DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency)

Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) is the generic name for pushbutton telephone signaling
equivalent to the Bell Systems TouchTone. DTMF signaling is quickly replacing dial-pulse
signaling in telephone networks worldwide. In addition to telephone call signaling, DTMF is
becoming popular in interactive control applications, such as telephone banking or electronic
mail systems, in which the user can select options from a menu by sending DTMF signals from a
telephone.
Dual Tone Multi Frequency or DTMF is a method for instructing a telephone switching system
of the telephone number to be dialed, or to issue commands to switching systems or related
telephony equipment.
DTMF means: Dual Tone Multi-Frequency, There is no baseband multiplexing done on DTMF
signals. The signal generated by a DTMF encoder is a direct algebraic summation, in real time,
of the amplitudes of two sine (cosine) waves of different frequencies. i.e. pressing '1' will send a
tone made by adding 1209 Hz and 697 Hz to the other end of the line.
The DTMF dialing system traces its roots to a technique AT&T developed in the 1950s called
MF (Multi-Frequency) which was deployed within the AT&T telephone network to direct calls
between switching facilities using in-band signaling. In the early 1960s, a derivative technique
was offered by AT&T through its Bell System telephone companies as a "modern" way for
network customers to place calls. In AT&Ts Compatibility Bulletin No. 105, AT&T described the
product as "a method for pushbutton signaling from customer stations using the voice
transmission path." The consumer product was marketed by AT&T under the registered trade
name Touch-Tone. Other vendors of compatible telephone equipment called this same system
"Tone" dialing or "DTMF".
Detailed description
In a DTMF signal generation, a DTMF keypad could be used for digit entry and the resultant
DTMF tones are generated mathematically and added together. The values are logarithmically
compressed and passed to the receiver. In a DTMF scheme, pairs of tones are used to signal the

digits 0 through 9, pound (#), star (*) and the digits A, B, C and D. For each pair, one of the
tones is selected from a low group of four frequencies, and the other from a high group of four
frequencies. The correct detection of a digit requires both a valid tone pair and the correct timing
intervals.
The matrix of frequencies used to encode the 16 DTMF symbols is shown in the following
figure. Each symbol is represented by the sum of the two frequencies that intersect the digit. The
row frequencies are in a low band, below 1 kHz and the column frequencies are in a high band,
between 1 kHz and 2 kHz. The digits are displayed as they would appear on a telephones 4x4
matrix keypad (on standard telephone sets, the fourth column is omitted). The user should note
that there are a number of different algorithms possible for generation and detection of DTMF
tones
DTMF Signal Generation
The DTMF system uses eight different frequency signals transmitted in pairs to represent sixteen
different numbers, symbols and letters. This table shows how the frequencies are organized:

The frequencies used were chosen to prevent any harmonics from being incorrectly detected by
the receiver as some other DTMF frequency.

The transmitter of a DTMF signal simultaneously sends one frequency from the high-group and
one frequency from the low-group. This pair of signals represents the digit or symbol shown at
the intersection of row and column in the table. For example, sending 1209Hz and 770Hz
indicates that the "4" digit is being sent.
At the transmitter, the maximum signal strength of a pair of tones must not exceed +1 dBm and
the minimum strength is -10.5 dBm for the low group frequencies and -8.5 dBm for the high
group frequencies. Any leakage of these tones must not exceed -55 dBm, when the DTMF tones
are not intentionally being sent (including the inter-digit interval). The frequencies generated by
the transmitter must be nominally within 1.5% of the stated values and the receiver must not
accept signals that deviate more than 3.5% from the stated values.
The receiver is responsible for performing several checks on the incoming signal before
accepting the incoming signal as a DTMF digit:
1. Energy from a low-group frequency and a high-group frequency must be detected.
2. Energy from all other low-group and all other high-group frequencies must be absent or
less than -55dBm.
3. The energy from the single low group and single high group frequency must persist for at
least 40msec*.
4. There must have been an inter-digit interval of atleast 40msec* in which there is no
energy detected at any of the DTMF frequencies. The minimum duty cycle (tone interval
and inter-digit interval) is 85msec*.
5. The receiver should receive the DTMF digits with signal strength of at least -25 dBm and
no more than 0 dBm.
6. The energy strength of the high group frequency must be -8 dB to +4 dB relative to the
energy strength of the low group frequency as measured at the receiver. This uneven
transmission level is known as the "twist" and some receiving equipment may not
correctly receive signals where the "twist" is not implemented correctly. Nearly all
modern DTMF decoders receive DTMF digits correctly despite twist errors.
7. The receiver must correctly detect and decode DTMF despite the presence of dial-tone,
including the extreme case of dial-tone being sent by the central office at 0 dBm (which

