| Glossary Directory |
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Stuck for words?
If you've ever wondered what some acronyms stand for - or mean - in the fast-moving world of mobile communications, scroll down the table below.
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| Fenestrae glossary |
| Term |
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Description |
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| XHTML |
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eXtensible HyperText Markup Language
Successor to HTML. Will be (or already is) supported by Internet browsers. Also WAP 2.0 will adopt XHTML is the markup language for mobile phones with WAP 2.0 browsers.
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| X.25 |
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The International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee standard for connecting terminal equipment to packet switching data circuits. This communications protocol is often used to connect applications (including for example MDS) to SMSCs. |
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| WTLS |
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Wireless Transport Layer Security
Provides a number of security classes on transport level for communications between a WAP phone and a WAP gateway. MDS supports WTLS as an optional module.
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| WSP |
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Wireless Session Protocol
Communications protocol defined within the WAP specifications. Can be roughly thought of as the wireless analogue of HTTP.
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| WML |
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Wireless Markup Language.
Based on XML, this allows Web sites to tailor information to fit the small screen and limited capacity of mobile devices. WML is defined by the WAP Forum and part of the WAP specifications.
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| WAP |
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Wireless Application Protocol.
WAP is a standard to enable mobile device users to view web pages easily. It is intended to simplify wireless access to e-mail and enable web transactions to be carried out. WAP makes it possible to access the internet using a mobile phone, pager or other wireless communication device. It is completely independent of network technology and the operator and is currently supported by 99% of mobile phone manufacturers. For more information, please refer to www.wapforum.com
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| WAN |
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Wide Area Network.
A network that connects computers at sites spread over a wide geographic area. See also LAN.
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| WAM |
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Wireless Application Middleware.
System-level software that sits between corporate applications, wireless networks and mobile devices allowing applications to interact in a distributed wireless computing environment.
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| USSD |
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Unstructured Supplementary Services Data.
USSD is a method of transmitting messages via the GSM network in an interactive, open session environment. It is GSM based, therefore it works on all existing GSM mobile phones. It is also supported in SIM Application toolkit and WAP.
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| UMTS |
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Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
A new generation technology for rapidly moving data and multimedia over wireless devices. The European implementation of the 3G wireless phone system. UMTS provides service in the 2GHz band and offers global roaming and personalized features. Designed as an evolutionary system for GSM network operators, multimedia data rates up to 2 Mbps are expected.
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| Telco |
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Telephone Company |
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| TDMA |
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Time Division Multiple Access
One of several technologies used to separate multiple conversation transmissions over a finite frequency allocation of through-the-air bandwidth. Allocates a discrete amount of frequency bandwidth to each user, to permit many simultaneous conversations. However, each caller is assigned a specific time slot for transmission. See also Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).
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| TCP/IP |
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Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
TCP is a set of working internet communications protocols for dissimilar systems. TCP was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense and controls the transfer of data and IP controls the routing mechanism. TCP is now considered to be a normal standard for local area networks.
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| SyncML |
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Standard for data synchronisation, for example between a mobile client and a server. SyncML will be the de-facto synchronisation standard.
The SyncML website can be found at www.syncml.org
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| SSL |
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Secure Sockets Layer
Encryption technology for the Web used to provide secure transactions such as the transmission of credit card numbers for e- commerce.
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| SMTP |
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Simple Mail Transfer Protocol |
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| SM-SC |
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Short Message Service Center.
Part of the mobile operator network that handles sending and storing of SMS messages.
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| SMS |
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Short Messaging System
The alphanumeric messaging system of GSM. Available on digital GSM networks allowing text messages of up to 160 characters to be sent and received via the network operator's message center to your mobile phone, or from the Internet using a so- called 'SMS gateway' website. If the phone is powered off, or out of range, messages are stored in the network (usually for a maximum of 72 hours) and are delivered at the next opportunity. Messages can originate from other mobile phones, personal computers or certain palmtop computers.
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| SMPP |
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Short Message Peer-to-Peer ProtocolCommunications protocol that is standardized within the WAP Forum as the protocol for applications to communicate with SMSCs.
This is an additional module for MDS 2.5 for support of the SMPP Short Message Service Centre and ESME's (External Short Message Entities). The protocol requires a connection dedicated to either incoming or outgoing messages. Therefore, two connections are required in order to both send and receive messages using SMPP.
By design, the Fenestrae Mobile Data Server assigns only a single communication module to a service. Therefore, two services are required for a bi-directional connection.
