When it comes to new technology, you often have to cope with new terms as well. The wireless industry is no different. A number of terms which are usually associated with wireless technology are discussed and defined so you know what people are talking about the next time you find yourself in a public gathering.
Wireless – This usually means any form of communication where electromagnetic waves are used to convey signals over all or part of the communication channel.
1G – This refers to first Generation cellular systems which were based on analog technology.
2G – This refers to cellular wireless services based on digital technology. 2G systems have better voice quality and can handle more calls.
3G – These systems were devised to increase the voice-carrying capacity of networks and provide high-speed data at the same time. These systems also provide other facilities such as advanced global roaming as well as enhanced multimedia options.
Air card – The original term Aircard® is a registered trademark owned by Sierra Wireless but nowadays it is usually associated with a wireless PC card.
Blackberry – These is a two-way wireless device which allows users to check their e-mail and voice mail through text. You can also use a Blackberry to page other people who make use of a wireless network service. Blackberry users are also supposed to subscribe to a wireless service which provides them with data transmission services.
Bluetooth Wireless Technology – This is a low-power and short-range radio technology which permits electronic devices such as mobile phones, headsets, PDAs, notebook, PCs and other associated devices to communicate without wires and transfer data at a very high speed.
CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA cellular systems tend to make use of one frequency band for all their traffic. They also differentiate individual transmissions because they assign unique codes to them before they are transmitted.
Cellular – This refers to analog or digital means of communication through which a subscriber has a wireless connection from a mobile handset to a transmitter which is usually located nearby. When the user of the cellular telephone moves from one place or cell to another the call is passed from one cell transmitter to another.
EDGE – Enhanced Data GSM Environment- This is a faster type of the Global System for Mobile (GSM) wireless service
GPS – Global Positioning System – This is a location system which works with a constellation of US Department of Defense satellites.
GSM – Global System for Mobile Communication is a digital mobile telephone technology
GPRS – General Packet Radio Service, a packet-based wireless communication service that provides continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users.
iDEN – Integrated Digital Enhanced Network, A proprietary technology based on the TDMA standard that allows users to access phone calls, two-radio transmissions, paging and data from one wireless device. Nextel Communications® uses the iDEN® standard as the basis for its networks.
Streaming – This term is usually used on the Internet to describe the one-way transmission of video and audio over Internet connections.
TDMA – Time Division Multiple Access, this is a means through which different users may be multiplexed on a single channel or a single carrier by splitting the carrier into time slots and making use of these time slots as they are needed.
UMTS – This stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, it is a broadband, packet-based system which offers a constant set of services to mobile computer and phone users regardless of their particular location in the world.
WAP – Wireless Application Protocol – These are a set of predefined protocols of communication which govern the way certain wireless devices can be used for Internet access.