may occur in extremely long loops). Above 600Hz, any other signals detected by the
receiver must be at least -6 dB below the low-group frequency signal strength for correct
digit detection.
* The values shown are those stated by AT&T in Compatibility Bulletin 105. For compatibility
with ANSI T1.401-1988, the minimum inter-digit interval shall be 45msec, the minimum pulse
duration shall be 50msec, and the minimum duty cycle for ANSI-compliance shall be 100msec.
It should be mentioned that Radio Shack, one of the worlds largest retailers of consumer
telephone equipment, requires that all telephone devices, it sells, generate DTMF tones of no less
than 70 msec of duration. Radio Shack developed this number based on real life use of their
equipment on telephone networks throughout North America and the finding that shorter tones
are more likely to cause dialing troubles. Telephones, sold by other retailers, usually follow the
Radio Shack specifications by default since they are getting the devices from the same
manufacturers that build telephones to meet the Radio Shack criteria. In addition, many
manufacturers of modems also set the default DTMF dialing speed to at least 70 msec. ATCompatible modems control DTMF digit duration via the S11 register.

Decoding DTMF signals

Decoding a DTMF signal involves extracting the two tones in the signal and determining from
their value the intended DTMF digit. Tone detection is often done in analog circuits by detecting
and counting zero-crossings of the input signal. In digit circuits, tone detection is easier to
accomplish by mathematically transforming the input time-domain signal into its frequencydomain equivalent by means of the Fourier transform, or through use of tone-specific digital
filters.
There are many ways to detect and decode these DTMF tones. One idea could be an eight sharptuned filter combination with detection circuits. Needless to say, this is very impractical,
considering the various ICs (Integrated Circuits or 'chips') made by different manufacturers all

over the world. Most of these ICs do not require more than one (inexpensive) 3.58 MHz crystal
or resonator and the power circuitry. Usually the output is 4-bit binary + 1 strobe.
The DTMF decoder we are using is M8870.

Features
Low Power Consumption
Adjustable Acquisition and Release Times
Central Office Quality and Performance
Inexpensive 3.58 MHz Time Base
Single 5 Volt Power Supply
Dial Tone Suppression
Description
The M-8870 is a full DTMF Receiver that integrates both bandsplit filter and decoder functions
into a single 18-pin DIP or SOIC package. As it is manufactured using CMOS process
technology, the M-8870 offers low power consumption (35 mW max) and precise data handling.
Its filter section uses switched capacitor technology for both the high and low group filters and
for dial tone rejection. Its decoder uses digital counting techniques to detect and decode all 16
DTMF tone pairs into a 4-bit code. External component count is minimized by provision of an
on-chip differential input amplifier, clock generator and latched tri-state interface bus. Minimal
external components required include a low-cost 3.579545 MHz color burst crystal, a timing
resistor and a timing capacitor.

Absolute Maximum Ratings are stress ratings. Stresses in excess of these ratings can cause
permanent damage to the device. Functional operation of the device at these or any other
conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections mentioned here is not implied.
Exposure of the device to the absolute maximum ratings for an extended period may degrade the
device and affect its reliability.