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| Smart Phone |
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Traditionally, the mobile phone has been exclusively a device for voice telephony, the paradigm being the PSTN fixed phone. As GSM networks evolved to deliver new, mobile data driven, applications, users increasingly demanded new functionality on their mobile terminals to enable them to use these new services effectively. Optimized for narrowband communications and offering limited display capabilities, traditional GSM phones were unable to satisfy these demands. |
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| SIP |
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Session Initiation Protocol
Protocol for setting up multimedia "calls" or sessions (such as videoconferencing or sharing a presentation) over IP-based networks. Looks set to replace H.323 as the most popular protocol for such applications. More information can be found at: www.sipforum.org |
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| SIM |
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Subscriber Identification Module.
A plastic card, which is placed in the back of a mobile phone and allows you to store information on your phone.
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| Server |
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A networked (Windows NT) server computer running applications such as Microsoft Exchange and providing other services such as printing and file sharing. |
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| Router |
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Machine or program that handles routing in a network by selecting the correct path, or correctly links various network segments and protocols. |
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| Roaming Agreement |
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An agreement between mobile service providers which allows users of mobile telephone equipment to use the equipment in areas that are not covered by their specific service provider. For example, mobile telephones registered with the Dutch PTT can be used in the United Kingdom where the service providers are, for example, CellNet and VodaPhone, because of a roaming agreement between the service providers.
Each service provider issues details of all other providers, worldwide, with whom they have roaming agreements.
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| RAS Server |
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Remote Access Server.
The machine used as the server for remote access duties.
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| PSTN |
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Public Switched Telephone Network
General term referring to the variety of telephone networks and services in place worldwide.
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| POP3 |
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Post Office Protocol
Standard email protocol used by most Internet email systems for collecting and storing email for retrieval by end users. Email clients also use the POP3 protocol to retrieve email from their POP3 email servers. |
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| PLMN |
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Public Land Mobile Network |
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| PIM |
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Personal Information Management
Applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes are generally considered as PIM applications.
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| PDN |
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Packet Data Network |
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| PDA |
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Personal Digital Assistant
A portable organizer, increasingly with Internet access and e-mail functions.
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| Packet |
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A short fixed-length section of data, transmitted as a unit in an electronic communications network. |
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| OEM |
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Original Equipment Manufacturer |
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| ODBC |
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Open DataBase ConnectivityStandard for accesing databases.
Standard application programming interface for accessing data in both relational and non-relational database management systems. Using this application-programming interface, 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. ODBC is based on the call level interface specification of the X/Open SQL Access Group and was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation, Lotus, Microsoft, and Sybase.
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| MTP |
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Mobile Transfer Part |
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| MMT SMS |
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Mobile Terminated Short Message Service
A short message that is received by a mobile phone.
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| MSC |
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Mobile Switching Center
This contains all the control and switching elements for a cellular system, housed by the Mobile Telephone Switching Office.
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| MS |
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Mobile StationTechnical term to indicate a mobile phone. |
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| Mobile e-commerce |
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Mobile e-commerce (aka m-commerce) is exactly the same as e-commerce except that the access mechanism is via a wireless phone or terminal rather than the fixed telephone network. The security aspect of transactions is addressed by the encryption inherent in the GSM specification. Internet access is being addressed by initiatives such as the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), which provides an easy-to-use system for Internet access from mobile terminals. |
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| MO SMS |
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Mobile Originated Short Message ServiceAn SMS message that originates from amobile phone going to another mobile phone or applications that can receive SMS. |
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| MO |
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Mobile Originated.
A type of protocol.
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| MMS |
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Multimedia Messaging Service
New type of messaging within mobile networks that extends SMS but and actually very much like email. MMS messages can be seen as "slide shows" where each slide consists of text, a picture and an audio object. To support MMS networks will need to integrate new infrastructure elements. End users will need to have mobile phones that support MMS (I.e. have an MMS User Agent)
MMS is defined by 3GPP and the WAP Forum
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| MMAP |
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Mobile Mail Access Protocol. |
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| MM |
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Mobility Management. |
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| MAP |
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Mobile Application PartPart of the SS7 signalling protocol used in GSM networks. |
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| LDAP |
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Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. |
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| LAN |
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Local Area Network.
A network that connects computers at sites spread over a small area, usually within the same building. See also WAN.
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| ISV |
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Independent Software Vendor |
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| ISP |
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Internet Service Provider
A company that provides access to the Internet. By establishing points-of-presence (POP's) containing remote access servers and additional devices, as well as a suite of user software packages the Internet service provider acts as a commercial Internet on-ramp. Providers typically charge a monthly fee and supply technical support and advice to customers.
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| ISDN |
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Integrated Services Digital Networks
A CCITT standard developed to cover a range of voice, data, and image services. It is intended to provide end-to-end, simultaneous handling of voice and data on a single link. Access channels include Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI).
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| IP |
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Internet Protocol
The layer-three protocol used in the TCP/IP set of protocols, which support the Internet and many private networks. IP provides a connection-less datagram delivery service for transport-layer protocols such as TCP and UDP.
