Data terminal equipment
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DTE is an abbreviation for Data Terminal Equipment, and refers to an end instrument that converts user information into signals for transmission, or reconverts the received signals into user information.
A DTE is the functional unit of a data station that serves as a data source or a data sink and provides for the data communication control function to be performed in accordance with link protocol.
The data terminal equipment (DTE) may be a single piece of equipment or an interconnected subsystem of multiple pieces of equipment that perform all the required functions necessary to permit users to communicate.
A user interacts with the DTE, or the DTE may be the user. The DTE interacts with the Data Circuit-terminating Equipment (DCE).
Usually, the DTE device is the terminal (or computer), and the DCE is a modem.