Functional Description
M-8870 operating functions include a bandsplit filter that separates the high and low tones of the
received pair and a digital decoder that verifies both the frequency and duration of the received
tones before passing the resulting 4-bit code to the output bus.
Filter
The low and high group tones are separated by applying the dual-tone signal to the inputs of two
6th order switched capacitor bandpass filters with bandwidths that correspond to the bands
enclosing the low and high group tones. The filter also incorporates notches at 350 and 440 Hz,
providing excellent dial tone rejection. Each filter output is followed by a single order switched
capacitor section that smoothens the signals prior to limiting. Signal limiting is performed by
high gain comparators provided with hysteresis to prevent detection of unwanted low level
signals and noise. The comparator outputs provide full rail logic swings at the frequencies of the
incoming tones.
Decoder
The M-8870 decoder uses a digital counting technique to determine the frequencies of the
limited tones and to verify that they correspond to standard DTMF frequencies. A complex
averaging algorithm is used to protect against tone simulation by extraneous signals (such as
voice) while tolerating small frequency variations. The algorithm ensures an optimum
combination of immunity to talkoff and tolerance to interfering signals (third tones) and noise.
When the detector recognizes the simultaneous presence of two valid tones (known as signal
condition), it raises the Early Steering flag (ESt). Any subsequent loss of signal condition will
cause ESt to fall.

Steering Circuit
Before a decoded tone pair is registered, the receiver checks for valid signal duration (referred to
as character recognition condition). This check is performed by an external RC time constant
driven by ESt. A logic high on ESt causes VC to rise as the capacitor discharges. VC reaches the
threshold (VTSt) of the steering logic to register the tone pair, thus latching its corresponding 4bit code into the output latch, provided that signal condition is maintained (ESt remains high) for
the validation period (tGTF). At this point, the GT output is activated and drives VC to VDD.
GT continues to drive high as long as ESt remains high. Finally, after a short delay to allow the
output latch to settle, the delayed steering output flag (StD) goes high, signaling that a received
tone pair has been registered. The contents of the output latch are made available on the 4-bit
output bus by raising the three state control input (OE) to a logic high.
The steering circuit works in reverse to validate the inter digit pause between signals. Thus, as
well as rejecting signals too short to be considered valid, the receiver will tolerate signal
interruptions (dropouts) too short to be considered a valid pause. This capability, together with
the ability to select the steering time constants externally, allows the designer to tailor
performance to meet a wide variety of system requirements.

Guard Time Adjustment

Where independent selection of signal duration and inter digit pause are not required, the simple
steering circuit of Basic Steering Circuit is applicable.
Component values are chosen according to the formula:
tREC = tDP + tGTP
tGTP = 0.67 RC
The value of tDP is a parameter of the device and tREC is the minimum signal duration to be
recognized by the receiver. A value for C of 0.1 F is recommended for most applications,
leaving R to be selected by the designer. For example, a suitable value of R for a tREC of 40 ms
would be 300 k. A typical circuit using this steering configuration is shown in the Single Ended
Input Configuration below. The timing requirements for most telecommunication applications
are satisfied with this circuit. Different steering arrangements may be used to select
independently the guard times for tone-present (tGTP) and tone-absent (tGTA). This may be
necessary to meet system specifications that place both accept and reject limits on both tone
duration and inter digit pause.

Guard time adjustment also allows the designer to tailor system parameters such as talkoff and
noise immunity. Increasing tREC improves talkoff performance, since it reduces the probability
that tones simulated by speech will maintain signal condition long enough to be registered. On
the other hand, a relatively short tREC with a long tDO would be appropriate for extremely noisy

environments where fast acquisition time and immunity to dropouts would be required. Design
information for guard time adjustment is shown in the Guard Time Adjustment below.

Input Configuration
The input arrangement of the M-8870 provides a differential input operational amplifier as well
as a bias source (VREF) to bias the inputs at mid-rail. Provision is made for connection of a
feedback resistor to the op-amp output (GS) for gain adjustment.

In a single-ended configuration, the input pins are connected as shown in the Single - Ended
Input Configuration with the op-amp connected for unity gain and VREF biasing the input at

1/2VDD. The Differential Input Configuration bellow permits gain adjustment with the feedback
resistor R5.
DTMF Clock Circuit
The internal clock circuit is completed with the addition of a standard 3.579545 MHz television
color burst crystal. The crystal can be connected to a single M-8870 as shown in the Single
Ended Input Configuration or to a series of M-8870s. As illustrated in the Common Crystal
Connection below, a single crystal can be used to connect a series of M-8870s by coupling the
oscillator output of each M-8870 through a 30 pF capacitor to the oscillator input of the next M8870.

Applications
Telephone switch equipment
Remote data entry
Paging systems
Personal computers
Credit card systems