User's Manual

InterReach Unison Installation, Operation, and Reference Manual D-1
D-620003-0-20 Rev J CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX D Glossary
Air Interface A method for formatting data and voice onto radio waves. Common
air interfaces include AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, and GSM.
AIN Advanced Intelligent Network. AINs allow a wireless user to make and receive
phone calls while roaming outside the user’s “home” network. These networks,
which rely on computers and sophisticated switching techniques, also provide
many Personal Communications Service (PCS) features.
Amplitude The distance between high and low points of a waveform or signal.
AMPS Advanced Mobile Phone Service. AMPS is an analog cellular FDMA sys-
tem. It was the basis of the first commercial wireless communication system in
the U.S and has been used in more than 35 other countries worldwide.
Analog The original method of modulating radio signals so they can carry informa-
tion which involves transmitting a continuously variable signal. Amplitude Mod-
ification (AM) and Frequency Modulation (FM) are the most common methods
of analog modulation.
ANSI The American National Standards Institute. A nonprofit, privately funded
membership organization founded in 1918 that reviews and approves standards
developed by other organizations.
AWS Advanced Wireless Services
Antenna A device for transmitting and/or receiving signals.
Attenuation The decrease in power that occurs when any signal is transmitted.
Attenuation is measured in decibels (dB).
Backhaul A term applied to the process of carrying wireless traffic between the
MSC and the base station.
Base Station The radio transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with
mobile devices within a specific area.