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Acronym	Term	Definition
	3-Axis	3 reference lines from which distances or angles are measured in a coordinate system.
	Accelerometer	An accelerometer is a device for measuring acceleration and gravity induced reaction forces. Single- and multi-axis models are available to detect magnitude and direction of the acceleration as a vector quantity. Accelerometers can be used to sense inclination, vibration, and shock. They are increasingly present in portable electronic devices and video game controllers.
AFLT	Advanced Forward Link Trilateration	A geo-location technique standardized by 3GPP2 that utilizes the mobile station's (MS) measured time of arrival of radio signals from the base stations (and, possibly, other terrestrial measurements).
AMI	Advanced Metering Infrastructure	Is the communications solution that creates a network between remote meters and utility operations centers, and allows real-time collection of data and information.
AMPS	Advanced Mobile Phone Service	A first-generation frequency division duplex analog radio and telephone standard used primarily in North America, Central America and South America. AMPS use a total of 50 MHz of spectrum: 25 MHz at 824-849 for uplink transmission and 25 MHz at 869-894 MHz for downlink transmission, using 30 kHz channel separation. D-AMPS are the digital version of the standard.
	Affiliate	Companies who work with larger carriers to build a nationwide network. Affiliates may use the larger carrier's brand name, network operations, customer service or other resources.
	Air Interface	The operating system of a wireless network. Technologies include AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM and iDEN.
	Air Time	Actual time spent talking on the wireless telephone. Customers are generally billed based on how many minutes of air time they use each month.
	Almanac	An approximation of the orbit models of the entire constellation of GPS satellites. Typically used for acquiring satellite signals rather than calculating position. It is valid for a period of months. In comparison, ephemeris data is valid only for a matter of hours.
ANSI	American National Standards Institute	ANSI is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international standards so that American products can be used worldwide. For example, standards make sure that people who own cameras can find the film they need for that camera anywhere around the globe. ANSI accredits standards that are developed by representatives of standards developing organizations, government agencies, consumer groups, companies, and others. These standards ensure that the characteristics and performance of products are consistent, that people use the same definitions and terms, and that products are tested the same way. ANSI also accredits organizations that carry out product or personnel certification in accordance with requirements defined in international standards.
	Analog	The traditional method of adapting radio signals so they can carry information. AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation) are the two most common analog systems. Analog has largely been replaced by digital technology, which is more secure, more efficient and provide better quality.
AOA	Angle of Arrival	Network based positioning method that measures the angle at which radio signals arrive at multiple points.
ANSI-41	ANSI-41	ANSI-41 is a standard for identifying and authenticating users, and routing calls on mobile phone networks. The standard also defines how users are identified and calls are routed when roaming across different networks. ANSI-41 is the standard used by AMPS (analog), IS-136 (TDMA) and CDMA networks.
	Anywhere Fix	The ability of a receiver to start position calculations without being given an approximate location and approximate time.
API	Application Program Interface	Is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing all the building blocks. A programmer then puts the blocks together.
ASIC	Application Specific Integrated Circuit	Customized microchip designed to perform a very specific task, normally in real time. ASIC design involves taking common functions from a library and integrating them onto a circuit. Examples are GPS signal correlators, video accelerators.
	ASP Web Application	Executing atop ASP.NET, an application for processing HTTP requests. An ASP.NET Web application can include ASP.NET pages, HTTP handlers, HTTP modules, and XML Web services.
	Asset Tracking	The use of cellular networks to track and collect data from remote wireless devices attached to either fixed or mobile assets.
A-GPS	Assisted GPS	A technique of providing a GPS receiver with data (or equivalent information) that it would ordinarily have to download from the GPS satellites. This technique speeds the satellite acquisition time, and the time-to-fix of the GPS receiver.
ARIB	Association of Radio Industries & Businesses	An incorporated body designated by the Ministry of Posts and Communication of the Japanese government to pursue effective radio utilization in the radio communication and broadcast sector.
AJAX	Asynchronous JavaScript and XML	Is a group of inter-related web development techniques used for creating interactive web applications. A primary characteristic is the increased responsiveness of web pages achieved by exchanging small amounts of data with the server "behind the scenes" so that entire web pages do not have to be reloaded each time there is a need to fetch data from the server. This is intended to increase the web page's interactivity, speed, functionality and usability.
CAN	Automatic Crash Notification	Vehicle onboard system designed to notify a designated call center in the event of a significant collision, reporting the vehicle location, speed and severity of the crash, deployment of airbag(s) and other diagnostic information from onboard sensors (sometimes referred to as "Mayday Systems"). An "Accelerometer" is often used to track the suddenness of the impact and activate notification when preset G-Force is achieved.
AGC	Automatic Gain Control	Closed-loop control system that keeps amplifier gain constant under varying signal strength conditions. Typically used in the IF portion of the receiver. In GPS systems, which have a negative SNR at the IF stage, the AGC operates not on signal but on noise power.
AVL	Automatic Vehicle Location	The automated system and related technology of tracking vehicle locations. AVL systems utilize GPS technology coupled with wireless communication systems to provide a vast array of data to the home station and/or fleet operator.
ARPU	Average Revenue Per Unit	Is a measure used primarily by consumer communications and networking companies, it is the total revenue divided by the number of subscribers.
	Bandwidth	The range of frequencies in a signal.
	Base Station or Reference Station	A receiver that is set up on a known location specifically to collect data for differentially correcting rover files. The base station calculated the error for each satellite and, through differential correction, improves the accuracy of GPS positioning collected at unknown locations by a roving GPS receiver.
BTS	Base Transceiver Station	Cellular transmitter. Also referred to simply as base station.
BAUD	BAUD	Symbols per seconds. Measure of the speed of a communications channel. Different than bps (one symbol may represent several bits)
BPS	Bits Per Second	Measure of speed of a communications channel.
BT	Bluetooth	The code name for a new technology that enables mobile devices equipped with a special chip to send and receive information wirelessly. Using Bluetooth, electronic devices such as desktop computers, wireless phones, electronic organizers and printers in the 2.4 GHz range can “talk to” each other.
	Broadband	A general term describing telecommunications systems that can move data, such as voice and video services, at higher speeds.
	Byte	A byte is an ordered collection of bits, with each bit denoting a single binary value of 1 or 0. The byte most often consists of 8 bits in modern systems, however, the size of a byte can vary and is generally determined by the underlying computer operating system or hardware.
	Carrier	1. Also known as service provider or operator, a carrier is the communications company that provides customers service (including air time) for their wireless phones. 2. A signal that can be varied from a known reference by modulation.
	Carrier phase GPS	GPS measurements based on the L1 or L2 carrier signal.
	Carrier-aided tracking	A signal processing strategy that uses the GPS carrier signal to achieve an exact lock on the pseudo random code.
