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Glossary
3G
- 3rd Generation GSM
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a low power radio technology being developed with the
objective of replacing the wires currently used to connect electronic
devices such as personal computers, printers and a wide variety of handheld
devices such as palm top computers and mobile phones.
The development of Bluetooth began in early 1998 and was led by a number
of telecommunications and computer industry leaders. Motorola is a member
of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. The Bluetooth specification will
be open and royalty-free, and available to anyone who wishes to use it
in their products.
Bluetooth operates in the 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical)
band and devices equipped with Bluetooth should be capable of exchanging
data at speeds up to 720kbit/s at ranges up to 10 metres. This is achieved
using a transmission power of 1mW and the incorporation of frequency hopping
to avoid interference. If the receiving device detects that the transmitting
device is closer than 10 metres it will automatically modify its transmitting
power to suit the range. The device should also shift to a low-power mode
as soon as traffic volume becomes low or ceases altogether.
Bluetooth devices are capable of linking together to form piconets, each
of which can have up to 256 units, with one master and seven slaves live
while the rest are in standby modes. Piconets can overlap and slaves can
be shared. A form of scatternet can be established with piconets overlapping
allowing data to migrate across the networks.
Further
information: www.bluetooth.com
Dual
Band
Dual
band refers to the capability of GSM network infrastructure and handsets
to operate across two frequency bands. The first dual band GSM network
infrastructure and dual-band capable handsets were available from Motorola
in 1997, with the first dual band 900/1800MHz European networks implemented
the same year.
Dual
band technology enables a network operator with spectrum at both 900MHz
and 1800MHz to support the seamless use of dual band handsets across both
frequencies. By supporting seamless handovers between 900MHz and 1800MHz,
dual band networks can provide major benefits in terms of capacity enhancement
and revenue optimisation through the introduction of new services.
EDGE
- Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution
ETSI -
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
GSM
- Global System for Mobile Communications
GSMA -
GSM Association
GPRS -
GSM Packet Radio Service
GPRS,
which has been standardised by ETSI as part of the GSM Phase 2+ development,
represents the first implementation of packet switching within GSM, which
is essentially a circuit switched technology. Rather than sending a continuous
stream of data over a permanent connection, packet switching only utilises
the network when there is data to be sent. Using GPRS will enable users
to send and receive data at speeds of 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 email 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 3G will
use packet switching technology. An early move to GPRS can reduce the
eventual investment needed to make the transition to third generation.
GPS -
Global Positioning System
GPS refers to satellite-based radio positioning systems that provide 24
hour three-dimensional position, velocity and time information to suitably
equipped users anywhere on or near the surface of the Earth (and sometimes
off the earth). The NAVSTAR system, operated by the U.S. Department of
Defence, was the first GPS system widely available to civilian users.
Applications include hand-held telematics, fleet tracking and vehicle
management systems - wireless communication devices designed for automobiles
providing drivers with personalised information, messaging, entertainment
and location-specific travel and security services. GPS technology is
used in a wide range of applications, including maritime, environmental,
navigational, tracking and monitoring.
SMS - Short
Message Service
WAP -
Wireless Application Protocol
The
development of WAP is being driven by the WAP Forum, initially founded
by Motorola, Nokia, Ericsson and Unwired Planet. Since its inception the
WAP Forum has grown dramatically and now comprises over 80 members drawn
from the world’s leading telecommunications and software companies.
WAP is a technology designed to provide users of mobile terminals with
rapid and efficient access to the Internet. WAP is a protocol optimised,
not only for use on the narrow band radio channels used by second generation
digital wireless systems but also for the limited display capabilities
and functionality of the display systems used by today’s mobile terminals.
WAP inte.g.rates telephony services with microbrowsing and enables easy-to-use
interactive Internet access from the mobile handset. Typical WAP applications
include over-the-air e-commerce transactions, online banking, information
provisioning and messaging. WAP will enable operators to develop innovative
services to provide differentiation in competitive market environments.
Further
information: www.wapforum.org
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