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GSM Glossary of Terms |
Wireless technology is evolving at such a
pace that it is often difficult to keep up with the latest terms and
acronyms. This section of the site aims to resolve this by clearly
defining and explaining the terms and technologies.
GSM Association is pleased to acknowledge
Motorola as the source of this information. This glossary was compiled by
Motorola unless otherwise stated.
Bluetooth
CAMEL - Customized Applications for Mobile Networks
Enhanced Logic
Cellular Cassette
Dual Band
e-Commerce - Electronic Commerce
EDGE - Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution
EFR - Enhanced Full Rate
GPRS - GSM Packet Radio Service
GPS - Global Positioning System.
H.323
HSCSD - High Speed Circuit Switched Data
HTML - Hypertext markup language
http - Hypertext transfer protocol
iDEN®
IMT-2000 - International Mobile Telecommunications-2000
IP and VoIP - Internet Protocol and Voice over Internet
Protocol
IRIDIUM®
Java™
Java Card
MeXe - Mobile Execution Environment
Mobile e-Commerce
SIM Toolkit - Subscriber Identity Module Application
Toolkit
Smart Cards
Smart Phones
Symbian
Telematics
TIPHON - Telecommunications and Internet Protocol Harmonization
over Networks
Tri-Band
TrueSync
UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
Unified Messaging
UP - Unwired Planet®
VoiceXML™ - (Supplied by the VoiceXML™ Forum)
WAP - Wireless Application Protocol
Wireless Enterprise
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 meters. 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 meters 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
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CAMEL - Customized
Applications for Mobile Networks Enhanced Logic
CAMEL is a GSM feature name for including IN (Intelligent Network)
functions into a GSM system. CAMEL is used when roaming between networks,
allowing the home network to monitor and control calls made by its
subscribers. The feature allows numbers dialed to be modified during call
set-up, and monitoring of call answer and clear down. Possible
applications include pre-paid roaming services, fraud control, special
numbers (e.g. 123 for voicemail works everywhere) and closed user groups
(office extension numbers work everywhere). CAMEL has been standardized in
three phases, the first of which is starting to be deployed now.
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Cellular Cassette
The cellular cassette is an accessory to a satellite mobile handset,
enabling interoperation with the GSM network and essentially creating a
dual mode handset. The handset can be set to either mode, or to automatic
mode, when it will search for the GSM network first. If that is not
available, it will automatically switch to the satellite network.
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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 optimization through the introduction of
new services.
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glossary index
e-Commerce -
Electronic Commerce
e-commerce is the broad definition of the new phenomenon of remote
commercial transactions using telecommunications and the Internet. People
are increasingly shopping for goods and services through the Internet,
with suppliers developing specialist web sites that allow potential
customers to ‘browse’ as if they were in a department store. The
location of the supplier is irrelevant, they can be in the same country or
many thousands of miles away. The take-up of e-commerce was inhibited by
fears about the security of Internet transactions but advances in the
encryption process have largely addressed these concerns and the
e-commerce market is set to flourish. A key element in the success of
e-commerce will be the forging of alliances and partnerships between the
different operators, Internet Service Providers (ISP), content providers
and vendors.
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EDGE - Enhanced Data
for GSM Evolution
EDGE, which is currently being standardized within the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), represents the final
evolution of data communications within the GSM standard. EDGE uses a new
modulation scheme to enable data throughput speeds of up to 384kbit/s
using existing GSM infrastructure.
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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EFR - Enhanced Full
Rate
Enhanced Full Rate is one of the key features in developing new markets
for differentiation of speech quality between existing GSM networks and
new networks which have EFR infrastructure and mobiles. EFR not only
enables the GSM operator to differentiate its product from existing
networks it also allows it to better address wireline ‘Minutes of Use’
as it offers a comparable speech quality.
The Enhanced Full Rate speech codec has been defined specifically for
speech quality purposes but a side effect of the improved coding
algorithms is that it has higher tolerance to interference. The improved
interference tolerance can in turn be sacrificed for higher system loading
without subscribers noticing a degradation in overall speech quality.
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GPRS - GSM Packet
Radio Service
GPRS, which has been standardized 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 utilizes 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.
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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 Defense,
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 personalized 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.
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H.323
H.323 is a protocol for the transmission of real-time audio, video and
data information over packet switching-based networks. Such networks
include IP-based (including the Internet), Internet packet exchange-based
local area networks, enterprise networks and metropolitan and wide area
networks. H.323 can also be applied to multipoint-multimedia
communications. The technology provides a vast array of services which
means it can be used in consumer, business and entertainment applications.
H.323 is an essential element in ensuring that the compatibility of the
mobile multimedia applications and services will be introduced with the
implementation of third generation wireless technologies. The H.323
standard was specified within the ITU-T organization by Study Group 16.
