A set of licensed programs, together with user applications, that
use the all-points-addressable concept to print data on a wide variety
of printers or to display data on a variety of display devices. AFP includes
creating, formatting, archiving, retrieving, viewing, distributing,
and printing information.
Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS)
The original analog cellular network and currently the world's
largest cellular standard.
Advanced Radio Data Information Service (ARDIS)
A wireless data network from American Mobile Satellite Corporation
that covers more than 11,000 cities and towns in the U.S. Operating
in the 806-824/851-869MHz bands, ARDIS is a packet-switched network
that provides a data rate of 19.2 Kbps and is known for its deep penetration
into buildings. Primarily used for field service and transportation
applications, ARDIS was created by Motorola in the mid-1980s for IBM's
field service division and was later spun off as a commercial service.
A technology based on Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology
that is for Internet access where fast downstream is required, but
slow upstream is acceptable.
Pertaining to events that are not synchronized in time or do not
occur in regular or predictable time intervals. For example, input
events are controlled by the user; the program can read them later.
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)
A communications method in which information is organized into
small, fixed-length cells that recur without regular or predictable
time relationships. ATM incorporates network switches and negotiated
service connections.
A worldwide organization of automobile manufacturers that is involved
in the standardization of automotive multimedia interfaces to motor
vehicle communication networks.
base station (BS)
An earth-based transmitting and receiving station for cellular
telephones, paging services and other wireless transmission systems.
Bluetooth
Technology specification created for short-range (up to 10 meters)
wireless connection using low-cost transceiver chips to be embedded
in mobile PCs, smart telephones, and other portable devices. Provides
three voice and data channels via a one-to-one connection with built-in
encryption and verification.
A standard for transmitting data over a cellular network that
places the data in digital electronic envelopes and sends it at high
speed through underused radio channels or during pauses in cellular
telephone conversations.
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association
(CTIA)
A trade group that represents cellular, PCS, and enhanced specialized
mobile radio carriers.
A form of multiplexing where the transmitter encodes the signal
using a pseudo-random sequence, which the receiver also knows and
can use to decode the received signal. Each different random sequence
corresponds to a different communication channel.
Commercial Mobile Radio Services spectrum (CMRS)
An organization that provides cellular, PCs, mobile radio, paging,
and other wireless services.
Connectionless Network Protocol (CLNP)
An OSI protocol for the delivery of data. It uses datagrams (packets)
that include address information for routing network messages. Used
in local area networks (LANs) rather than wide area networks (WANs).
copper chip technology
A technology in which chips exploit the capabilities of copper
circuitry, which passes electrical currents more easily than aluminum.
Aluminum has been the traditional material used in the wires that
connect the "switches," or transistors, in silicon chips. Copper chip
technology produces smaller, faster chips that have enormous capacity
for holding and transmitting information.
The United States Department of Defense agency responsible for
creating ARPANET, a large TCP/IP network. This agency was formerly
called the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).
A cordless telephone that uses digital transmission technology
to provide more security and better sound quality than a traditional
analog cordless telephone.
Digital European Cordless Telecommunications (DECT)
A digital wireless telephone technology that is expected to make
cordless telephones much more common in both businesses and homes.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
A technology that dramatically increases the digital capacity
of ordinary telephone lines in the home or office.
A communications protocol that is used to centrally manage configuration
information. For example, DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses
to computers in a network. The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
is defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Unique identification number embedded in a wireless telephone
by the manufacturer to prevent fraud. ESN differs from the mobile
identification number, which is the wireless carrier's identifier
for a telephone in the network.
embedded system
A computer system that is a component of a larger machine or system.
Embedded systems can respond to events in real time. Hosts of embedded
systems include watches, household appliances, cars, and cellular
telephones.
Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE)
A faster version of the GSM wireless service that is designed
to deliver data at rates up to 384 Kbps and enable the delivery of
multimedia and other broadband applications to mobile telephone and
computer users. The EDGE standard is built on the existing GSM standard,
using the same time-division multiple access (TDMA) frame structure
and existing cell arrangements.
A standard metalanguage for defining markup languages that is
based on Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). XML simplifies
the process of authoring and managing structured information and transmitting
and sharing structured information across diverse computing systems.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
In TCP/IP, an application protocol used for transferring files
to and from host computers.
fixed wireless data
Wireless service to a fixed location through antennas larger than
those in mobile or portable setups. The fastest data throughputs--up
to T-1 speed--are available over fixed wireless networks.