	Carrier frequency	The frequency of the non-modulated fundamental output of a radio transmitter.
	Cartographic	The art or science of making maps or charts. Cartography combines science, aesthetics, and technical ability to create a balanced and readable representation that is capable of communicating information effectively and quickly.
	CDMA2000	A radio transmission technology for the evolution of narrowband cdmaOne/IS-95 to 3rd-generation adding up multiple carriers. See also WCDMA for single carrier/direct spread technology.
	Cell	The basic geographic unit of wireless coverage. Also, shorthand for generic industry term "cellular." A region is divided into smaller "cells," each equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The radio frequencies assigned to one cell can be limited to the boundaries of that cell. As a wireless call moves from one cell to another, a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the call and at the proper time, transfers the phone call to the new cell and new radio frequency. The handoff is performed so quickly that it’s not noticeable to the callers.
CB - CSMS	Cell Broadcast	Short Message (text or binary) that is broadcasted to all subscribers within a cell.
	Cell Site	The location where a wireless antenna and network communications equipment is placed.
	Cell Splitting	A means of increasing the capacity of a wireless system by subdividing one cell into two or more smaller cells.
CDPD	Cellular Digital Packet Data	A technology that separates data files into many "packets" and sends them through empty channels of existing voice networks. It allows users to send and receive data from anywhere in a particular coverage area at any time, quickly and efficiently.
	Cellular M2M	Is a term for Machine-to-Machine communications using CDMA or GSM wireless technologies. This technology is increasingly used in the utilities, telematics, transportation, and security and alarm industries.
	Channel	A path along which a communications signal is transmitted. A channel of a GPS receiver consists of the circuitry necessary to receive the signal from a single GPS satellite.
	Chip	A small piece of semi conducting material (usually silicon) on which an integrated circuit is embedded. A typical chip is less than ¼-square inches and can contain millions of electronic components (transistors). Computers consist of many chips placed on electronic boards called printed circuit boards.
	CHURN	The average number of customers that leave a subscription service during a year.
	Clock Bias	The difference between the clock’s indicated time and true universal time.
	Code phase GPS	GPS measurements based on the pseudo random code (C/A or P) as opposed to the carrier of that code.
CDMA	Code-Division Multiple Access	A second-generation digital communication technology used in both cellular and PCS wireless telephony. It assigns unique matching codes to each separate pair of listeners and speakers, thereby enabling them to be transmitted over the same channel. CDMA combines several smaller channels into one larger channel by using spread spectrum technology. Other technologies used are GSM PDC & TDMA. In 1999, 13% of the world’s cell-phones were CDMA (source: EMC World Cellular Database).
	Cold Start	A-GPS receiver powers-up and performs a location fix without any stored frequency or time information.
	Collinear	Relating to cell-towers: towers are co-linear if they lie along the same line (e.g. along a straight highway).
	Co-Location	Placement of multiple antennas at a common site to reduce environmental impact and leasing costs, and to speed zoning approvals and network deployment. Some companies act as brokers, arranging cell sites and coordinating many carriers' antennas at a single cell site
CMRS	Commercial Mobile Radio Service	An FCC designation for any wireless carrier or license owner whose wireless service is connected to the public switch telephone network and/or is operated for profit.
	Commercial Telematics	Enables fleets of vehicles to be managed, including freight trucks, service vehicles, emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and public transportation vehicles. It also is used to track mobile remote assets, such as construction equipment and trailers. It also includes Remote diagnostics.
	Consumer Aftermarket Telematics	Are applications based on hardware devices which are installed after the vehicle is produced and are not usually integrated into the vehicle bus. Examples of most common aftermarket telematics services are: stolen vehicle tracking, remote engine start, driver monitoring, internet connectivity, and geofencing
	Control segment	A world-wide network of GPS monitor and control stations that ensure the accuracy of satellite positions and their clocks.
CAN	Controller Area Network	The CAN data bus is a data bus system specifically designed for used in vehicles. The CAN data bus is a bi-directional bus; each connected control module is able to send and receive information. The CAN data bus consists of a special twisted two-core cable. The users (control modules) are connected to this cable. Transmission of data takes place redundantly via both cables, whereby the data bus levels are mirrored (that is, if the level on one cable is 0, the other cable transmits level 1 and vice versa). The twin-line concept is used for two reasons: for fault identification and as a safety concept. If a voltage peak occurs on just one line (e.g. due to EMC problems), the receivers can identify this as a fault and ignore the voltage peak.
	Convolution	A complete set of correlations, where every possible delay of the locally generated replica of the signal is included in the set.
	Convolution Processor	A device that performs a convolution.
	Correlation	A signal processing operation used to indicate when a received signal and a locally generated replica of the signal are correctly aligned.
	Correlator	A hardware device that performs a correlation.
C/A code	Course/Acquisition code	The standard (Course/Acquisition) GPS code. A sequence of 1023 pseudo-random, binary, bi-phase modulations on the GPS carrier at a chip rate of 1.023 MHz. Also known as the "civilian code."
	C-Plan-Control Pane	Refers to the LCS architecture and method of using the control channel to carry assistance data and location responses. In this method, the voice call and location information are directly associated with each other. Used for implementing E911/E112 services.
	Cycle slip	A discontinuity in the measured carrier beat phase resulting from a temporary loss of lock in the carrier tracking loop of a GPS receiver.
	Data Bus	It is a means of getting data from one point to another, point A to point B, one device to another device, or one device to multiple devices. The bus includes not only the actual capability to transfer data between devices, but also all appropriate signaling information to ensure complete movement of the data from point A to point B. To avoid loss of data, a bus must include a means of controlling the flow of data between two devices, in order to insure that both devices are ready to send and/or receive information. Finally, both ends must understand the speed with which data is to be exchanged. A bus provides for all of these elements, and it includes a port definition to allow physical interfacing or connecting of two or more devices.
DXF	Data Exchange File	A two-dimensional graphics file format supported by virtually all PC -based CAD products. It was created by AutoDesk for the AutoCAD system.
	Data message	A message included in the GPS signal which reports the satellite's location, clock corrections and health. Included is rough information on the other satellites in the constellation.
	Data Packet	Information about a vehicle or group of vehicles, or other non-voice data, transmitted via communication conduits (cellular, Internet, etc.) to the fleet management system computer.
DB	Database	Is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.
dBm	Decibel with Respect to One Milliwatt	A measure of power, equal to ten times the logarithm (base ten) of the power in milliwatts. Power in dBm = power in dBW + 30.
dBW	Decibel with Respect to One Watt	A measure of power, equal to ten times the logarithm (base ten) of the power in watts. Power in dBW = power in dBm - 30
dB-HZ	Decibel-Hertz	A log-ratio powers: equal to ten times the logarithm (base ten) of the ratio of signal power to the noise power in one Hertz of bandwidth. Power in dBm = power in dBW + 30.
