Modemet

Modemet is a modular modem platform that provides flexible modulation and demodulation capabilities across multiple communication standards. Built around a common chassis and plug-in transceiver cartridges, a Modemet can connect to serial, Ethernet, or USB hosts and bridge them to telephone networks, cellular links, or satellite channels. The design emphasizes software-defined modulation schemes and open firmware, enabling researchers and equipment vendors to experiment with different protocols without replacing hardware.

The name Modemet is a contraction of modular modem, reflecting its core concept: a modem whose functionality is extended by interchangeable modules.

A Modemet system comprises a basic processing unit, a set of plug-in transceiver cartridges, and a software stack that handles framing, error correction, and protocol translation. Cartridges can implement various physical layers, including RS-232, RS-485, Ethernet, USB, DSL, cellular (GSM/UMTS/LTE/5G), Wi-Fi, and satellite links, while the firmware supports multiple modulation formats such as QAM, PSK, FSK, and OFDM.

Data rates and performance depend on the chosen combination of hardware and standards, ranging from a few kilobits per second in legacy links to several megabits per second in modern cellular or wireless links.

History and reception of Modemet concepts began in academic and maker communities in the 2010s and gained traction in the 2020s as open hardware projects provided modular modem kits for research and education. Applications include bridging legacy equipment to IP networks, field communications in remote areas, research in digital communications, and IoT gateways.

Limitations involve system complexity, licensing considerations, and regulatory compliance, which can affect deployment in commercial environments.