>The "baud rate" is the number of bits per second when the line is
>running continuously.  The difference between bits per second and
>baud rate is that baud rate may vary from 0 bps to maximum.  Thus
>the baud rate is the correct term for an async line while BPS (bits
>per second) is correct for a sync line.  [Misuse of this term is a
>pet peeve of mine.]  Data is sent least significant bit first.

Actually Lee, Baud refers to the signalling rate. BPS is the number of bits
transmitted per second. The distinction only comes into play when more than
one bit at a time (per baud) is transmitted, as in BPSK, QPAM, etc.

Bell 212 modems transmit two bits at a time, as 4 quadrant phase shift. The
signalling rate is 600 Baud, the bit rate is 1200BPS.

Regards, Dana Frank Raymond
dfr@icom.ca