PCM Encoding
PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) encoding is a digital representation method for analog signals, widely used in audio and telecommunications. It involves sampling an analog signal at regular intervals, quantizing each sample to a discrete value, and encoding it into binary digits. This process forms the foundation for digital audio formats like WAV, AIFF, and CD audio, enabling high-fidelity sound storage and transmission.
Developers should learn PCM encoding when working with digital audio processing, multimedia applications, or telecommunications systems, as it provides a fundamental understanding of how analog signals are converted to digital data. It's essential for implementing audio codecs, designing audio interfaces, or optimizing storage and bandwidth in applications like VoIP, streaming services, or audio editing software, where raw or compressed audio data manipulation is required.