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| Internet telephony |
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Generic term used to describe various approaches to running voice telephony over IP. |
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| i-mode |
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Proprietary packet-based information service for mobile phones.
i-mode delivers information (such as mobile banking and train timetable) to mobile phones and enables exchange of e-mail from handsets on the PDC-P network. Launched in 1999 by NTT DoCoMo, i-mode is very popular in Japan (especially for e-mail and the transfer of icons), but is not currently used elsewhere.
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| IMAP |
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Internet Mail ??? Protocol
Mail retrieval protocol similar to POP3 but with some advantages (such as header only retrieval).
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| HTTP |
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Hypertext Transfer Protocol
The client-server TCP/IP protocol used on the World-Wide Web for the exchange of HTML documents. It conventionally uses port 80.
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| HTML |
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Hypertext Markup Language A hypertext document format used on the World-Wide Web. HTML is built on top of SGML. 'Tags' are embedded in the text. A tag consists of a <, a 'directive' (case insensitive), zero or more parameters and a >. Matched pairs of directives, like are used to delimit text which is to appear in a special place or style. Links to other documents are in the following form: http://machine.edu/subdir/file.html Where A and /A delimit an 'anchor', HREF introduces a hypertext reference which is most often a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) - the string in double quotes in the above example. The link is represented in the browser by the text text typically shown underlined and in a different color. A certain place within an HTML document can be marked with a named anchor, for example, The 'fragment identifier', bez can be used in an HREF by appending #bez to the document name. HTML supports some standard SGML national characters and other non-ASCII characters through special escape sequences, for example, é for a lower case 'e' with an acute accent. The World-Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the international standards body for HTML. |
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| HSCSD |
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High Speed Circuit Switched Data
GSM is currently a circuit switched technology and HSCSD is the final evolution of circuit switched data within the GSM environment. HSCSD will enable the transmission of data over a GSM link at speeds of up to 57.6kbit/s. This is achieved by concatenating, i.e. adding together, consecutive GSM time slots, each of which is capable of supporting 14.4kbit/s. Up to four GSM time slots are needed for the transmission of HSCSD.
HSCSD is part of the planned evolution of the GSM specification and is included in the GSM Phase 2 development. In using HSCSD a permanent connection is established between the called and calling parties for the exchange of data. As it is circuit switched, HSCSD is more suited to applications such as video conferencing and multimedia than 'bursty' type applications such as e-mail, which is more suited to packet switched data -see GPRS.
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| HDML |
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Handheld Device Markup Language
Derived from Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), this programming language allows Internet access from wireless devices such as handheld personal computers and smart phones.
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| GSM |
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Originally Groupe Speciale Mobile, although now generally understood as Global System for Mobile Communications. This usually means a digital cellular telephone network for mobile equipment such as telephones, telefaxes and pagers |
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| GPRS |
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General Packet Radio Service (system)
GPRS, which has been standardized by ETSI as part of the GSM Phase 2+ development, represents the first implementation of pocket switching within GSM, which is essentially a circuit switched technology. Rather than sending a continuous stream of data over a permanent connection, pocket switching only utilizes the network when there is data to be sent. Using GPRS will enable users to send and receive data at speeds up to 115kbit/s.
The implementation of GPRS will bring tremendous benefits to GSM network operators. It brings Internet Protocol (IP) capability to the GSM network for the first time and enables connection to a wide range of public and private data networks using industry standard data protocols such as TCP/IP and X.25. GPRS is extremely efficient in its use of scarce spectrum resources and enables GSM operators to introduce a wide range of value added services for market differentiation. GPRS is ideal for 'bursty' type data applications such as e-mail or Internet access, and can also enable 'virtual permanent connection' to data sources, allowing information to arrive rather than being sought. This cannot be achieved using standard circuit- switched networks. By upgrading their networks to GPRS, existing GSM operators will have third generation capable networks, as UMTS will use packet-switching technology. An early move to GPRS can reduce the eventual investment needed to make the transition to third generation.
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| Firewall |
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A firewall machine is a dedicated gateway machine with special security precautions on it, used to service outside network, especially Internet, connections and dial-in lines. The idea is to protect a cluster of more loosely administered machines hidden behind it from 'crackers'. The typical firewall is an inexpensive microprocessor- based Unix machine with no critical data, with modems and public network ports on it, but just one carefully watched connection back to the rest of the cluster. The special precautions may include threat monitoring, call-back, and even a complete 'iron box' keyable to particular incoming ID's or activity patterns. |
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| ERP |
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Enterprise Resource Planning
The linking of a company's various business operations and functions by means of complex software. ERP is now being rapidly extended to the growing number of e-business applications being developed over the Internet, connecting customer, supply chain and other activities.
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| EMS |
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Enhanced Messaging Service
Enhancement of standard SMS services. EMA supports concattenation of multiple SMS into a single EMS message, sending basic pictures and melodies within EMS messages, basic formatting of text within an EMS message (bold, italics, etc) and the inclusion of vCard and vCalendar objects within EMS messages.
