Wireless communication brings own terminology

The emerging world of wireless communications, including wireless Internet access, has developed its own vocabulary.

Listed here are a few key terms laid out to help navigate the emerging wireless landscape:

AMPS Advanced Mobile Phone System

The analog (non-digital) cellular telephone system used in the United States. It is in the 800 MHz frequency range.

Analog

A method of modulating radio signals so that they can carry information such as voice or data.

Bandwidth

The transmission capacity of a medium within a range of frequencies.

More bandwidth means more data can be transmitted during a given amount of time.

Broadband

A high bandwidth communication channel capable of transmitting a relatively large amount of data in a given amount of time.

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

A spread-spectrum digital communication technology, CDMA is one of three technologies used to provide PCS service. Other PCS technologies are TDMA and GSM 1900. CDMA also operates in the 800 MHz frequency range of the AMPS and D-AMPS cellular systems.

Cellular

A system using multiple base stations to divide a service area into cells. Cellular calls are transferred from base station to base station as a user travels from cell to cell.

D-AMPS Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System

The next step up from the AMPS analog system, D-AMPS is digital. It is also known as TDMA (see the definition below).

Digital

A method of encoding information using a binary code of 0s and 1s. Newer wireless phones and networks incorporate digital technology.

Dual band

A feature that allows a handset to operate on either the 800 MHz cellular or the 1900 MHz PCS frequency.

Dual mode

A feature that allows the handset to operate on both analog and digital networks.

GSM Groupe Spcial Mobile

Known in this country as Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM was established as the digital wireless communications standard in Europe in 1991. GSM 1900 is the GSM system used in the United States on the 1900 MHz PCS band.

PCS Personal Communication System

Named by the Federal Communication Commission, PCS refers to the digital phone service offered in the recently licensed 1900 MHz frequency band.

Spectrum

The entire range of electromagnetic frequencies.

Spread Spectrum

A communications technology where a signal is transmitted over a broad range of frequencies and re-assembled when received.

TDMA Time Division Multiple Access

A digital communication technology that assigns each user to a different time slot within the spectrum. It is one of three technologies used to provide PCS service. Other PCS technologies are CDMA and GSM 1900. TDMA also operates in the 800 MHz frequency range of the AMPS and D-AMPS cellular systems.

WAP Wireless Application Protocol

A global standard for developing an industry-wide specification for applications over wireless communications networks, such as microbrowsers, e-mail and Web-to-mobile-handset messaging.