acoustic coupler

1 definition found

acoustic coupler - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  acoustic coupler
  
     <hardware, communications> A device used to connect a modem
     to a telephone line via an ordinary handset.  The acoustic
     coupler converts electrical signals from the modem to sound
     via a loudspeaker, against which the mouthpiece of a telephone
     handset is placed.  The earpiece is placed against a
     microphone which converts sound to electrical signals which
     return to the modem.  The handset is inserted into a
     sound-proof box containing the louspeaker and microphone to
     avoid interference from ambient noise.
  
     Acousitic couplers are now rarely used since most modems have
     a direct electrical connection to the telephone line.  This
     avoids the signal degradation caused by conversion to and from
     audio.  Direct connection is not always possible, and was
     actually illegal in the United Kingdom before British Telecom
      was privatised.  BT's predecessor, the General Post
     Office, did not allow subscribers to connect their own
     equipment to the telephone line.
  
     (1994-11-08)