	Differential GPS	Using data from at least four (4) GPS signals, this method of GPS corrects for a designed random error to achieve a more precise location, usually within 2 meters. This system utilizes a fourth location signal from land based signal towers maintained by the US Coast Guard to enhance the accuracy of GPS for navigation on the waterways.
	Differential positioning	Accurate measurement of the relative positions of two receivers tracking the same GPS signals.
DIG	Digital	Technology that converts signals (including voice) into the binary digits ‘0’ and ‘1’. This data is compressed, and then transformed into electronic pulses for a wired network, optical light waves for fiber optic networks or radio waves for wireless networks. Digital wireless technology is rapidly replacing analog, because digital offers better sound quality, more secure signals, more callers per cell site and faster data services.
DSP	Digital Signal Processing	A specialized microprocessor that performs Digital Signal Processing functions on a data stream. Used for improving the accuracy and reliability of digital communications. DSP works by clarifying, or standardizing, the levels or states of a digital signal. A DSP circuit is able to differentiate between human-made signals, which are orderly, and noise, which is inherently chaotic.
	Dilution of Precision	The multiplicative factor that modifies ranging error. It is caused solely by the geometry between the user and his set of satellites. Known as DOP or GDOP.
	Dithering	The introduction of digital noise. This is the process the DoD uses to add inaccuracy to GPS signals to induce Selective Availability.
DNS	Domain Name System	Though IP addresses allow computers and routers to identify each other efficiently, humans prefer to work with names rather than numbers. The Domain Name System - DNS - supports the best of both worlds. DNS is a hierarchical system. DNS organizes all registered names in a tree structure.
	Doppler Shift	The apparent change in the frequency of a signal caused by the relative motion of the transmitter and receiver
	Doppler-aiding	A signal processing strategy that uses a measured Doppler shift to help the receiver smoothly tracks the GPS signal. Allows more precise velocity and position measurement.
	Drive Test	A test of the performance of a wireless network, device, or service, performed from a vehicle traveling within the network area.
	Dual Band or Dual Mode	A wireless handset that works on 800 MHz frequencies and 1900 MHz PCS frequencies (both analog & digital networks).
	Dynamic IP	A dynamic IP address is a TCP/IP protocol address which is assigned on the spot when you "dial in" to your dialup, cable modem, DSL, or other Internet service provider. Unlike a static IP address that will be the same every time the user logs on, a dynamic IP address is different every time. If your ISP provides dynamic IP address service, you can expect your IP address to change each time you reconnect.
	E911 Phase II Mandate	A requirement issued by the US Federal Communications Commission for wireless service providers to offer location-fixing capabilities (also known as ALI Automatic Location Information) to support emergency '911' calling on their networks.
ESN	Electronic Serial Number	The unique serial identification number programmed into a wireless phone by the manufacturer. Each time a call is placed, the ESN is transmitted to a nearby base station so the wireless carrier can validate the call. The ESN differs from the Mobile Identification Number, which identifies a customer’s cellular phone number. MINs and ESNs are electronically monitored to help prevent fraud.
ECU	Engine Control Unit	Also known as an Engine Control Module (ECM) or Power train Control Unit/Module (PCU, PCM) if it controls both an engine and a transmission, is an electronic control unit which controls various aspects of an internal combustion engine's operation. The simplest ECUs simply control the quantity of fuel injected into each cylinder each engine cycle. More advanced ECUs found on most modern cars also control the ignition timing, Variable Cam Timing (VCT), the level of boost maintained by the turbocharger (in turbocharged cars), and control other peripherals.
E-911	Enhanced 911	Based on a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate, all cellular phones built after October 1, 2001 must be equipped to identify the caller's location at the 911 Call Center.
EDGE	Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution	A technology that increases a network's efficiency, allowing transmissions speeds of up to 384 Kbps.
E-OTD	Enhanced Observed Time Difference	A positioning technology that uses the cellular signals themselves to determine location. It compares the difference between the time of arrival of the cellular signal at the handset, and at a nearby fixed receiver. Time differences from at least three non-collinear cell-towers are required to be able to compute position. When a position can be obtained, accuracy is of the order of 150m to 300m.
ESMR	Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio	A single wireless device which combines a two-way radio, phone, mobile dispatch, radio paging and Mobile data capabilities, and operates on digital networks. Usually refers to Nextel Communications.
	Ephemeris	A set of satellite orbit parameters used by GPS receivers to calculate the precise GPS satellite position and velocity. Ephemeris is used in the determination of the navigation solution and is periodically updated by the satellites to maintain its accuracy.
	Ethernet	Ethernet is a family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). The name comes from the physical concept of the ether. It defines a number of wiring and signaling standards for the Physical Layer of the OSI networking model, through means of network access at the Media Access Control (MAC)/Data Link Layer, and a common addressing format. Ethernet is standardized as IEEE 802.3. The combination of the twisted pair versions of Ethernet for connecting end systems to the network, along with the fiber optic versions for site backbones, is the most widespread wired LAN technology. It has been in use from around 1980[1] to the present, largely replacing competing LAN standards such as token ring, FDDI, and ARCNET.
ETSI	European Telecommunication Standards Institute	A European organization corresponding to the Japanese ARIB under joint Japan-Europe activities related to WCDMA-DS, and plays a major role in 3G standardization efforts.
ECCN	Export Control Classification Number	Is a specific alpha-numeric code that identifies the level of export control for articles, technology and software (collectively, "Items") that are exported from member states of the Wassenaar Arrangement, including the United States. The ECCN classification that applies to any specific Item is determined by referring to a table that is issued by the Wassenaar Arrangement (http://www.wassenaar.org/) or, for the United States, by the Bureau of Industry and Security. See the Export Administration Regulations(EAR), codified at 15 C.F.R. 300 et seq.. The ECCN table contains hundreds of ECCN codes that are organized according to the technical parameters and/or end use of the hardware, software or technology that is being exported.
XML	EXtensible Markup Language	XML is a markup language much like HTML. It was designed to carry data, not to display data. XML tags are not predefined. You must define your own tags. XML is designed to be self-descriptive. XML is a complement to HTML. It is important to understand that XML is not a replacement for HTML. In most web applications, XML is used to transport data, while HTML is used to format and display the data.
	Fast switching channel	A single channel which rapidly samples a number of satellite ranges. "Fast" means that the switching time is sufficiently fast (2 to 5 milliseconds) to recover the data message.
FCC	Federal Communications Commission	The government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications in the United States.
FTP	File Transfer Protocol	Is a network protocol used to transfer data from one computer to another through a network such as the Internet. An FTP client may connect to an FTP server to manipulate files on that server.