Wireless classification under which users can access data while
in motion, for example, in a vehicle.
gateway
A ground-based link to a mobile satellite service network.
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
A packet data communications system that allows information to
be sent and received across a mobile telephone network. GPRS permits
faster Internet access and improved mobile technology through continuous
connectivity.
Communications system with satellites in geosynchronous orbits
22,300 miles above Earth.
global mobile personal communications services (GMPCS)
Future mobile satellite systems that will provide global wireless
telephone service.
global positioning system (GPS)
A satellite constellation that provides highly accurate position,
velocity, and time navigation information to users.
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)
A standard for digital cellular telephone systems that originated
in Europe and is now used in countries across the globe. GSM networks
support voice, data, text, and facsimile transmissions.
A technology that uses infrared radiation for wireless transmission
between computer devices, as well as many handheld remotes for TVs
and video and stereo equipment. Infrared transmission requires an
unobstructed line of sight between transmitter and receiver.
integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN)
A Motorola-enhanced mobile radio network technology that integrates
two-way radio, telephone, text messaging, and data transmission into
a single network.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
An international communications standard for sending voice, video,
and data over digital telephone lines.
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
An Internet protocol that is used by a gateway to communicate
with a source host, for example, to report an error in a datagram.
Internet screenphone
A telephone-like appliance with a built-in display screen that
may be used to call up Internet sites quickly.
Internet service provider (ISP)
An organization that provides access to the Internet.
in-vehicle information system (IVIS)
A system that enables intelligent vehicles to provide the functionality
to increase the productivity and safety of the driver.
An object-oriented programming language for portable interpretive
code that supports interaction among remote objects. Java was developed and specified by Sun Microsystems,
Incorporated.
Jini
A trademark for technology licensed by Sun Microsystems. Jini
is a Java-based connection technology. It allows Jini-compatible devices
such as printers to connect transparently to a network and to interact.
kiosk services
Solutions for business center service providers such as hotel
chains, airports and office service franchises that offer document
services (storing, reproduction and distribution) through shared access
devices in public spaces.
An open protocol that uses TCP/IP to provide access to directories
that support an X.500 model and that does not incur the resource requirements
of the more complex X.500 Directory Access Protocol (DAP). For example,
LDAP can be used to locate people, organizations, and other resources
in an Internet or intranet directory.
Linux®
An open source implementation of the UNIX® system.
A network that connects several devices into a limited area (such
as a single building or campus) and that can be connected to a larger
network.
local exchange carrier (LEC)
An authorized carrier that has been commissioned to provide local
voice-level telecommunications services within a predetermined area.
Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS)
A system for broadband microwave wireless transmission direct
from a local antenna to homes and businesses within a line-of-sight
radius; a solution to the so-called last-mile technology problem of
economically bringing high-bandwidth services to users. LMDS is an
alternative to installing optical fiber all the way to the user or
to adapting cable TV for broadband Internet service.
local number portability (LNP)
Subscribers' ability to switch local or wireless carriers and
still retain the same telephone number, as is possible now with long-distance
carriers.
low earth orbit (LEO)
An orbit between 700 and 2,000 kilometers above the Earth that
is used by mobile communications satellites.
A network formed by the interconnection of two or more networks
which may operate at higher speed than those networks, may cross administrative
boundaries, and may use multiple access methods. See also wide area network.
microbrowser
A Web browser designed for small display screens on smart telephones
and other handheld wireless devices.
Micro-Electric Mechanical System (MEMS)
A technology that embeds mechanical devices such as fluid sensors,
mirrors, actuators, pressure and temperature sensors, vibration sensors
and valves in semiconductor chips.
middleware
Software that connects two separate applications and passes data
between them. For example, a type of middleware can link a database
system to a Web server. This allows users to request information from
the database using forms displayed on a Web browser, and it enables
the server to return dynamic Web pages based on the user's request
and profile.
A protocol that defines the form of an XML document for data exchange.
Insertions, modifications, and deletions of items in a data store
can be described in MDSP documents.
Mobile Data Synchronization Service (MDSS)
The ability to synchronize data on client devices with data stored
in an enterprise database. A common protocol has been developed that
will eventually allow a variety of clients to synchronize with a variety
of databases.
