DTE vs DCE | Difference between DTE and DCE

DTE vs DCE | Difference between DTE and DCE

This page compares DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) vs DCE (Data Circuit Terminating Equipment) and
describes difference between DTE and DCE.
These terms are used for communication equipments utilizing communication network for information transmission and
reception.

DTE-Data Terminal Equipment

• The equipment which terminates flow of information in any communication network is referred as DTE
(Data Terminal Equipment).
• These equipments are located inside or near customer premises.
• These are purchased or owned by customers utilizing service.
• EXAMPLEs: Terminals, computers, laptops, routers, bridges etc.

DTE vs DCE

DCE-Data Circuit Terminating Equipment

• The equipment which transport information over communication medium is referred as DCE
(Data Circuit Terminating Equipment).
• These equipments are located in between DTE and communication medium (i.e. fiber cable, twisted pair).
• It takes care providing functions such as coding, clocking etc. for the information to be transmitted and received.
• It is also known by other names such as “Data Carrier Equipment” and “Data Carrier Equipment”.
• EXAMPLES: Modem, Switch etc.

The protocol stack between DTE and DCE consists of two layers viz. PHYSICAL LAYER and
Data Link Layer (or MAC layer).
Physical Layer specifies electrical, mechanical, functional and procedural specifications.
Data Link layer takes care of error detection and flow control between DTE and DCE.
Refer PHY vs MAC which describes functions of Physical layer and MAC layer.

The figure depicts two scenarios viz. frame relay and modem based communication.
In example#1 , terminal is DTE and Packet switch is DCE.
In example#2, terminal is DTE and Modem is DCE.

Following table mentions difference between DCE and DTE devices.

DCE
DTE

Data Communication Equipment
Data Termination Equipment

Generates clock (i.e. as per speed)
Accepts clock

Example#1 (In leased line setup)
V.35 and G.703 modem &
exchange (modem & MUX) acts as DCE

Example#1 (In leased line setup)
Router acts as DTE

Example#2 (In dial up setup),
dialup modem acts as DCE
Example#2 (In dial up setup)
Computer acts as DTE

Useful interface types and microcontroller stuff

RS485 interface  
RS422 interface  
CAN interface  
SPI interface  
interface types and converters  
DigRF interface 
what is microcontroller 
microcontroller vs microprocessor 
microcontroller programming 

What is Difference between

difference between FDM and OFDM
Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDM
Difference between SISO and MIMO
Difference between TDD and FDD
Difference between 802.11 standards viz.11-a,11-b,11-g and 11-n
OFDM vs OFDMA
CDMA vs GSM
Bluetooth vs zigbee
Fixed wimax vs mobile
wibro vs mobile wimax
Difference between GSM and GPRS
Difference between GSM and UMTS

Share this page

Translate this page