Metrology Glossary: Baud
What Is Baud?
Baud is a metric utilized to quantify the velocity of data transfer. It corresponds to the frequency of signal transitions occurring per second. In the majority of scenarios, baud rate aligns with bit rate, which is the number of bits per second (BPS). However, exceptions do exist. For instance, when a signal encodes two bits per baud, the baud rate becomes half of the bit rate.
What Is Baud Used For?
Baud rates play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless communication in many applications such as networking and control systems. In machine control, accurate configuration of baud rates is crucial for maintaining precision and reliability in industrial operations, where machines interact with central controllers through baud-rate-based protocols. Similarly, in data acquisition, industrial sensors and various data-collecting devices rely on specific baud rates for transmitting information, necessitating a deep understanding of these rates for accurate interpretation and integration into control systems.