Data Communication Equipment


Data Communication Equipment

(communications, hardware)(DCE) The devices and connectionsof a communications network that connect the communicationcircuit between the data source and destination (the Data Terminal Equipment or DTE). A modem is the most commonkind of DCE.

Before data can be transmited over a modem, the DTR (DataTerminal Ready) signal must be active. DTR tells the DCE thatthe DTE is ready to transmit and receive data.

DCE and DTE are usually connected by an EIA-232 serial line. It is necessary to distinguish these two types ofdevice because their connectors must be wired differently if a"straight-through" cable (pin 1 to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2 etc.)is to be used. DCE should have a female connector and shouldtransmit on pin two and receive on pin three. It is a curiousfact that many modems are "DTE" according to the originalstandard.