PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)

Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) is a method used to convert analog audio signals into digital data for easier storage, transmission, and processing. It involves three main steps: sampling, which measures the amplitude of the analog signal at regular intervals; quantization, which rounds these measurements to the nearest value within a fixed set; and encoding, where these rounded values are represented as binary numbers. The resulting digital stream can be efficiently transmitted and reconstructed back into an audio signal. PCM is the foundational technology behind digital telephony, CDs, and many audio recording systems, ensuring accurate digital representation of sound.