ADSL
< communications, protocol> Asymmetric Digital Subscriber
Loop. A form of a data transfer protocol in which the bandwidth
available for downstream connection is significantly larger
than for upstream. ADSL can carry digital data, analogue voice
and broadcast MPEG2 video in a variety of implementations
to meet customer needs.
Analog
<electronics> A description of a continuously variable
signal or a circuit or devices designed to handle such signals.
The opposite is ‘digital’.
ASF
<language> A language for equational specification
of abstract data types.
<file format> (.asf) The file format used by Windows
Media. ASF is an extensible file format designed to store
synchronized multimedia data. It supports data delivery
over a wide variety of networks and protocols while still
proving suitable for local playback.
Bluetooth
<protocol, standard> Bluetooth is the new standard
for wireless radio communications. It facilitates between
devices such as mobile phones, PDAs and computers. For more
details, see www.bluetooth.com
Cat
5
<hardware> Category 5. An American Standards Institute
standard notation for cables. Used, e.g., for 100BaseTX
Ethernet cabling.
Dect
< communications> Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications.
DECT defines only the radio connection between two points
and can be used for remote access to public and private
networks.
Electromagnetic
waves
Radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with
electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration
of an electric charge. Activated, for instance, in microwaves
and mobile phones.
Ethernet
< networking > A type of networking technology for
local area networks; coaxial cable carries radio frequency
signals between computers at a rate of 10 megabits per second
or higher.
Flash
memory
A computer chip with a memory that retains its data (digital
information like MP3 files, JPEG’s, Word documents
etc.) even when the power is turned off. The data can be
electronically erased and reprogrammed.
Hotspot
<communication> A specific geographical location in
which an access point provides public wireless broadband
network services to mobile visitors through a WLAN. Hotspots
are often located in heavily populated places such as airports,
train stations, libraries, marinas, convention centers and
hotels. Hotspots typically have a short range of success.
ISDN
<communication> Integrated Services Digital Network.
A set of communication standards allowing a single wire
or optical fibre to carry voice, digital network services
and video. ISDN is generally seen as the new standard and
replaces the plain old analogue telephone system.
MB
<unit> (or “Mb”) megabytes or megabits.
A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity. One
megabyte is equal to 1.024 kilobytes. 1.024 megabytes are
equal to one gigabyte
MP3
<music, file format> (filename extension “.mp3”)
A digital audio compression algorithm that achieves a compression
of factor of about twelve while preserving sound quality.
MP3 files can be played using software available for most
operating systems.
MP4
<compression, file format> The standard for low bandwith
video telephony and multimedia,
PDA
<computer> Personal Digital Assistant. A light weight,
hand-held, usually pen-based computer used as a personal
organizer.
SIM
<communications> Subscriber Identity Module. A module
with the identity information of the subscriber, integrated
in a card suitable to fit into a mobile phone.
USB
<hardware, standard> Universal Serial Bus. An external
peripheral interface standard for communication between
a computer and external peripherals over a cable using bi-serial
transmission.
Finalized
in 2001, USB 2.0 is a complete overhaul to the Universal
Serial Bus input/output bus protocol which allows much higher
speeds than the older USB 1.1 standard did.
The
vast majority of USB 2.0 devices will work on older PC’s
and Macs. None should flat-out fail unless there are other
issues with the system.
Voice
over IP
<communications> (VoIP) Any technology providing voice
telephony services over IP connections.
IP is a connectionless best-effort packet switching protocol.
It provides packet routing, fragmentation and re-assembly
through the data link layer.
WMA
<multimedia, file format> (.wma) - Windows Media Audio,
designed to compete with MP3. Claims competitive sound quality
at lower bit rates.
WAV
<multimedia, file format> A sound format developed
by Microsoft and used extensively in Microsoft Windows.
Conversion tools are available to allow most other operating
systems to play .wav files.
Wi-Fi
<networking> a local area network that uses high frequency
radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances
of a few hundred feet; uses ethernet protocol [syn: wireless
local area network, WLAN, wireless fidelity, WiFi]
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