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What is Group 3 Facsimile (G3 FAX)?
Group 3 Facsimile, commonly referred to as G3 FAX, is a widely used telecommunication standard for transmitting scanned documents over telephone lines. It enables the reproduction and transfer of printed or handwritten materials from one location to another in the form of a facsimile or fax.
Basic Concept of G3 FAX
G3 FAX operates on the principle of converting an analog signal, representing an image, into a digital format that can be transmitted over a telephone network. The process involves several essential components and steps, which we will discuss below.
1. Document Scanning
To initiate the G3 FAX transmission, the document to be faxed is first scanned using an optical image sensor. The sensor captures the image or text on the document and converts it into a digital signal. This digital representation is divided into small horizontal strips referred to as scan lines.
2. Image Compression
To minimize the file size and reduce the transmission time, G3 FAX incorporates an image compression algorithm. This algorithm typically employs the Modified Huffman (MH) or Modified READ (MR) compression method. It eliminates redundant information and encodes the image data more efficiently.
3. Line Encoding
The digital image data is then converted into a format suitable for transmission over a telephone line. G3 FAX uses a modulation technique known as phase shift keying (PSK) to encode the data into a series of audio tones. These tones represent the binary information and are compatible with the telephone network’s bandwidth.
4. Error Correction
To ensure accurate and reliable transmission, G3 FAX includes error correction mechanisms. Error correction algorithms such as the Checksum and the Reid-Solomon method are used to detect and correct data errors that may occur during transmission. These mechanisms enhance the quality of the received fax.
5. Transmission and Reception
Once the document is ready for transmission, the G3 FAX machine dials the recipient’s fax number and establishes a communication link. The encoded audio tones are transmitted over the telephone line to the receiving fax machine. At the recipient’s end, the process is reversed, and the received data is decoded, decompressed, and printed or displayed on paper or a screen, respectively.
G3 FAX has revolutionized document sharing and has become a vital tool for businesses and individuals worldwide. Its reliability, ease of use, and compatibility make it a popular choice for transmitting documents over long distances. Despite the advancements in digital technologies, G3 FAX continues to play a crucial role in modern communication.
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