The original standard was realized in 1996 and further enhancements, up to
Version 3, have been developed in the intervening years.
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HSCSD - 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 timeslots, each of which is capable of supporting
14.4kbit/s. Up to four GSM timeslots 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 videoconferencing and multimedia than ‘bursty’
type applications such as email, which is more suited to packet switched
data – see GPRS.
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HTML - Hypertext
markup language
A script language used to describe the text content and format of a Web
Page. It includes simple directives (called tags) which indicate the style
of headings and content text, and select other features such as pictures
or Java programs. The interpretation of the script language is highly
dependent on the web browser used, the size of the screen and user
preferences, which mean that the same HTML script rarely looks the same on
any two computers.
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http - Hypertext
transfer protocol
http is the computer handshaking protocol used between a Web Browser and a
Web Server to request and receive a web page. The protocol operates over
IP.
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iDEN®
iDEN® technology for Integrated Digital Enhanced Networks –
Motorola’s iDEN® integrated digital wireless solution is
designed for mobile business users who need immediate access to
information and people without having to carry several pieces of
equipment. Four-in-one iDEN® technology allows users to take
full advantage of advanced wireless technologies by combining the
capabilities of a digital cellular phone, two-way radio, alphanumeric
pager and data/fax modem in a single portable handset.
This integration strategy provides business professionals with flexible
communications capabilities that allow users to access information in the
most convenient and practical manner, depending on their objectives. Among
the many benefits the iDEN® solution provides is the ability
to instantly connect with one person or hundreds with the push of a
button, thus eliminating time wasting and costly individual calls.
iDEN® systems are based on GSM architecture, however its
efficient air interface utilizes 25 kHz channels which can be
non-contiguous. Today, iDEN® systems are operational in more
than a dozen countries throughout North and South America, the Middle
East, and Asia Pacific.
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IMT-2000 -
International Mobile Telecommunications-2000
IMT-2000 is the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) concept of a
family of technological solutions that will enable the implementation of
third generation wireless communications. The third generation of mobile
technologies will operate in the 2GHz band and will deliver advanced,
multimedia-type communications. IMT-2000 is the successor to the ITU’s
original concept of a single global third generation technology known as
Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunications System (FPLMTS). This concept
was abandoned when the ITU recognized the impossibility of creating a
single global standard.
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IP and VoIP -
Internet Protocol and Voice over Internet Protocol
IP is a protocol used for the transmission of information, primarily
between computers over the Internet. It works by dividing the information
to be transmitted into a number of packets and then attaches a header to
each packet containing address information. The packet is then sent into
the Internet where it is routed to its destination. Because each packet is
treated as a separate entity, even through it might be part of a long
message, IP is said to be a connectionless packet switched protocol. IP is
well suited to the Internet as it is designed for networks of changing
structure where packets might get lost or delayed.
Voice over IP takes standard voice signals and encodes them using IP. At
present most voice signals are carried using circuit switched bearers
where a channel is set up and maintained between the calling and called
parties for the duration of a call. Using IP results in a very different
arrangement where the voice is divided into packets and each packet is
sent separately. The benefits of this are that the total bandwidth
required can be reduced since nothing need be sent when the caller is not
speaking. Current interest in VoIP is primarily driven by the capability
to get international calls at local rates by routing voice traffic over
the Internet.
Long term interest in VoIP is in the convergence of today’s networks
into a single network for voice and data traffic. This would result in
economies for the network operator and greater opportunities to integrate
voice and data services.
Back to glossary index>
IRIDIUM®
IRIDIUM®is a communications system comprising a constellation
of 66 low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites forming a mobile wireless system
allowing subscribers to place and receive calls from any location in the
world.
Originally conceived and developed by Motorola, the satellite
constellation is connected to existing terrestrial telephone systems
through a number of gateway ground-stations. IRIDIUM Inc. was established
as a separate company in 1991 to develop and deploy the network, with
Motorola as the prime contractor for the IRIDIUM® system,
supplying satellites, gateways, and communication products. IRIDIUM®
handsets are manufactured by Motorola and Kyocera. The IRIDIUM®
system became commercially active on November 1 1998.
Further information: www.iridium.com
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Java™
Java™ is a relatively recent computer programming language developed by
Sun. It embodies many of the newer software development productivity and
security features, such as object-oriented design and reuse. Java™ is
designed to operate on any computer and interprets the program as it runs.
This gives added benefits of high security, small program size traded-off
by slower execution speed. It has been very popular for use with web
browsers for these reasons, but is also finding its way into mainstream
products from PC office applications to embedded controllers. There are
four levels of Java capability which are supersets of each other: Java
Card (used on Smart cards), Embedded Java™ (used in controllers with
little or no user display), Personal Java™ (used in handheld organizers
etc) and the full Java™.