Mobile Network Computing Reference Specification
(MNCRS)
A specification that defines a set of standards for mobile Java devices.
mobile satellite service (MSS)
A radiocommunication service between mobile earth stations and
one or more space stations, or between space stations used by this
service.
mobitex
An open standard for sharing information among mobile devices
using radio transmission.
MQLite
A lightweight message queuing facility that provides a subset
of MQ Series functionality. MQLite transmits Mobile Data Synchronization
Protocol (MDSP) documents between the client and the mid-tier server.
Pertaining to a system that operates using multiple interfaces
(e.g. both text and speech). Multi-modal paradigm user interfaces
(MMUIs) will be used in next-generation devices to allow interaction
via voice, touch and keyboard input.
A standard that combines cellular voice processing with digital
signaling, increasing the capacity of Advanced Mobile Phone Service
(AMPS) systems and adding functionality.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA)
The United States government's authority on spectrum management.
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP)
A protocol that is used to post messages in, distribute messages
to, and retrieve messages from newsgroups and to transfer articles
between news servers.
A standard application programming interface (API) for accessing
data in both relational and nonrelational database management systems.
Using this API, database applications can access data stored in database
management systems on a variety of computers even if each database
management system uses a different data storage format and programming
interface.
Open Service Gateway (OSG)
A specification that is being defined by the Open Service Gateway
initiative (OSGi), a consortium of more than 20 companies, including IBM.
The OSG specification will outline open standards for the management
of voice, data and multimedia wireless and wired networks..
open systems interconnection (OSI)
The interconnection of open systems in accordance with standards
of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the
exchange of information.
A type of authentication where the user name and password are
transmitted in an unencrypted form. This is a more basic form of authentication
than Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP). See also Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol.
Experimental IBM technology that allows information devices
to communicate discreetly and synchronize with one another when in
close proximity, using the human body as an antenna.
personal communication system (PCS)
A Federal Communications Commission classification for digital
wireless communication systems based on the same principles as cellular
systems, but usually operating in a different frequency range and
with smaller cell sizes than cellular systems.
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(PCMCIA)
An international standards body and trade association founded
in 1989 to establish a standard for connecting peripherals to portable
computers.
personal digital assistant (PDA)
A handheld device that is used for personal organization tasks
(such as calendaring, note-taking, and recording telephone and fax
numbers), and networking functions such as email and synchronization.
personal digital cellular (PDC)
Technology used in digital cellular telephone communication in
Japan.
Personal Handy Phone System (PHS)
Personal communications system used in Japan as both a digital
cordless telephone in homes and offices and as a cellular telephone
outdoors.
A handheld Windows-based computer that runs the Pocket PC operating
system (formerly Windows® CE).
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
A data-link protocol for communication between two computers that
use a serial interface, typically a personal computer connected by
telephone line to a server.
An alternating current that generates an electromagnetic field
when applied to an antenna. The generated electromagnetic field is
suitable for wireless broadcasting and communications.
A security protocol that provides communication privacy. With
SSL, client/server applications can communicate in a way that is designed
to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and message forgery.
set-top box
A single or multiple tuner device that enables the display of
cable or satellite signals on a television.
The international high-speed signaling backbone used for the public-switched
telephone network.
silicon-germanium technology (SiGe)
A technology that makes possible the design of complex chips that
integrate the functions of a cellular telephone, an e-mailbox and
an Internet browser into a hand-held information device with rapid
data transfer capability.
Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI)
A microchip technology that provides faster computer chips that
also require less power, a key requirement for extending the life
of pervasive devices.
An Internet application protocol for transferring mail among users
of the Internet. SMTP specifies the mail exchange sequences and message
format. It assumes that the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is
the underlying protocol.
smart telephone
A telephone that enables connections to the Internet or Lotus Notes® network so that users can
access e-mail, faxes, voice mail, Web pages and other files. It can
also connect to a speech recognition server by telephone so that a
user can dictate notes or responses and then see the recognized text
as it is returned from the server.
A set of tools, APIs, and documentation to assist with the development
of software in a specific computer language or for a particular operating
environment.
A standard metalanguage for defining markup languages that is
based on the ISO 8879 standard. SGML focuses on structuring information
rather than presenting information; it separates the structure and
content from the presentation. It also facilitates the interchange
of documents across an electronic medium.
