Appendix B: Glossary

1G
Refers to first generation, analog mobile phone technology.
1X
A 2G data technology operating on the CDMA2000 mobile phone network
1xEV-DO
(see EV-DO)
2G
Refers to second generation, digital circuit-switched mobile phone technology
3G
Refers to third generation, digital packet-switched mobile phone technology.
802.11
(see WiFi)
access point
A central wireless transceiver with an antenna, which is the heart of a wireless network (WiFi, WiMAX, Canopy, etc.)
ADSL
(see DSL)
algorithm
A procedure with defined steps that accomplishes some task and ends in some final state.
amateur radio
A hobby where licensed radio operators communicate on various radio frequencies dedicated for amateur radio use. Amateur radio operators are also called “hams”.
amplifier
A device that electrically or optically boosts signals on a wire or fibre optic cable.
AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone System. An analog technology for mobile phone networks that has mostly been replaced by newer digital networks.
Anik F2
The first commercially-deployed ka-band satellite. Anik F2 is a Canadian geosynchronous satellite operated by Telesat.
ANSNET
ANSNET was a large computer network, and the precursor to the Internet. It was the merger of ARPANET and NSFNET.
ARPANET
ARPANET was the first network that spanned a country. Funded by the US military, it connected several US universities before being integrated into the NSFNET.
backbone
A major fibre optic line that often spans a region or country, serving as the parent network to several smaller pipeline networks.
backhaul
(see pipeline)
backhaul module
The hardware used at one site for a wireless point-to-point pipeline link.
bandwidth
Usually refers to the maximum data throughput on a network connection. Measured in bits per second: Kbps, Mbps, Gbps, or Tbps. Could also refer to the width of spectrum available on a medium.
beacon
A small packet used by wireless access points to inform client stations of the network's existence and characteristics. The SSID is broadcast as part of the beacon.
Bluetooth
A PAN technology used for short-range wireless communication. For example, wireless earpieces for mobile phones, or wireless computer mice.
BPL
Broadband over Power Lines. A technology that utilizes medium-voltage electrical lines for broadband communication.
burst speed
The maximum throughput possible on a network connection for no more than a few seconds.
bus topology
All clients share a single central medium. For example, cable television customers are all connected to a single coaxial cable.
CO
Central Office. The local PSTN switching station in a community or neighbourhood. Phone lines run from the CO to individual buildings.
cable modem
A device used to access Internet service on the cable television network.
cable television network
A network of coaxial (and possibly fibre) cables running from a head end to individual homes, providing television service. Upgrades will make Internet service and telephone service possible.
cache server
A computer used to save local copies of files on the Internet, making repeated accesses to the same files faster.
Canopy
A proprietary fixed wireless technology developed by Motorola.
carrier wave
A data-carrying radio signal carried on some medium, in addition to other signals (such as electricity).
cat-5
A universal type of LAN cabling that connects switches, computers and other devices.
CBN
Community Based Network. A local organization that promotes and guides deployment of infrastructure in their region.
CDMA2000
A 3G mobile phone technology implemented by Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility in Canada.
circuit-switched
A type of network protocol that forms a connection to a host and maintains a constant stream of data until the connection is terminated.
CMM
Cluster Management Module. A Canopy device that controls the access points and connects them to a pipeline.
CMTS
Cable Modem Termination System. One piece of hardware that needs to be installed at a cable television head end to make Internet service possible on the cable network.
coaxial
A type of cabling with a copper core, insulation and a protective rubber coating, and screw-on connectors.
coupler
A BPL device that allows the BPL signal to cross from medium-voltage lines, past a transformer, and on the power lines that connect to a building.
CRTC
The Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission. A government agency that regulates the content of public media.
D-AMPS
Digital AMPS. A 2G digital circuit-switched mobile phone technology.
detector (fibre)
A device used on fibre optic networks used to receive and interpret an optical signal.
dial-up
An Internet connection technology that uses phone lines and a telephone modem, and is capable of maximum 56 Kbps.
directional antenna
An antenna with a narrow coverage beam that can be positioned to point in a specific direction.
DirecWay
A ku-band satellite Internet service operated on the Galaxy 11 satellite, and offered in Canada by Xplornet.
distance education
Taking educational courses from a remote location, often by videoconference.
DOCSIS
A cable modem standard.
downlink
(see downstream)
downstream
The route through which data is received by a network client.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line. A broadband Internet technology operating on the public switched telephone network.
DSL transceiver
A device used to connect to DSL service.
DSLAM
A device that needs to be installed on a CO to enable DSL on that telephone network. The DSLAM is connected to a pipeline.
EDGE
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. A 2G data technology that operates on GSM mobile phone networks.
electrical grid
The distribution system for electricity.
emitter (fibre)
A device used on fibre optic networks. Using an LED or laser, it emits pulses of light onto a fibre optic cable.
