analog signal to PCM involves two main steps: sampling and quantization. Sampling is the process of measuring the amplitude of the analog signal at regular time intervals. Quantization, on the other hand, is the process of approximating the sampled amplitude values to a finite set of discrete values, which can be represented using binary code.

PCM is widely used in digital audio applications, such as CDs, DVDs, and digital telecommunication systems. It is the standard form of digital audio in computers and other digital systems, providing high-quality audio reproduction. However, because PCM stores audio data in an uncompressed form, it typically results in larger file sizes compared to compressed formats like MP3 or AAC.

• Abbreviation: PCM