	Firmware	Firmware has evolved to mean the programmable content of a hardware device, which can consist of machine language for a microprocessor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device or programmable logic device. Many, though not all, devices have firmware that can be updated after manufacturing. This is usually done electronically in modern systems, however sometimes the storage medium containing the firmware, such as a socketed ROM, must be replaced.
	Fixed IP	Same as Static IP address
FWA	Fixed Wireless Access	Also known as wireless local loop. Fixed wireless refers to wireless devices or systems set in fixed locations, such as an office or home, as opposed to devices mobile devices, such as wireless phones and PDAs. Fixed wireless devices usually derive their power from fixed utilities, as opposed to portable wireless devices that are powered by batteries.
	Flash	Is a modern interactive platform, with a powerful design and animation authoring tool, an object-oriented type-safe dynamic scripting engine, bitmap rendering with antialiasing and sub pixel precision, and advanced video and audio playback features. As long as different browsers are equipped with the necessary plug-ins, Flash animations will look the same. Flash was known as FutureSplash until 1997, when Macromedia Inc. bought the company that developed it.
	Flash Memory	A special type of EEPROM that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks instead of one byte at a time. Many modern PCs have their BIOS stored on a flash memory chip so that it can easily be updated if necessary. Such a BIOS is sometimes called a flash BIOS. Flash memory is also popular in modems because it enables the modem manufacturer to support new protocols as they become standardized. Flash memory is also called flash RAM.
	Fleet Management	The most basic function in all Fleet Management Systems is the vehicle tracking component. This can be GPS or cellular network based.
	Fleet Monitoring	Fleet monitoring is the process of systematically monitoring attributes of fleet vehicles over wireless communication networks and recording the result s as data to be analyzed in real-time or historically on a central computer system.
	Fleet Tracking	Fleet tracking is the process of systematically monitoring attributes of fleet vehicles over wireless communication networks and recording the results as data to be analyzed in real-time or historically on a central computer system.
	Frequency band	A particular range of frequencies.
	Frequency spectrum	The distribution of signal amplitudes as a function of frequency.
	Galileo	Essentially the European version of GPS, this system is currently under development. It will ultimately consist of 21 to 28 satellites in a mid-Earth orbit (MEO) and between 3 and 8 satellites in geosynchronous (GEO) orbit, which may use signals from GPS.
GMLC	Gateway Mobile Location Center	Mobile Location network element defined by 3GPP standards. It acts as the gateway between the location infrastructure and the external world.
GPRS	General Packet Radio Service	Is a standard for wireless communications which runs at speeds up to 115 kilobits per second, compared with current GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) systems' 9.6 kilobits. GPRS supports a wide range of bandwidths, is an efficient use of limited bandwidth and is particularly suited for sending and receiving small bursts of data, such as e-mail and Web browsing, as well as large volumes of data.
	Geocoding	Using latitude and longitude data from the GPS receiver to determine the map location, and (with software) find the exact street address or block address.
	Geofence	Describes a virtual fence in space and is available in 3 modes. Circular Fence: If the target leaves or enters the predefined circular area, then an alert is generated. Polygon Fence: If the target leaves or enters the predefined area, then an alert is generated. Line Fence: If the target crosses the defined line, then an alert is generated.
	Geofencing	Geofencing is a term utilized primarily in the corporate world that refers to the practice of limiting mobile employees to a specific geographic location by tracking their whereabouts via the technology of a global positioning system (GPS). The premise of geofencing is to make sure a company’s mobile employees, or rather those that travel locally or drive company vehicles as part of their job, stay within the boundaries the company deems productive. It is essentially another way for large corporations and businesses to monitor their employees’ actions on the clock.
GIS	Geographic Information Systems	A combination of the geospatial data systems and software designed to support transportation routing and logistics, generally for a municipality or regional area.
GDOP	Geometric Dilution of Precision	Is a GPS term used in geomatics engineering to describe the geometric strength of satellite configuration on GPS accuracy.
GEO	Geostationary Earth Orbit	A communications satellite in orbit 22,282 miles above the equator. At this orbit, it travels at the same speed as the earth's rotation, thus appearing stationary. GEOs are excellent for TV broadcasting, but produce distracting, half-second delays in interactive voice conversations, because of the long round trip from earth and back. LEOs and MEOs, which are closer to the earth, are being deployed for interactive services.
GLL	Global Locate Library	The main portion of the Global Locate Driver Software that runs on the handset host processor. It contains functionality to handle assistance data, provide standards-based interfaces to the wireless network, manage chip communications and control, and compute position. It provides high-level commands for obtaining position fixes and performing continuous, mobile navigation. It interfaces to the hardware interface layer, which contains the platform-dependent code, enabling the GLL to remain 100% portable across platforms.
GLONASS	Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System	A Russian space-based navigation system comparable to the American GPS system, GLONASS is comprised of 21 satellites in 3 orbital planes, with 3 on-orbit spares.
GPRS	General Packet Radio Service	GPRS is a standard for wireless communications which runs at speeds up to 115 kilobits per second, compared with current GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) systems' 9.6 kilobits. It supports a wide range of bandwidths, is an efficient use of limited bandwidth and is particularly suited for sending and receiving small bursts of data, such as e-mail and Web browsing, as well as large volumes of data.
GPS	Global Positioning System	The Global Positioning System is a "constellation" of 24 well-spaced satellites that orbit the Earth and make it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location. The location accuracy is anywhere from 100 (320 feet) to 10 (32 feet) meters for most equipment. Accuracy can be pinpointed to within one (1) meter with special military-approved equipment. GPS equipment is widely used in science and has now become sufficiently low-cost so that almost anyone can own a GPS receiver. The GPS is owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense but is available for general use around the world.
GSM	Global System for Mobile Communications	Is one of the leading digital wireless cellular systems. GSM uses narrowband TDMA, which allows eight simultaneous calls on the same radio frequency. GSM was first introduced in 1991. At the end of 1997, GSM service was available in more than 100 countries and has become the de facto standard in Europe, South Africa, Australia, Asia and many Middle and Far East countries. (Originally short for 'Groupe Spécial Mobile' its technology works similarly to TDMA by dividing wireless calls into time slots. But, GSM phones from the United States are not compatible with international GSM phones because they operate on different frequencies.)
	GPS Aiding	The process of providing additional remote processing or GPS satellite data to support a mobile device in fixing a location using GPS data.
	Handoff	The process when a wireless network automatically switches a mobile call to an adjacent cell site with a stronger signal.
	Hard over word	The word in the GPS message that contains synchronization information for the transfer of tracking from the C/A to P code.
Hz	Hertz	A measure of electromagnetic energy, equivalent to one “wave” or cycle per second.
