Bluetooth
enables a wide assortment of digital devices to communicate directly with each other wirelessly over short distances
Bridge (Network Control Device)
Connects two or more network segments, as a repeater does; a bridge also helps to regulate network traffic
Broadband / High-Speed Internet
a connection providing download speeds of 6 Mbps (megabits per second) up to over 100 Mbps
Cable Modem
Provides Internet access to PCs and computer networks over a cable television network
Cellular Carrier
a company that builds and maintains a cellular network and provides cell phone service to the public
Cellular Device
Cellular network carriers provide several options for connecting computers to the Internet
Cellular Network
a wide area network in which a geographic area is divided into cells, with a transceiver antenna (tower) and station at the center of each cell, to support wireless mobile communications
Cellular Plan
defines the terms of service provided by a cellular carrier to which a cellular user subscribes
Coaxial (Cable)
An inner conductor wire surrounded by insulation, a conductive shield, and a cover used for cable TV and other applications
Dial-Up Modem
Provides narrowband Internet connections over phone lines
Digital Signal
designed to carry computer data, which is digitally represented as bits
DSL: Digital Subscriber Line
Similar to a cable modem but provides high-speed Internet service over telephone lines
FCC: Federal Communications Commission
assigns different frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for different uses in the United States
Fiber-Optic (Cable)
Consists of thousands of strands of glass or plastic bound together in a sheathing; transmits signals with light beams
Firewall (Network Control Device)
filters the information coming onto a network
Gateway (Network Control Device)
A network point that acts as an entrance to another network
GPS: Global Positioning System
uses satellites to pinpoint the location of objects on earth
Hub (Network Control Device)
A small electronic box used as a central point for connecting a series of computers
Infrastructure
In telecommunications, infrastructure refers to the hardware, software, and protocols that support telecommunications
LAN: Local Area Network
a privately-owned computer network that connects computers and devices within the same building or local geographic area
Microwaves
Waves sent at the high end of the radio spectrum, between 1 and 300 GHz
Mobile Phone
the handset used by the subscriber to communicate on a cellular network
Network Adapter
A computer circuit board, PC card, or USB device installed in a computer so that the computer can be connected to a network
NIC: Network Interface Card
A circuit board or PC card that provides a port for the device to connect to a wired network with traditional network cables
Radio Spectrum
part of the electromagnetic spectrum, refers to all of the frequencies available for radio waves from about 10 KHz to 300 GHz and their assigned uses
Repeater (Network Control Device)
Connects multiple network segments
RFID: Radio Frequency Identification
uses tiny transponders in devices or tags that can be attached to merchandise or other objects and read wirelessly using an RFID reader
Router (Network Control Device)
Determines the best path for passing a data packet between networks to its destination
Signal
Telecommunications signals are analog or digital electronic transmissions for the purpose of communication
Signal Frequency
the speed at which an electronic communications signal can change from high to low
Switch (Network Control Device)
makes it possible for several users to send information over a network at the same time
Telecommunications
the electronic transmission and reception of signals for voice and data communications
Telecommunication Devices
include the wide variety of computer hardware designed to support telecommunications
Telecommunication Media
anything that carries a signal and creates an interface between a sending device and a receiving device
Telecommunication Network
include computing and/or communications devices connected together for communications, information, and resource sharing
Telecommunication Software
software based on telecommunications protocols used to control, monitor, and troubleshoot data traveling over a telecommunications network
Twisted Pair (Cable)
Pairs of twisted wires covered with an insulating layer, used for telephone and computer networks
WAN: Wide Area Network
connects LANs between cities, across countries, and around the world using microwave and satellite transmission or telephone lines
Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity
wireless networking technology that uses access points to wirelessly connect users to networks within a range of 250–1,000 feet
Wireless Access Point (Network Control Device)
a Wi-Fi device, connected to a wired or cellular network to send and receive data to wirelessly
Wireless adapter
A circuit board, PC card, or an external device that connects through an antenna-equipped USB port that is able to send and receive network radio signals
Wireless Data Communication
telecommunications that take place over the air to provide data and Internet accessy
Glossary: Telecommunications