Structured Query Language (SQL)
A standardized language for defining and manipulating data in
a relational database.
subscriber identity module (SIM)
A smart card inserted into GSM telephones that contains the user's
telephone account information, and that allows the user to use a borrowed
or rented GSM telephone as if it were his or her own.
A technology that uses digital pulses to send data over copper
telephone lines. SDSL cannot operate simultaneously with voice connections
over the same wires.
System Management Facility (SMF)
A z/OS® facility that collects and records a variety
of system and job-related information. Examples of information collected
by SMF are statistics, accounting information, and performance data.
The next generation of wireless technology. Multimedia 3G networks
transmit wireless data up to 2 megabits per second, making possible
the integration of voice, data and video.
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
A digital communication technology used by some carriers to provide
PCS service. TDMA is a multiplexing technology used with satellites
and cellular telephones, in which multiple channels of data are interleaved
(each signal is assigned to a different time interval, and the signals
are transmitted by taking turns). See also extended time division multiple access.
Time-Modulated Ultra-Wide Band (TM-UWB)
New wireless technology that greatly broadens bandwidth. Developed
by Time Domain, TM-UWB uses short, coded pulses transmitted over a
wide range of frequencies, making it useful for a broad range of applications
from networking to through-the-wall radar and secure communications.
An analog cellular telephone system deployed mostly in Europe.
It was modeled after the AMPS system in the U.S.
transcoding
The operation of changing data from one format to another, such
as XML to HTML, so that the output will be displayed in a manner appropriate
to the device.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP)
An industry-standard nonproprietary set of communications protocols
that provide reliable end-to-end connections between applications
over interconnected networks of different types.
Two-Party Key Distribution Protocol (2PKDP)
A security protocol that combines bidirectional authentication
with key distribution using a minimal number of messages.
The third generation mobile telecommunications standard, defined
by the ITU, that increases transmission speed to 2 Mbps per mobile
user and establishes a global roaming standard.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
An Internet protocol that provides unreliable, connectionless
datagram service. It enables an application program on one machine
or process to send a datagram to an application program on another
machine or process.
virtual private network (VPN)
An extension of a company's intranet over the existing framework
of either a public or private network. A VPN ensures that the data
that is sent between the two endpoints of its connection remains secure.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Sending telephony voice over Internet Protocol (IP) data connections
rather than existing dedicated voice networks, switching and transmission
equipment.
A handheld, touch-screen wireless device for Web browsing.
wide area network (WAN)
A network that provides communication services between devices
in a geographic area larger than that served by a local area network
(LAN) or a metropolitan area network (MAN). See also metropolitan area network.
wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA)
A CDMA channel that is four times wider than the channels that
are typically used in 2G networks in North America. It supports very
high-speed multimedia services such as full-motion video. It uses
one 5 MHz channel for both voice and data, offering data speeds up
to 2 Mbps. Wideband CDMA is known as UMTS in Europe.
A version of the Windows operating
system designed for handheld devices. Version 3 is often known as
Pocket PC.
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
An open industry standard for mobile Internet access that allows
mobile users with wireless devices to easily and instantly access
and interact with information and services.
Wireless Binary XML (WBXML)
A succinct encoding of XML defined by the WAP Forum. MDSP documents
are encoded into WBXML and the WBXML byte stream is sent by enqueuing
it on an MQLite queue as a single message object.
Wireless Data Forum (WDF)
An industry group dedicated to promoting wireless data.
Wireless Fidelity (WiFi)
A high-frequency wireless local area network. WiFi technology
is rapidly gaining acceptance in many companies as an alternative
to a wired LAN. It can also be installed for a home network.
wireless intelligent network (WIN)
Wireless switched network that allows carriers to provide enhanced
and customized services for mobile telephones.
wireless LAN
A network that uses wireless transmissions such as radio or infrared
to provide communication services between devices.
Wireless Markup Language (WML)
A markup language based on XML that is used to present content
and user interfaces for wireless devices such as cellular telephones,
pagers, and personal digital assistants.
A sandwich layer that links the Wireless Application Environment
(WAE) to two session services: one connection-oriented, operating
above the Wireless Transaction Protocol, the other connectionless,
operating above the Wireless Datagram Protocol.