Source : WordNet®

baud
     n : (computer science) a data transmission rate (bits/second)
         for modems [syn: {baud rate}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

baud
     
         /bawd/ (plural "baud") The unit in
        which the information carrying capacity or "{signalling rate}"
        of a communication channel is measured.  One baud is one
        symbol (state-transition or level-transition) per second.
        This coincides with bits per second only for two-level
        {modulation} with no {framing} or {stop bits}.
     
        A symbol is a unique state of the communication channel,
        distinguishable by the receiver from all other possible
        states.  For example, it may be one of two voltage levels on a
        wire for a direct digital connection or it might be the phase
        or frequency of a carrier.
     
        The term "baud" was originally a unit of telegraph signalling
        speed, set at one {Morse code} dot per second.  Or, more
        generally, the reciprocal of the duration of the shortest
        signalling element.  It was proposed at the International
        Telegraph Conference of 1927, and named after {J.M.E. Baudot}
        (1845-1903), the French engineer who constructed the first
        successful teleprinter.
     
        The UK {PSTN} will support a maximum rate of 600 baud but each
        baud may carry between 1 and 16 bits depending on the coding
        (e.g. {QAM}).
     
        Where data is transmitted as {packets}, e.g. characters, the
        actual "data rate" of a channel is
     
        	R D / P
     
        where R is the "raw" rate in bits per second, D is the number
        of data bits in a packet and P is the total number of bits in
        a packet (including packet overhead).
     
        The term "baud" causes much confusion and is usually best
        avoided.  Use "bits per second" (bps), "bytes per second" or
        "characters per second" (cps) if that's what you mean.
     
        (1998-02-14)