Home  Why ADSL?  The protocol stacks  References   The Splitter The splitter is a filter for analog signals. Arriving signals are separated to voice and DSL signals and are sent either to the telephone or to the ADSL modem. For leaving signals, the splitter sends both the voice and the DSL signals coming from the different lines (phone or modem) to one copper wire pair. When using ADSL, a special splitter which contains a micro-filter is needed. Why is a micro filter needed? There are two reasons why we use the splitter with a micro filter. 1. To avoid interference of the digital data signals in phone conversations. 2. If data from a phone conversation is mixed with the digital data, the digital data may become corrupted.     Continuing the journey...   From the splitter, both voice and digital data are transmitted through the ATM VC (Virtual Circuit) connection to the Phone company CO (Central Office); there another splitter splits the voice to the voice switch and the digital data to the DSLAM. Click on the DSLAM icon.     Network Components