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Java Card
In July 1997, Sun announced the first specification of a Java Card. This
enabled, for the first time, the implementation of intelligent agents in
smart cards for mobile phones. An intelligent agent is essentially a
subset or compilation of computer code that is designed to support a
specific function or set of functions. When the code module is launched it
can be routed to a host or card-resident application where it is validated
to serve its designated purpose. For example, a code module might be used
by a service provider to allow a subscriber to search remotely for the
telephone numbers of specific services such as plumbers or lawyers. The
user might then go off-line to make calls to other parties. The
intelligent agent would trigger a search for the required information and,
when available, would take the data and send it to the subscriber’s
telephone smart card. Effectively, the addition of Java modules, known as
applets, enable a smart card to support all the capabilities of a
standalone computer running a specific application program. The Java Card
specification provides a number of opportunities for smart card-based
applications, and can support 8, 16 and 32 bit microprocessors. Improved
response time on today’s faster cards - up to 32kbps - allows for the
faster downloading of more applets.
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MeXe - Mobile
Execution Environment
Likely to be based on Java technology, MeXe will enable WAP (Wireless
Application Protocol)-enabled devices to offer a wider range of features
with greater security and flexibility. MeXe will also enable greater
control of telephony features than is possible with WAP alone.
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Mobile e-Commerce
Mobile e-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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SIM Toolkit -
Subscriber Identity Module Application Toolkit
In the initial realization of GSM, the SIM card played an essentially
passive role, providing the user with the necessary authentication to
access the network and storing the GSM encryption algorithms that ensured
speech security. The SIM Toolkit extends the role of the SIM card, making
it a key interface between the mobile terminal and the network. Using the
SIM Toolkit, the SIM card can be programmed to carry out new functions.
These include the ability to manipulate the menu structure of the mobile
terminal to provide new, tailored options – for instance the handset
could provide a menu for ‘domestic’ use and a menu for business use.
Either way, the phone becomes personalized to the individual and therefore
user-friendly.
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Smart Cards
The original GSM Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards provided an
individual identity for each mobile user, handling issues such as
authentication and providing storage for basic user data and network
information. The current generation of SIM cards contain integrated
silicon chips which extend the intelligence and capability of the card and
provide the user with access to a vast range of new card-enabled (as
opposed to network-enabled) applications. The key to smart cards is the
SIM Toolkit which is a standard set of program tools stored on the chip
within the SIM card. These tools, combined with an application dependent
code, can be used to run remote applications downloaded by the operator
and accessed via the phone.
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Smart Phones
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.
The solution was the development and commercialization of ‘smart
phones’, new GSM terminals with enhanced display capabilities and new
functionalities which enabled users to access their email, faxes and
company intranets easily and quickly. The paradigm ceased to be the PSTN
phone and became the palm top or laptop computer. Smart phones have larger
displays, often a QWERTY or touch-sensitive keypad, and specialized
built-in software linked to specific services and applications.
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Symbian
Formerly Psion Software, Symbian is a joint venture between Psion,
Ericsson, Nokia and Motorola to promote the EPOC operating system for
wireless information devices. Symbian’s main product is EPOC (derived
from epoch – the beginning of an era), a 32-bit operating environment
which has already been proven in the Psion Series 5 palmtop computer. EPOC
comprises a suite of applications, customizable user interfaces,
connectivity options and a range of development tools.
Symbian and its partners are working to facilitate key mobile standards,
including Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Bluetooth and Java. The
addition of the Starfish TrueSync technology to Symbian's EPOC combines
two technologies which have been specifically developed to accommodate the
constraints of mobile computing and telecommunications devices while
providing intuitive, powerful applications and connectivity with desktop
and mobile devices.
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Telematics
Telematics is a wireless communications system designed for the collection
and dissemination of data. Applications include vehicle-based electronic
systems, mobile telephony, vehicle tracking and positioning, on-line
navigation and information services and emergency assistance. Static
applications include stock control (automatic ordering), and monitoring of
utilities meters.
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TIPHON -
Telecommunications and Internet Protocol Harmonization over Networks
TIPHON is an ETSI project designed to support the market for voice
communications and related voice band communications between users. It
will ensure that users connected to IP-based networks can communicate with
users on circuit-switched networks such as GSM.
TIPHON is being developed within ETSI by more than 40 member companies
with the goal of achieving a global standard. To achieve this goal ETSI is
working with other leading standardisation bodies such as the ITU and the
IMTC Voice over IP Activity Group.
