DCE

Abbreviation for data circuit -terminating equipment . 1. In a data station, the equipment that performs functions, such as signal conversion and coding , at the network end of the line between the data terminal equipment ( DTE ) and the line, and that may be a separate or an integral part of the DTE or of intermediate equipment. 2. The interfacing equipment that may be required to couple the data terminal equipment (DTE) into a transmission circuit or channel and from a transmission circuit or channel into the DTE. ( 188 ) Synonyms data communications equipment (deprecated) , data set (deprecated).