DTMF stands for Dual Tone Multi-Frequency. It is a telecommunication signaling technology that is widely used in telephone systems to transmit digits or tones over the analog network. DTMF is a method of encoding and transmitting numbers and symbols as a combination of two separate audible tones.
In DTMF signaling, each digit on a telephone keypad is assigned a unique combination of two frequencies: one low-frequency tone and one high-frequency tone. There are a total of 16 possible combinations (4 rows and 4 columns) representing the digits 0-9 and symbols * and #.
When a user presses a key on a telephone keypad, the corresponding DTMF tone is generated and transmitted over the phone line. The receiving end of the communication system decodes the tones and interprets them as the intended digit or symbol.
DTMF technology enables various functions in telephone systems, such as dialing phone numbers, interacting with automated systems (e.g., IVR systems), and controlling telecommunication equipment remotely. It has widespread applications in telephony, including landline phones, mobile phones, and Voice over IP (VoIP) systems.
Overall, DTMF offers a reliable and efficient way to transmit and recognize digitized tones over an analog network, making it an essential component of modern telephone communication systems.