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Tri-Band
Specific to handsets, a tri-band cellular phone will operate on three
different frequencies, depending on the available network. Outside
America, the GSM frequencies used are 900MHz and 1800MHz. ‘American GSM’,
or PCS, operates at 1900MHz. The introduction of tri-band phones is a
further step towards true worldwide roaming.
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TrueSync™
TrueSync, developed by Starfish, is a technology which enables optimal synchronization
of wireless calendars, address books, action lists and memoranda. It
provides multi-point, one-step synchronization of wireless and wireline
devices, desktop applications and server-based applications and services.
TrueSync allows users to enter information once anywhere and synchronies
it everywhere. It also enables the development of ultra-thin wearable
products without the loss of performance or quality, optimizing the
battery life and memory capacity. Starfish was acquired by Motorola in
1998.
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UMTS - Universal
Mobile Telecommunications System
UMTS is the European member of the IMT2000 family of third generation
cellular mobile standards. The goal of UMTS is to enable networks that
offer true global roaming and can support a wide range of voice, data and
multimedia services. Data rates offered by UMTS are: vehicular - 144 kbit/s;
pedestrian 384 kbit/s; in-building 2Mb/s.
These new 3G networks will build on the success of GSM, and on the GSM
operators - existing investment in infrastructure. The first stage of
service and network evolution is from today's GSM systems, through the
implementation of GPRS, to commercial UMTS networks expected from 2001.
Many of the original goals of UMTS are being met by the evolving GSM
standard such as global roaming and personalized service features. The
major differentiators of UMTS are: a new air interface operating at around
2GHz which will offer superior performance to GSM in terms of higher data
rates and capacity, and a packet-based network architecture which supports
both voice and data services.>
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Unified Messaging
In the mobile environment, unified messaging means providing an individual
user access, through his or her mobile terminal, to all the recognized
messaging formats including voice mail, facsimile, pager, SMS and email.
In today’s working environment, messages are received in a wide variety
of formats from a myriad of different sources. Unified messaging brings
all these different messaging formats and services under a single
umbrella, giving the user the opportunity to manage his data and
information services for maximum benefit.
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UP - Unwired Planet®
UP technology is advancing the development of an increasing number of
innovative, interactive information services and applications for
mass-market wireless handheld devices. Smart phones enabled with handheld
device mark-up language (HDML) give mobile users interactive access to
high-value information published in HDML on standard Web servers.
Applications include corporate information such as orders, billing,
shipment records, inventory availability, sales performance and any other
information stored in corporate databases; public information such as
financial news, stock quotes, airline schedules and weather forecasts and
any other information available on the Internet; and personal information
such as calendar, address book and email.
HDML-enabled smart phones can dial mobile voice calls under application
control. Examples of data/voice interaction include calling back the
sender of a page or calling a travel agent after receiving an alert that a
flight has been delayed. These smartphones can also route information from
Web servers to fax machines, enabling mobile users to print invoices,
electronic mail, stock charts, or other documents.
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VoiceXML™ -
(Supplied by the VoiceXML Forum)
VoiceXML™
- Based on the World Wide Web Consortium's industry-standard extensible
Markup Language (XML), VoiceXML™ provides a high-level programming
interface to speech and telephony resources for application developers,
service providers and equipment manufacturers. As such, the language
follows all of the syntactic rules of XML with semantics that support the
creation of interactive speech applications.
Standardization of VoiceXML™ will: simplify creation and delivery of
Web-based, personalized interactive voice-response services; enable phone
and voice access to integrated call center databases, information and
services on Web sites, and company intranets; and help enable new voice-capable
devices and appliances. VoiceXML™ is expected to expand access to the
Internet through telephones and other devices using both speech and
ordinary touch-tone user interfaces.
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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 optimized,
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 integrates telephony services with micro browsing
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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Wireless Enterprise
Wireless Enterprise is defined at Motorola as a total solution delivering
seamless on site and off site communications mobility, using the same
handset therefore – making the mobile phone the primary phone. The
mobile handset allows access to corporate specific information and
applications, such as directory look up or ordering schedules/price lists.
Existing corporate numbering plan and voicemail systems are fully
integrated. The solution provides an industry standard data capability for
home and visiting laptops. A competitive tariff package is essential.
Such solutions deliver the business benefits of mobility to the workplace,
enabling business process applications such as Hot Desking.
Motorola's purpose designed in-building GSM service delivery platform -
MCell Horizon office delivers the capacity required for this application
exactly where required. Small, discreet head units are deployed throughout
the building, connected back to a cluster controller using existing
telephony or LAN cabling.
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About us |
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LibanPhone.com is the
first Lebanese Internet telephone directory. This website contains
professional information related to Voice over IP applications and software.
Also you can find valuable information about GSM and mobile telephony.
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