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Difference Between Pulse and Tone Dialing
In telecommunication systems, pulse and tone are two different kinds of signals. Tone signals are analogue signals represented by a continuous waveform, whereas pulse signals are digital signals represented by a sequence of on/off pulses or voltage levels.
Read this article to find out more about Pulse and Tone and how they are different from each other.
What is Pulse Dialing?
In telecommunications systems, pulse refers to a way of signal transmission that involves sending electrical pulses down the telephone line. This method, also known as pulse dialing, is widely used in older systems for dialing telephone numbers.
In pulse dialing, a sequence of electrical pulses of various lengths is sent down the telephone line to indicate the number being dialled. Each pulse represents a different number or indication. A single pulse, for example, represents the number "1," while ten pulses represent the number "0."
To dial a phone number using pulse dialing, the user generates the necessary number of pulses by pressing the phone's rotary dial or push-button keypad. The pulses are then transmitted down the phone line to the switching center, where they are translated into the desired number or signal.
Pulse dialing has the disadvantage of being slower and less accurate than tone dialing, which is why it is being phased out of modern telecommunications networks. Pulse dialing is also more susceptible to errors produced by line noise or interference, which can result in dialing incorrect numbers.
Despite these disadvantages, pulse dialing is still used in some older systems, such as certain kinds of fax machines, and it is an essential part of telecommunication technology's history and development.
What is Tone Dialing?
Tone refers to a way of transmitting signals in telecommunications systems that uses audio tones of different frequencies. This method, also known as tone dialing, is widely used in modern systems for dialing telephone numbers.
Tone dialing is the process of pressing a button on a phone keypad to produce an audio tone of a particular frequency. Each button corresponds to a different tone that corresponds to a different number or signal. For example, the tone for "1" is a single tone at 697 Hz, whereas the tone for "7" is a combination of two tones at 852 Hz and 1209 Hz.
Tone dialing has the benefit of being less prone to errors caused by line noise or interference because audio tones are less influenced by these factors than electrical pulses. Tone dialing is also more flexible than pulse dialing because it can be used for purposes other than dialing phone numbers, such as controlling automated systems or transmitting data.
Difference between Pulse and Tone Dialing
The following table highlights the major differences between Pulse and Tone Dialing −
Characteristics |
Pulse Dialing |
Tone Dialing |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
In telecommunications systems, pulse dialing refers to a way of signal transmission that involves sending electrical pulses down the telephone line. |
Tone dialing refers to a way of transmitting signals in telecommunications systems that uses audio tones of different frequencies. |
Duration |
Pulse duration is short, measured in milliseconds or microseconds. |
It is continuous; tones can last for seconds, minutes, or longer. |
Amplitude |
The pulse has a distinct peak amplitude. |
Tone has its peak-to-peak value. |
Frequency |
kHZ or MHz |
human hearing or beyond |
Applications |
It is used in digital communication, radar, and timing applications. |
It is used in audio and music production, speech communication, and signal processing. |
Complexity |
Pulse is complicated. |
The tone is simple. |
Keypads |
Pulse is a Rotary Designer. |
Tone is a numeric style. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the terms pulse and tone in telecommunications systems refer to different methods of signal transmission. To indicate a particular number or signal, pulse dialing sends electrical pulses down the telephone line, whereas tone dialing uses audio tones of various frequencies.
Pulse signals are digital signals that are represented by a sequence of on/off pulses or voltage levels, whereas tone signals are analogue signals that are represented by a continuous waveform. In digital communication systems, pulse signals are frequently used, whereas tone signals are commonly used in analogue communication systems.
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