Ethernet
A standard network communication technology used for decades. Uses cat-5 cabling. Can be used on any network medium, including wired, wireless, or optical.
EV-DO
A 3G broadband technology that operates on GSM mobile phone networks.
extractor
A BPL device that extracts the BPL signal from medium- voltage power lines and connects to a coupler or wireless access point.
FAP
Fair Access Policy. A policy that operates on broadband Internet connections to throttle bandwidth when the service level to other users may be threatened.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission. A US government agency that regulates the content of public media.
fibre
A cabling medium with a glass core, plastic insulation and a protective plastic outer layer. Able to transmit light at near the speed of light.
fixed wireless
A general term used to describe broadband wireless technologies where the access point is attached to a building or tower. Canopy and WiMAX are two examples of fixed wireless networks.
Flash
A web multimedia standard capable of animation, video and audio.
frequency band
A region of the electromagnetic spectrum with defined upper and lower limits. VHF, UHF, ka-band and ku-band are examples of frequency bands.
FTTP
Fibre to the Premises. A new technology that connects buildings directly to a fibre pipeline.
Gbps
Billions of bits per second. One gigabit per second is about 300 times greater than the average DSL connection.
geosynchronous satellites
A satellite located 35,000km above some point on the Earth. It remains over the same position on the planet by maintaining the same angular velocity as the planet.
GPS
Global Positioning System. A GPS device can triangulate its precise location on the Earth's surface using a large network of GPS satellites.
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications. A 2G mobile phone technology implemented in Canada by Rogers Wireless.
head end
A point from which a local cable television network operates in a community. Has satellite uplinks to gather television feeds.
HFC
Hybrid Fibre Coax. A cable television network is upgraded to a network of both coaxial cables and fibre cables, as well as fibre nodes, to make broadband Internet service possible on the network.
High-speed
A flexible term used to describe the throughput of a network connection. Interchangeable with broadband. Usually defines a connection greater than or equal to 512 Kbps, but could technically be anything greater than 56 Kbps.
HSDPA
High-Speed Downlink Packet Access. A 3G broadband technology operating on GSM mobile phone networks.
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. An organization that manages international electronic standards, including WiFi, WiMAX, Ethernet, and others. Networking standards have the prefix 802.
inductor
A device which induces a signal on a wire without actually coming in contact with it.
Industry Canada
The Canadian government agency that oversees the use and licenses for the electromagnetic spectrum.
infrastructure
From the perspective of this thesis, refers to existing electrical, telephone, cable and other networks.
injector (bpl)
A BPL device which, using an inductor, induces signals on power lines for broadband use.
Internet
The Internet is the worldwide network of interconnected smaller computer networks.
intranet
An intranet is a private computer network that operates within the bounds of a government, corporation or building.
IP Address
A computer's unique identifying number on a network.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network. A semi-broadband technology that operates on the public switched telephone network.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. A company that resells bandwidth from their connection to a backbone.
ka-band
A microwave frequency band used in satellite communications.
Kbps
Thousands of bits per second. The maximum speed of a dial-up connection is 56 Kbps. The average speed of a DSL connection is 3000 Kbps (3 Mbps).
ku-band
A microwave frequency band used in satellite communications.
LAN
Local Area Network. A network usually confined to a home or office.
last mile
The part of the network infrastructure that connects individual buildings to some central medium, like a tower, CO, or coaxial cable.
latency
Network delay. Often measured in milliseconds (ms). Satellite latency is typically at least 500ms.
licensed frequency
A frequency band that requires a license from Industry Canada to operate on.
line of sight (LOS)
A clear, unobstructed view of some remote point.
LMCS
(see LMDS)
LMDS
Local Multipoint Distribution Service. A point-to- multipoint wireless technology operating in high microwave frequencies.
local loop
The part of the public switched telephone network that connects a building to the CO.
MAN
Metropolitan Area Network. A network usually confined to a community.
Mbps
Millions of bits per second. The average speed of a DSL connection is 3 Mbps.
mesh
(see wireless mesh)
microwave
Radio frequencies in the gigahertz range are often called microwave frequencies.
MMDS
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service. Also called wireless cable. A point-to-multipoint wireless technology.
mobile phone
Also called cellular phones, or cell phones. Operate on the mobile phone network (cell towers).
multiplexer
A network device that can connect multiple inputs to multiple outputs.
node
In the context of wireless mesh networking, a node is a single access point that serves both as a pipeline to other nodes, and as an access point for subscribers.
NSFNET
The second deployment of an internetwork which eventually absorbed the ARPANET, and later became ANSNET.
omnidirectional antenna
An antenna with a 360 degree beam coverage.
openCDMA
An early 2G mobile phone technology operating on CDMA networks.
