56k modems' upstream speeds were limited to 33.6kbps due to analog-to-digital conversion at the phone company. However, downloads could reach 56kbps because they leveraged a mostly-digital path from the telco's server to the user's modem. This asymmetry existed because the phone company's infrastructure used digital signals internally, even for analog phone calls. The digital audio was converted to analog only at the last mile, at the user's local central office. This meant a 56k modem downloading data was essentially receiving a slightly-modified digital signal, bypassing much of the analog conversion process and thus achieving higher throughput. Uploads, originating from the analog modem, had to be fully digitized at the central office, resulting in the lower speed.
The blog post "The Miserable State of Modems and Mobile Network Operators" laments the frustrating developer experience of integrating cellular modems into IoT projects. It criticizes the opaque and inconsistent AT command interfaces, the difficult debugging process due to limited visibility into modem operations, and the complex and often expensive cellular data plans offered by MNOs. The author highlights the lack of standardized, developer-friendly tools and documentation, which forces developers to wrestle with legacy technologies and proprietary solutions, ultimately slowing down IoT development and hindering innovation. They argue for a simplified and more accessible ecosystem that empowers developers to leverage cellular connectivity more effectively.
Hacker News commenters largely echoed the author's frustrations with cellular modem integration. Several shared anecdotes of flaky connectivity, opaque documentation, and vendor lock-in issues, particularly with Quectel and SIMCom modems. Some pointed to the lack of proper abstraction layers as a core problem, hindering software portability. The difficulty in obtaining certifications for cellular devices was also highlighted, with some suggesting this complexity benefits larger established players while stifling smaller innovators. A few commenters suggested exploring alternatives like the Nordic Semiconductor nRF91 series or using a Raspberry Pi with a USB cellular dongle for simpler prototyping, while others called for more open-source initiatives in the cellular modem space. Several also discussed the challenges with varying cellular carrier regulations and certification processes internationally. The general sentiment was one of agreement with the article's premise, with many expressing hope for improved developer experience in the future.
Summary of Comments ( 95 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43282668
Several Hacker News commenters pointed out that the article's title is misleading. They clarified that 56k modems didn't rely on digital phone lines in the way the title implies. Instead, they exploited the fact that the trunk lines between central offices were digital, while the "last mile" to the user's home remained analog. This allowed the modem to receive data digitally at the CO's end and convert it to analog for the final leg, maximizing the speed within the constraints of the analog local loop. Some users also shared anecdotal memories of early modem technology and discussed the limitations imposed by analog lines. One commenter noted the importance of echo cancellation in achieving these higher speeds. A few commenters discussed related topics like the technical reasons behind the asymmetry of upload and download speeds and the different standards used for upstream communication.
The Hacker News post "56k modems relied on digital trunk lines" has generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on clarifying technical details and sharing personal anecdotes related to dial-up modem technology.
Several commenters delve into the specifics of how PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) encoding is used in the phone system and how this relates to the asymmetric speeds of 56k modems. They explain that the upload speed was limited by the analog-to-digital conversion process at the user's end, while the download speed could take advantage of the digital signal already present in the trunk lines. This discussion includes nuances like the use of µ-law and A-law companding in different regions, affecting the achievable bitrates.
Some comments offer corrections or expansions on the original article's points. For example, one commenter clarifies that not all calls were digitized end-to-end, especially for international calls, and that the digital sections were typically within the telco's network rather than extending all the way to the user's home. Another points out the role of echo cancellation in enabling full-duplex communication. There's also discussion about the limitations imposed by regulations on the maximum power output of modems, a factor that contributed to the speed cap of 56k.
A few comments offer personal recollections of working with or experiencing dial-up technology. These anecdotes add a human element to the technical discussion, highlighting the frustrations and limitations of the technology, such as the susceptibility to noise and the difficulty of achieving the theoretical maximum speed. One user even recalls the specific model of modem they used.
A couple of comments touch on related topics like the use of ISDN and the evolution of DSL technology. While these are not central to the main discussion, they provide additional context about the broader landscape of data communication technologies during that era.
While there isn't one single "most compelling" comment, the collection of comments provides a valuable supplement to the original article, offering greater technical depth and personal perspectives on the intricacies of 56k modem technology.