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Wireless glossary
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A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S T  U  V  W X  Y  Z
 A
Analog: The original form of cellular service, launched in October, 1983 in the U.S. (and earlier elsewhere). This service uses a waveform transmission instead of the zeros and ones that a digital system uses. It is more prone to interference, static, eavesdropping and cloning than digital systems, but is still deployed in many parts of the world where the advanced technology (and higher cost) of digital systems is not deemed necessary.
 B
Bandwidth: A relative range of frequencies that can carry a signal without distortion on a transmission medium. Sometimes referred to as a "pipe."
Bluetooth: The code name for a new wireless technology being developed by Ericsson Inc., Intel Corp., Nokia Corp. and Toshiba. The technology enables data connections between electronic devices such as desktop computers, wireless phones, electronic organizers and printers in the 2.4 GHz range. Bluetooth would replace cable or infrared connections for such devices.
Broadband: Using a wide-bandwidth channel for voice, data and/or video services.
Broadband PCS: Synonymous with personal communications services created in the A- through F-Block auctions and used for voice and data.
 C
CDMA (code division multiple access): A spread spectrum air interface technology used in some digital cellular, personal communications services and other wireless networks.
CDPD (cellular digital packet data): An enhanced system overlay for transmitting and receiving data over cellular networks.
Charge back: The funds a carrier will "charge back" to an agent or dealer if a customer discontinues service shortly after buying the product.
Content services: Paging service, beyond telephone number alerts, that include news and sports headlines, personalized stock quotes, driving directions, restaurant reviews and information contained on Internet sites.
 D
DCMA (dynamic channel multicarrier architecture): A technology developed by ComSpace Corp. used for specialized mobile radio networks that can configure the number and bandwidth of voice and data channels based on a carrier's requirements.
Digital: The newest form of wireless communications that takes all voice transmissions and converts them to computer language (zeros and ones, or "binary" language) and then reconstructs them into the original voice format at the other end. More secure than its original sibling, analog, and also relatively impervious to static or fading signals.
DSP (digital signal processor): A specialized microprocessor that performs mathematical operations on a data stream in real time to produce a second (modified) data stream.
 G
GPS (global positioning system): A series of 24 geosynchronous satellites that continuously transmit their position. Used in personal tracking, navigation and automatic vehicle location technologies.
 H
HDML (handheld device markup language): Written to allow Inter net access from wireless devices such as handheld personal computers and smart phones. Derived from hypertext markup language. One version of HDML is Unwired Planet Inc.'s UP.Link.
 P
PCS (personal communications services): A two-way, 1900 MHz digital voice, messaging and data service designed as the second generation of cellular.
 S
SMS (short message service): Short Message Service (SMS) is the transmission of short text messages to and from a mobile phone, fax machine and/or IP address. Messages must be no longer than 160 alpha-numeric characters and contain no images or graphics.
 T
TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol): Internet protocol suite developed by the U.S Department of Defense in the 1970s. TCP governs the exchange of sequential data. IP routes outgoing and recognizes incoming messages.
TDMA (time division multiple access): A digital air interface technology used in cellular, PCS and ESMR networks.
 W
W-CDMA (wideband code division multiple access): The third generation standard offered to the International Telecommunication Union by GSM proponents.
WCS (wireless communications services): Frequencies in the 2.3 GHz band designated for general fixed wireless use.
Wireless: Using the radio-frequency spectrum for transmitting and receiving voice, data and video signals for communications.
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP): A protocol designed for advanced wireless devices allowing the easy transmission of data signals, particularly Internet content, to micro-browsers built into the device's software.
Wireless Internet: An RF-based service that provides access Internet e-mail and/or the World Wide Web.