Definition
VoIP refers to Voice Over IP, which is the process of transmitting voice signals across telephones that connect to an Internet Protocol network instead of a typical phone system. VoIP uses three types of technology for communication: ATA, IP phones or computer-to-computer service. ATA is the most common and uses a telephone adaptor for standard phones. IP phones use devices that are normal phones with network connectors for Ethernet networks, and computer-to-computer uses laptops or desktops that act as phones.
Signal Transmittal
Voice is converted to digital signals and transmitted. When phone calls are made, the voice signals are taken by the computer network managing the devices. The network uses packet-switching technology and CODECs. The CODEC is software that can convert voice (sound) into electronic, digital signals. The digital signal is broken up for faster delivery and transmitted via packet-switching technology. Packet switching is a blend of network software and hardware which can route packets efficiently and assemble them in order, despite how they are sent and arrive.
Signal Receipt
The signals are received on the other end of the VoIP network. A CODEC is waiting on the other end; it receives the digital packets and reassembles them using packet-switching. The digital packets are converted back to analog signals (sound) and relayed to the phone or device on the other end.
Tags: digital packets, digital signals, packet-switching technology, voice signals