Optical Carrier
A naming convention for fibre optic cabling.
packet
A single fragment of data on an IP computer network. Machines can communicate on a network by exchanging series of packets.
Packet-switched
A fast network technology that allows packets to take different paths through the network to get to their destination.
PAN
Personal Area Network. A short-range network with a range usually measured in metres.
panel antenna
A directional antenna entirely contained within a plastic enclosure. Often wall- or pole-mountable.
Parabolic
A directional antenna with a feedhorn or low noise block amplifier pointed at a reflecting dish.
PDA
Personal Data Assistant. A small device used to keep track of phone numbers, and to access the Internet.
pipeline
The part of the broadband infrastructure that connects a last- mile network to an Internet backbone.
podcast / podcasting
An audio or video show published to the Internet on a daily basis or weekly basis, which users can subscribe to and download to a computer or portable music player.
point-to-multipoint
A type of network with a central hub and multiple remote clients.
point-to-point
A type of network with two devices that communicate exclusively with each other. In wireless networks, point-to- point links often utilize directional antennas.
POTS
Plain Old Telephone System. Refers to the voice communication capabilities of a PSTN.
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network. The worldwide network of telephone lines.
range
The maximum distance at which network devices are able to communicate.
repeater
A network device that often includes an amplifier, and repeats a signal along an electric or optical line.
roaming
The ability for a network device to move about and transparently connect to neighbouring networks. Mobile phones are capable of roaming.
router
A network device that routes network traffic between computers.
SAP
Service Access Point. Name given to a fibre switch that terminates a fibre pipeline to a community.
satellite
A large electronic device in orbit around the Earth. Operates in high microwave frequencies. Receives a signal from an uplink station and broadcasts (repeats) it back down into its spot beam(s).
satellite dish
A parabolic antenna used to communicate with a satellite.
short wave radio
A commercial broadcast radio service operating in low to high frequencies. Short wave radio stations are still in widespread use in undeveloped countries.
SONET
Synchronous Optical Networking. The standard protocol for communication on fibre optic networks.
spot beam
The coverage area of a satellite's broadcast on the Earth's surface. Several spot beams are sometimes used to differentiate between geographic areas.
SSID
Service Set Identifier. Part of a wireless access point's beacon packets, the SSID identifies the name and characteristics of a WiFi network.
streaming video
Video files on the Internet that can be watched while they download.
subscriber module
A Canopy or WiMAX device installed on the customer premises to connect the customer to the Canopy or WiMAX network.
substation
The distribution point on the electrical grid that converts high-voltage electricity to medium-voltage electricity for distribution to individual buildings.
switch
A network device that allows network devices to communicate with each other.
Tbps
Trillions of bits per second. So far, no network operates in the terabits per second range.
TDMA
(see D-AMPS)
teleport
The Earth station that sends data to a satellite using a very large satellite dish.
Telesat
A Canadian company held by BCE Communications that operates many of Canada's communications satellites.
terrestrial return
A satellite technology that only receives data through the satellite connection. Data is sent out onto the Internet using a dial-up connection.
throughput
(see bandwidth)
tower
A large metal structure that supports arrays of antennas.
transceiver
A wireless device that is capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. A wireless transceiver is always connected to an antenna.
twisted pair
A type of wiring having two or more copper wires twisted lengthwise. Telephone lines are twisted pair wiring.
unlicensed frequency
Parts of the electromagnetic spectrum that are open for anyone's use. No license is required.
uplink
(see upstream)
uplink facility
(see teleport)
upstream
The route through which data is transmitted by a network client.
videoconferencing
An Internet technology that allows two or more locations to communicate using video cameras and microphones.
VoIP
Voice over IP. A technology that allows telephones to be used with a broadband Internet connection for voice communication.
WAP
Wireless Access Point. A point-to-multipoint wireless network device that serves as the heart of a WiFi network.
webcast
Live streaming video or audio on the Internet.
WiFi
A standardized technology for wireless local area networks.
WiFi mesh
(see wireless mesh)
WiMAX
A standardized technology for wireless metropolitan area networks.
wireless mesh
A technology allowing multiple mesh nodes to serve both as backhauls with each other and also as access points.
WISP
Wireless Internet Service Provider. Describes a company that resells bandwidth from its high-capacity pipeline to multiple subscribers through a fixed wireless network.
yagi
A directional antenna, often made of aluminum, that has several elements mounted to a boom. Many broadcast television antennas are yagi antennas.

 


© Jake Cormier, 2006 [jake (at) stormcloudstudios.com]
Completed as a partial requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Science (specialized)
Department of Computer Science :: Algoma University College :: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario :: Spring 2006