HSDPA	High Speed Downlink Packet Access	Is a packet based data service feature of the WCDMA standard which provides a downlink with data transmission up to 8-10 Mbps (and 20 Mbps for MIMO systems) over a 5MHz bandwidth in WCDMA down link. The high speeds of HSDPA are achieved through techniques including; 16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, variable error coding, and incremental redundancy. HSDPA is a technology upgrade to current UMTS networks.
	i-mode	A wireless service launched in Japan in spring 1999 by NTT DoCoMo. The service is accessed by a wireless packet network (PDC-P) and the contents are described in a subset of the HTML language.
I&Q	In Phase & Quadrature	Two channels in a GPS receiver, containing signals generated by down-converting with sine and cosine waveforms.
IP67	Ingress Protected 67	AN Ingress (I) Protected (P) number is used to specify the environmental protection of enclosures around electronic equipment. These ratings are determined by specific tests. The IP number is composed of two numbers, the first referring to the protection against solid objects and the second against liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection. Protection level offered by an IP 67 rated protected product: 6= Totally protected against dust & 7= Protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m.
IDEN	Integrated Digital Enhanced Network	A specialized mobile technology that combines two-way radio, telephone, text messaging and data transmission into one digital network. IDEN is designed to give users quick access to information on a single device. Introduced by Motorola and used exclusively by Nextel Communications.
IDEN	Integrated Digital Enhanced Network	A time division duplex--based wireless communication system developed by Motorola. The system features voice and data communication as well as push-to-talk dispatch features. IDEN is used by Tier 1 Carrier in the US.
ITS	Intelligent Transportation Systems	A general term for many technology systems used in highway, rail and other transit to improve mobility, reduce accidents, and improve transportation overall, i.e., electronic toll collection systems, synchronized traffic signals.
	Interconnection	Connecting one wireless network to another, such as linking a wireless carrier's network with a local exchange network.
IF	Intermediate Frequency	A frequency below RF (Radio Frequency). In a GPS receiver, the RF chip converts the analog RF signal to IF and then converts it to a digital signal that is processed by the base band chip.
IRR	Internal Rate of Return	Is a capital budgeting metric used by firms to decide whether they should make investments. It is an indicator of the efficiency or quality of an investment, as opposed to net present value (NPV), which indicates value or magnitude.
ISO	International Organization for Standardization	ISO, founded in 1947, is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from some 100 countries, with one standards body representing each member country. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), for example, represents the United States. Member organizations collaborate in the development and promotion of international standards. Among the standards the ISO fosters is Open Systems Interconnection (OSI), a universal reference model for communication protocols. (According to ISO, "ISO" is not an abbreviation. It is a word, derived from the Greek isos, meaning "equal", which is the root for the prefix "iso-" that occurs in a host of terms, such as "isometric" (of equal measure or dimensions) and "isonomy" (equality of laws, or of people before the law). The name ISO is used around the world to denote the organization, thus avoiding the assortment of abbreviations that would result from the translation of "International Organization for Standardization" into the different national languages of members. Whatever the country, the short form of the organization's name is always ISO.)
IP	Internet Protocol	IP is the primary network protocol used on the Internet, developed in the 1970s. On the Internet and many other networks, IP is often used together with the Transport Control Protocol (TCP) and referred to interchangeably as TCP/IP.
	Internet Protocol Address	An IP address is a unique address used to locate and identify a device over a network. That device can be an electronic device, a computer, a server, a router or even an IP phone. It is the addressing used for the transmission of data packets over a network working with the IP protocol. Our network routers, Web browsers, email programs, instant messaging software - all rely on IP or other network protocols layered on top of IP.
ISP	Internet Service Provider	An ISP is a company that provides individuals and other companies access to the Internet and other related services such as Web site building and virtual hosting. An ISP has the equipment and the telecommunication line access required to have a point-of-presence on the Internet for the geographic area served. The larger ISPs have their own high-speed leased lines so that they are less dependent on the telecommunication providers and can provide better service to their customers.
	Interoperability	The ability of a network to coordinate and communicate with other networks, such as two systems based on different protocols or technologies.
	Ionosphere	The band of charged particles 80 to 120 miles above Earth's surface.
	Ionospheric refraction	The change in the propagation speed of a signal as it passes through the ionosphere.
	IP Core	The 'intellectual property', usually a silicon design language code, which embodies an application or key capability for a device or integrated circuit. This portable code differs from an actual physical IC (chip) component purchased from a supplier to provide a similar capability.
	Iridium	The Iridium satellite constellation is a system of 66 active communication satellites with spares in orbit and on the ground. It allows worldwide voice and data communications using handheld satellite phones. The Iridium network is unique in that it covers the whole earth, including poles, oceans and airways. The company, based in Bethesda, Maryland, US, derives its name from the chemical element iridium; the number of satellites projected in the early stages of planning was 77, the atomic number of iridium, evoking the metaphor of 77 electrons orbiting the nucleus. The satellites are frequently visible in the night sky as satellite flares – a phenomenon typically observed as short-lived bright flashes of light.
	IS-136 (TDMA)	See TDMA
	IS-95/CDMAOne	A digital mobile telephony standard based on CDMA technology.
	JavaScript	JavaScript, despite the name, is essentially unrelated to the Java programming language. It is a scripting language most often used for client-side web development. It was the originating dialect of the ECMAScript standard. It is a dynamic, weakly typed, prototype-based language with first-class functions. JavaScript was influenced by many languages and was designed to look like Java, but be easier for non-programmers to work with. Although best known for its use in websites (as client-side JavaScript), JavaScript is also used to enable scripting access to objects embedded in other applications.
	L1 Signal	The primary L-band signal transmitted by each GPS satellite at 1572.42 MHz. The L1 broadcast is modulated with the C/A and P-codes and with the navigation message
	L-band	The group of radio frequencies extending from 390 MHz to 1550 MHz. The GPS carrier frequencies (1227.6 MHz and 1575.42 MHz) are in the L band.
LAN	Local Area Network	Is a small data network covering a limited area, such as a building or group of buildings. Most LANs connect workstations or personal computers. This allows many users to share devices, such as laser printers, as well as data. The LAN also allows easy communication, by facilitating e-mail or supporting chat sessions.
LIF	Location Interoperability Forum	Formed by Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia in September 2000 with the mission to define, develop and promote common interfaces allowing interoperability between handsets and networks.
LMU	Location Measurement Unit	Network elements required to support some positioning methods. In cellular networks not synchronized to GPS time (GSM, TDMA, PDC, W-CDMA), LMUs have been proposed to provide precise timing signals to make A-GPS work. Global Locate’s IndoorGPS chips work on these networks, without LMUs, thanks to on-chip massive parallel correlation and Global Locate's patented navigation technologies.
LCS	Location Services	An operator’s LCS infrastructure provides A-GPS functionality to the operator’s network.