Mobile networks does not need new network elements to support EMS, but of course handsets need to support it.
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| EDGE |
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Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution
EDGE is currently being standardized within the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and represents the final evolution of data communications within the GSM standard. It is an enhanced modulation technique designed to increase network capacity and data rates in GSM networks. EDGE should provide data rates up to 384 Kbps. EDGE will let operators without a 3G license to compete with 3G networks offering similar data services. It is not expected before 2001 at the earliest.
As 384kbit/s is the data speed being offered in the first phase of third generation deployment, EDGE could offer an alternative route for GSM operators who will not have third generation licenses.
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| Digital |
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A way of encoding information. On digital networks, data doesn't need to go through the extra step of being converted to analog signals, voice is sampled and coded in a way similar to how it is recorded on a CD. Digital networks are fast replacing analog ones as they offer improved sound quality, secure transmission and can handle data directly as well as voice. Digital networks include mobile systems GSM, D-AMPS, CDMA and TDMA. |
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| CRM |
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Customer Relationship Management
The use of software systems to target and serve customers by using data intelligently. Products can be tailored to individual needs.
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| CDMA |
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Code Division Multiple Access
A digital wireless telephony transmission technique. Spread spectrum air interface technology used in some digital cellular, personal communications services, and other wireless networks.
1) CDMA allows multiple frequencies to be used simultaneously (Spread Spectrum). The CDMA idea was originally developed for military use over 30 years ago.
2) The CDMA standards used for second-generation mobile telephony are the IS-95 standards championed by Qualcomm.
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| Cache memory |
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A small, fast memory holding recently accessed data, designed to speed up subsequent access to the same data. Most often applied to processor-memory access but also used for a local copy of data accessible over a network and so on. When data is read from, or written to main memory, a copy is also saved in the cache, along with the associated main memory address. The cache monitors addresses of subsequent reads to see if the required data is already in the cache. If it is (a cache hit) then it is returned immediately and the main memory read is aborted (or not started). If the data is not cached (a cache miss) then it is fetched from main memory and also saved in the cache.
The cache is built from faster memory chips than main memory, therefore, a cache hit takes much less time to complete than a normal memory access. The cache may be located on the same integrated circuit as the CPU, in order to further reduce the access time. In this case, it is often known as 'primary cache' since there may be a larger, slower secondary cache outside the CPU chip.
The most important characteristic of a cache is its hit rate - the fraction of all memory accesses which are satisfied from the cache. This in turn depends on the cache design but mostly on its size relative to the main memory. The size is limited by the cost of fast memory chips.
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| Bluetooth |
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A short-range wireless connection standard. Its aim is to link a wide range of computers, electronics and telecoms devices. The technology uses a low-power, two-way radio link, which is built into a microchip. For more info: www.bluetooth.com |
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| ASP |
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Application Service Provider
A company providing IT services for users who do not want to run all their own IT activities. ASPs run enterprise software on their own computers; companies access this over a telecommunications network. This field of activity can be referred to as applications hosting.
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| API |
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Application Programming Interface
A programming interface for accessing and administering ISDN services. |
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| analog |
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The simple way to transmit speech, which is translated into electronic signals of different frequency and/or amplitude. The first networks for mobile phones, as well as broadcast transmissions, were analog. Due to being longer established in some countries, analog networks may offer better coverage than digital networks, however analog phones are less secure and suffer more from interference where the signal is weak. |
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| 3GPP |
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3G Partnership Project
Organisation that deals with most of the 3G specifications. The 3G technical specifications can be found at www.3gpp.org |
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| 3G |
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In mobile telephony, third-generation protocols support much higher data rates, measured in Mbits/second, intended for applications other than voice. 3G networks are expected to be, starting in Japan by 2001, in Europe and part of Asia/Pacific by 2002, and in the US later. 3G will support bandwidth-hungry applications such as full-motion video, video-conferencing and full internet access. |
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| 2G |
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In mobile telephony, second-generation protocols use digital encoding and include GSM, D-AMPS (TDMA) and CDMA. 2G networks are in current use around the world. These protocols support high bit rate voice and limited data communications. They offer auxiliary services such as data, fax and SMS. Most 2G protocols offer different levels of encryption |
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| 2.5G |
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Term generally used to denote GPRS networks which have characteristics of 3G networks (such as being packet based) with speeds not very much exceeding that of 2G networks. |
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| 1G |
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In mobile telephony, first generation systems were analog, circuit- switched. Voice links were poor, hand-off unreliable, capacity low, and security non-existent. 1G systems are not now under active development - indeed, in some areas 1G spectrum is being auctioned for 2G and 3G use. |
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| SQL |
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Structured Query Language |
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