According to ITU-T G.711 standards, what does the most significant bit (MSB) identify?

In the context of the ITU-T G.711 standards, the most significant bit (MSB) plays a crucial role in defining the segment polarity of the signal. G.711 is a standard for audio compression that specifies how audio signals are digitized, particularly in the context of telephony.

The MSB indicates whether the sample value is positive or negative. In the case of pulse code modulation (PCM), a high MSB signifies one polarity (typically indicating a negative sample value), while a low MSB indicates the opposite polarity (typically a positive sample value). This is essential for correctly interpreting the audio signal and ensuring accurate audio reproduction and transmission.

Understanding segment polarity is vital, as it allows the receiving end to reconstruct the audio waveform accurately and maintain the integrity of the communication.