LES/LBS	Location-enabled Services	Location-based services. Applies to services provided to or in conjunction with the handset or mobile wireless device, where device location is intrinsic to the service.
LTO	Long-term Orbits	Future satellite ephemeris, computed using Global Locate’s proprietary orbital models and field-proven. From this, future assistance data is generated for use in Enhanced Autonomous Mode.
LEO	Low Earth Orbit	Low earth orbit is only slightly above the Earth, by outer space standards, 200 - 2000 km (124 - 1240 miles) in altitude. Below 124 miles, orbits rapidly degrade, causing surface impact, and above 1,240 miles or even less, the Earth's radiation belts damage electronic equipment, necessitating special shielding. The region from 1,243 miles altitude to geostationary orbit (35,786 kilometers or 22,236 mi) is known as Medium Earth Orbit. Low earth orbit, medium earth orbit, and geostationary orbit are known as LEO, MEO, and GSO respectively. By comparison, the Moon orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 384,399 km (238,854 mi), putting GSO at about 10% of the way to the Moon. Low earth orbit is only about 1% of the way to the Moon.
LNA	Low Noise Amplifier	Analog radio amplifier, used as the first stage in a GPS front-end. The Global Locate, GL-LN22 RF chip contains an integrated LNA on-chip.
MTA	Major Trading Area	A Personal Communications Services area designed by Rand McNally and adopted by the FCC. MTAs are usually several neighboring basic trading areas (BTA’s). There are 51 MTAs in the United States.
	Massive Parallel Correlation	Performing many correlations at the same time. Traditional GPS receivers have two correlators per channel, and these correlators are used, sequentially, to search over the possible correlation delays to find the signal correlation peak. Massive parallel correlation, by contrast, uses up to 2046 correlators per channel, to search all possible correlation delays simultaneously.
MEO	Medium Earth Orbit	A medium earth orbit satellite (MEO) is a satellite that orbits the earth in between Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEO), which orbit the earth at a distance from the earth of about 200-930 miles (321.87-1496.69 km) and those satellites which orbit the earth at geostationary orbit, about 22,300 miles (35,888.71 km) above earth. Each type of satellite can provide a different type of coverage for communications and wireless devices. Like LEOs, medium earth orbit satellites don’t maintain a stationary distance from the earth. This is in contrast to the geostationary orbit, where satellites are always approximately 22,300 miles from the earth.
MB	Megabyte	1,000,000 or 1,048,576 bytes, depending on the context
MHz	Megahertz	Megahertz is a unit of frequency equal to one million hertz or cycles per second. Wireless mobile communications within the United States occur in the 800 MHz, 900MHz and 1900MHz bands.
	Memory Buffer	Is an area of memory used for temporary storage of data when a program or hardware device needs an uninterrupted flow of information. Buffers are typically created in Random Access Memory (RAM) rather than on the hard disk, as fetching data from RAM is faster than retrieving it from the platter technology used in conventional hard drives. Some hardware devices come with their own on-board RAM or buffer, as in the case of printers.
MSA	Metropolitan Statistical Area	One of the 306 largest urban markets as designated by the U.S. government, based on population. At least two wireless operators are licensed in each MSA.
MIPS	Millions of Instructions Per Second	A rating of speed and power, MIPS describes a digital signal’s processing capabilities. It roughly measures the number of machine instructions a device can execute in one second. However, due to a lack of standards for measuring MIPS and differences in applications, it is not always an accurate measure of speed.
mW-s	Milliwatt-second	A measure of energy equal to one Milliwatt of power for one second, also equal to one mill joule.
MIN	Mobile Identification Number	The MIN, more commonly known as a wireless phone number, uniquely identifies a wireless device within a wireless carrier's network. The MIN is dialed from other wireless or wire line networks to direct a signal to a specific wireless device. The number differs from the electronic serial number, which is the unit number assigned by a phone manufacturer. MINs and ESNs can be electronically checked to help prevent fraud.
MRM	Mobile Resource Management	Internet services and applications that leverage on-demand GPS, wireless capabilities, transaction process, and software to maximize the productivity of mobile workforces.
MSA	Mobile Station	Refers to the handset or mobile wireless device in a C-plane architecture.
MTSO	Mobile Telephone Switching Office	The central computer that connects wireless phone calls to the public telephone network. The MTSO controls the series of operations required to complete wireless calls, including verifying calls, billing and antenna handoffs.
	Multi-channel receiver	A GPS receiver that can simultaneously track more than one satellite signal.
	Multipath error	Errors caused by the interference of a signal that has reached the receiver antenna by two or more different paths. Usually caused by one path being bounced or reflected.
	Navigation Data Bits	The data that is broadcast by the GPS satellites. This data contains information that tells GPS receivers the satellite locations, velocities, and clock offsets. The broadcast data rate is 50 bits per second.
NAVSTAR	Navistar Global Positioning System	The Navistar Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based constellation of orbiting satellites providing navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world. This system is maintained by the U.S. Military and provides the foundation for almost all commercial GPS systems in use in the United States.
	Network Operators	The companies that own and operate the cellular networks. Also known as “Carriers”.
	Non-collinear	Relating to cell-towers: towers are non-collinear if they do not lie along the same straight line.
NAM	Number Assignment Module	The NAM is the electronic memory bank in the wireless phone that stores its specific telephone number and electronic serial number.
OTDIA	Observed Time Difference of Arrival	Network based positioning method for UMTS in which the mobile measures the pilot signal time difference between three base stations. Similar to 2G E-OTD.
1xRTT	One times Radio Transmission Technology	Short for single carrier (1x) radio transmission technology, a 3G wireless technology based on the CDMA platform. 1xRTT has the capability of providing ISDN-like speeds of up to 144 Kbps.
OEM	Original Equipment Manufacturer	Typically a company that uses a component made by a second company in its own product, or sells the product of the second company under its own brand. The specific meaning of the term varies in different contexts by industry.
	Original Equipment Manufacturer Telematics	OEM telematics refers to application based on embedded telematics hardware that is installed at the factory by the vehicle company and is generally integrated into the vehicle data bus. Common examples of OEM telematics are remote engine diagnostics, and theft alerts.
	Packet	A piece of data sent over a packet-switching network, such as the Internet. A packet includes not just data but also address information about its origination and destination.
	Packet Data	Information that is reduced into digital pieces or ‘packets’ of bytes, so it can travel more efficiently across radio airwaves and wireless networks.
PCS	Personal Communications Services	A two-way digital voice, messaging and data service, which operates in the 1900 MHz band. Considered the ‘second generation’ of wireless services.
PCS	Personal Communications Services	Used to describe a newer class of wireless communications services recently authorized by the FCC (also known as high-band). PCS systems use a different radio frequency (the 1.x GHz band) than cellular phones, and generally use all-digital technology for transmission and reception.
