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I read a few times that DSL modem isexample of CSU/DSU. To my understanding CSU/DSU connect digital communication method to digital while DSL modulate digital communication to analog. If so, how can it be the same device?

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    There are people that claim all signals are analog, and there are questions, answers, and comments of the various SE technology sites arguing that point. Digital signals mean one thing, e.g. binary 0 or 1, then the opposite at a specific threshold (voltage, amplitude, frequency, etc.) or transition point. Digital signals are typically represented as square wave, even though they may not be nearly square. This is really a question to ask on Electrical Engineering.
    – Ron Maupin ♦
    Commented Feb 17, 2019 at 2:40
  • Did any answer help you? If so, you should accept the answer so that the question doesn't keep popping up forever, looking for an answer. Alternatively, you can provide and accept your own answer.
    – Ron Maupin ♦
    Commented Dec 14, 2019 at 20:05

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CSU/DSU is usually only used to refer to T-carrier lines, dubbed digital signal. T-carrier lines use Alternate Mark Inversion line codes. Basically, there are just two symbols - mark and space - at a high baudrate, requiring high-frequency cables.

xDSL is a family of broadband modulation schemes using discrete multi-tone modulation (DMT) or more specifically orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing. DMT uses a large number of frequency carriers to transport data. The modulation is well suited for low-frequency telephone lines in the local loop.

Re-using local-loop phone cables is much cheaper than deploying dedicated high-frequency cables. Therefore, many providers have adopted using DSL technology for their formerly expensive T-carrier business. Although the base technology has changed the complete product is still referred to with its old name. So, a CSU/DSU installation might technically be using DSL and not DS1.

When you look at a DS1 line and a DSL line on an oscilloscope, the DS1 signal looks digital (two levels) while the DSL signal looks like noise. This is often referred to as digital versus analog signaling. While there is some truth in it on the symbol level, the actual distinction is moot. Both signals are digital from a higher point of view and analog from a lower POV.

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  • This is a really great answer.
    – Eddie
    Commented Feb 24, 2019 at 16:33
  • D4(aka. SF)/AMI vs. ESF/B8ZS. AMI is very old technology, even in the era of T1's. (the only AMI I ever saw was in voice T1's) T1's were commonly signaled over the exact same physical infrastructure as POTS/ISDN. (worst case the tech would have to hunt for suitable pairs) Well before the end of the T1 era, T1's ceased to be actual T1's -- they were (and are to this day in 2021) carried via HDSL single pair circuits. (the "smartjack" turns it back into a 4-wire T1)
    – Ricky
    Commented Oct 27, 2021 at 4:18

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