PDA	Personal Digital Assistant	A hand-held mobile device used for data storage and recording. Also known as a Personal Information Manager, PIM. It can be equipped with applications such as calendars, notepads, address books, e-mail and Internet access capabilities.
PDC	Personal Digital Cellular	A second-generation technology used in digital cellular telephone communication in Japan. It uses a variation of TDMA. Other technologies used are CDMA & GSM. In 1999, 12% off the world’s cell-phones were PDC (source: EMC World Cellular Database).
PHS	Personal Handy Phone System	A digitalized evolution of the earlier analog cordless phone concept which enables outdoor use as well. PHS incorporates a unique Japanese standard which melds the advantages of the European DECT and CT2. The system operates in the 1.9 GHz band.
PIN	Personal Identification Number	An additional security feature for wireless phones, much like a password. Programming a PIN into the Subscriber Information Module (SIM) on a wireless phone requires the user to enter that access code each time the phone is turned on.
POP	Persons of Population or Point of Presence	For wireless, Persons of Population refers to the number of people in a specific area where wireless services are available. For traditional ‘landline’ communications, Point of Presence defines the interconnection point between the two networks.
	Ping	A vehicle status update request, available only with fleet management systems offering active/real-time vehicle location capability.
	Plug-in	A software add-on that is installed onto a program, enabling it to perform additional features. For example, Internet browsers allow users to install plug-ins into the browser. Depending on the type of plug-in that is required on a website depends on from where the plug-in is going to be downloaded. Macromedia Flash and Sun Java are both examples of plug-ins and are each downloaded from their own web sites. Often a web site that requires a plug-in will have a link to the appropriate plug-in site that contains the download for the plug-in.
PCF	Position Computation Function	The element of the wireless network infrastructure that contains the functionality needed to compute the position of the mobile device.
PDE	Position Determining Entity	Network element (specified in ANSI standards) responsible for providing A-GPS assistance data, and for computing positions of mobile phones.
P-code	Precise Code	A very long sequence of pseudo random binary biphase modulations on the GPS carrier at a chip rate of 10.23 MHz which repeats about every 267 days. Each one week segment of this code is unique to one GPS satellite and is reset each week.
PPS	Precise Positioning Service	The most accurate dynamic positioning possible with standard GPS, based on the dual frequency P-code and no SA.
PSG	Professional Services Group	Supports customers on a variety of technical and project management needs
	Pseudo random code	A signal with random noise-like properties. It is a very complicated but repeating pattern of 1's and O's.
	Pseudolite	A ground-based differential GPS receiver which transmits a signal like that of an actual GPS satellite, and can be used for ranging.
PN-code	Pseudo-Random Noise Code	A binary code (sequence of "1"s and "0"s) that exhibits noise-like properties in its power spectral density. Used in the GPS system to provide a unique binary code for each satellite's encoded signal.
	Pseudorange	A distance measurement based on the correlation of a satellite transmitted code and the local receiver's reference code, that has not been corrected for errors in synchronization between the transmitter's clock and the receiver's clock.
	Pseudoranges	Preliminary, uncorrected estimates of the distance from a receiver to a given GPS satellite.
RB	Radio Beacon	RADIO BEACON acts as the hub of your supply chain solution, integrating accounting/order and shipping software systems, electronic data interchange (EDI) systems, Crystal Reports software, radio frequency and barcode hardware, and warehouse automation equipment.
RF	Radio Frequency	Frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum normally associated with transmission radio waves. Sometimes used to distinguish communication by wireless technologies, as opposed to transmission via wire.
RFID	Radio-frequency identification	Is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.
RAM	Random Access Memory	Random access memory or RAM most commonly refers to computer chips that temporarily store dynamic data to enhance computer performance. By storing frequently used or active files in random access memory, the computer can access the data faster than if it to retrieve it from the far-larger hard drive. Random access memory is also used in printers and other devices.
	Random Error Code	This is a designed error for commercial GPS systems and was set up in 1982 when the U.S. Military was instructed by Congress to make GPS available for commercial use. The error is intended to prevent the Navistar System from being used accurately against the U.S. Military. In 2000 the error was reduced from 100 meters to approximately 9 meters. Differential GPS, maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, corrects this intentionally designed random error.
RSS	Really Simple Syndication	RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format.
	Repeater	Devices that receive a radio signal, amplify it and re-transmit it in a new direction. Used in wireless networks to extend the range of base station signals and to expand coverage. Repeaters are typically used in buildings, tunnels or difficult terrain.
RFD	Request for Deviation	A form used for approval of requested price deviation.
ROI	Return on Investment	A measure of a corporation's profitability, equal to a fiscal year's income divided by common stock and preferred stock equity plus long-term debt. ROI measures how effectively the firm uses its capital to generate profit; the higher the ROI, the better.
	Roaming	When traveling outside their carrier's local area, roaming allows users the ability to move from one carrier’s coverage area to another, without interruption in service or dropped calls.
RSA	Rural Service Area	One of the 428 rural markets across the United States, as designated by the FCC.
	Satellite constellation	The arrangement in space of a set of satellites.
SD Memory	Secure Digital Memory	Is a non-volatile memory card format developed by Matsushita, SanDisk, and Toshiba for use in portable devices. Today it is widely used in digital cameras, handheld computers, PDAs, mobile phones, GPS receivers, and video game consoles. Standard SD card capacities range from 4 MB to 8 GB, and for high capacity SDHC cards from 4 GB to 64 GB as of 2008.
SUPL	Secure User Plane Location	Standards for using U-plane architecture to implement LCS infrastructure.
	Selective Availability	Prior to May 2000, the US military intentionally degraded the accuracy of GPS signal data for civil and commercial purposes as a protective measure. The Department of Defense retains the right to restrict signal accuracy in the interest of US national defense.
SMLC	Serving Mobile Location Center	The SMLC is a network element defined by 3GPP (ETSI) standards. It manages the overall coordination and scheduling of resources to perform positioning of a mobile phone.
SMS	Short Message Service	Is a communications protocol allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices. SMS or "text messaging" is a convenient way to send brief text message directly to a friend’s mobile phone, smart phone or PDA. A text message can be up to 160 characters (224 characters if using a 5-bit mode) long or about 25 words.
SNR	Signal-to-Noise Ratio	A measure of the ratio of signal power versus noise power usually expressed in dB. Lower ratios mean there is more noise relative to signal.
	Silverlight	Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform, and cross-device plug-in for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.
	Smart Antenna	A wireless antenna with technology that focuses its signal in a specific direction. Wireless networks use smart antennas to reduce the number of dropped calls, and to improve call quality and channel capacity.
	Smart Phone	Wireless phones with advanced data features and often keyboards. What makes the phone "smart" is its ability to manage and transmit data in addition to voice calls.
	Spectrum Allocation	Process whereby the federal government designates frequencies for specific uses, such as personal communications services and public safety. Allocation is typically accomplished through lengthy FCC proceedings, which attempt to accommodate changes in spectrum demand and usage.
	Spectrum Assignment	Federal government authorization for the use of specific frequencies within a given spectrum allocation, usually in a specific geographic location. Mobile communications assignments are granted to both private users such as businesses, and commercial providers such as wireless and paging operators. Spectrum auctions and/or frequency coordination processes, which consider potential interference to existing users, may apply. A method of transmitting a radio signal by spreading it over a wide range of frequencies. This reduces interference and can increase the number of users on one radio frequency band.
	Static IP	A static IP address is where a computer uses the same address every time a user logs on to a network, such as the Internet. With a static IP address, a computer's identity can be easily identified by others, and users can easily connect with it. That way, for example, a website, email server, or other type of server connection can be hosted. Many people want to have a static IP address, but when the Internet was first conceived, the architects didn't foresee the need for an unlimited number of IP addresses. Consequently, there are not enough IP numbers to go around.
SLP	SUPL Location Platform	For U-plane architectures, the SUPL server is the counterpart to the SMLC in C-plane architectures. Manages LCS client requests, and interacts with the handset to obtain its location.
	Telematics	The integrated use of telecommunications and informatics, also known as ICT (Information and Communications Technology). More specifically it is the science of sending, receiving and storing information via telecommunication devices. More recently, telematics have been applied specifically to the use of Global Positioning System technology integrated with computers and mobile communications technology in automotive navigation systems.
	Telematics M2M	Involves integrated wireless communication and (usually) location tracking devices with supporting applications into automobiles for remote engine diagnostics, stolen vehicle surveillance.
	Telematics Network Operator	Manages wireless telecommunications network specializing in telematics solutions as a productized service for customers.
	Telemetry	Is a technology that allows the remote measurement and reporting of information of interest to the system designer or operator. The word is derived from Greek roots tele = remote, and metron = measure. Systems that need instructions and data sent to them in order to operate require the counterpart of telemetry, telecommand.
TCXO	Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator	Provides accurate frequency reference in mobile wireless devices.
	Thin Client	In client-server systems, a client that requires only minimal hardware / software resources to communicate with the server and perform its designed tasks.
3G	Third Generation	A general term that refers to increased capacity and high-speed data (up to 2 megabits) via digital wireless networks.
TDMA	Time Division Multiple Access (IS 136)	Is a technology for delivering digital wireless service using time-division multiplexing (TDM). TDMA works by dividing a radio frequency into time slots and then allocating slots to multiple calls. In this way, a single frequency can support multiple, simultaneous data channels. TDMA is used by the GSM digital cellular system.
TDM	Time Division Multiplexing	Time Division Multiplexing, a scheme in which numerous signals are combined for transmission on a single communications line or channel. Each signal is broken into many segments, each having very short duration.
TOA	Time of Arrival	Network based positioning method that measures the time it takes for radio signals to arrive at multiple points.
TTFF	Time-to-first-fix	The time required for the A-GPS receiver to perform its first location fix. This usually applies to the push-to-fix request made for E911/E112 or LES/LBS applications. For mobile navigation, it usually refers to the starting position fix.
	TR45	Committee that operates under the guidelines of the Telecommunications Industry Association. TR-45 deals specifically with issues relating to performance, compatibility, inter-operability and service standards for mobile and personal communications systems.
	Tri-Model Handset	Phones that work on multiple frequencies, typically in the 1900 MHz and 800 MHz digital, or the 800 MHz analog frequencies.
UTRAN	UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network	A conceptual term identifying that part of the network which consists of Radio Network Controllers and Node Base stations.
UMTS	Universal Mobile Telecommunications System	Is a 3G mobile technology that delivers broadband information at speeds up to 2Mbit s/sec. Besides voice and data, UMTS will deliver audio and video to wireless devices anywhere in the world through fixed, wireless and satellite systems.
USB Host	Universal Serial Bus Host	USB devices can be connected to the computer either directly through the USB port on the back of the computer or through a USB hub. The Universal Serial Bus connects USB devices with the USB host. There is only one host on any USB system. The USB interface to the host computer system is referred to as the host controller. The host PC and USB hub each contain a USB controller. This controller is typically mounted on the PC motherboard, on a PCI add-in card or on the hub itself. The controller's function is to manage the USB devices on the serial bus and to help reduce the load on the computer CPU.
UTC	Universal Time Coordinated	An international, highly accurate and stable uniform atomic time system kept very close, by offsets, to the universal time corrected for seasonal variations in the earth's rotation rate. Maintained by the U.S. Naval Observatory. GPS time is directly relatable to UTC: UTC-GPS = seconds. (The changing constant = 13 seconds in 2001.)
UE	User Equipment	Refers to the handset or mobile wireless device in a SUPL-based system.
U-Plane	User Plane	Refers to the LCS architecture and method of using a data bearer (e.g., GPRS) to provide assistance data to the handset and return location responses from the handset. Because the location data is not directly associated with the voice call, U-plane is not used for E911/E112 services, but is instead used for LES/LBS applications.
	Vehicle Tracking	Is the use of wireless technologies to monitor the location and condition of commercial and private vehicle.
VPN	Virtual Private Network	Using encryption and other security methods, a network that prevents information from being intercepted and guarantees that only authorized users can access the network.
	Voice Recognition	The capability for wireless phones, computers and other devices to be activated and controlled by voice commands.
VCO	Voltage Controlled Oscillator	An oscillator with frequency output proportional to a control voltage. This component is commonly used in cellular handsets.
	Waypoint	Waypoints are sets of coordinates that identify a point in physical space. GPS systems are increasingly used to create and use waypoints in navigation of all kinds. A typical GPS receiver can locate a waypoint with an accuracy of three meters or better when used with land-based assisting technologies such as the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). Waypoints can also be marked on a computer mapping program and uploaded to the GPS receiver, marked on the receiver's own internal map, or entered manually on the device as a pair of coordinates.
WAN	Wide Area Network	A T1, T3, broadband, or other network covering an area generally larger than a city or metropolitan area network.
W-CDMA	Wideband Code Division Multiple Access	Radio access technology used in UMTS/3G. 3GPP is the standardization body for W-CDMA.
WEP	Wired Equivalent Privacy	A security protocol for wireless local area networks (WLANs) defined in the 802.11b standard. WEP is designed to provide the same level of security as that of a wired LAN. LANs are inherently more secure than WLANs because LANs are somewhat protected by the physicality’s of their structure, having some or all part of the network inside a building that can be protected from unauthorized access. WLANs, which are over radio waves, do not have the same physical structure and therefore are more vulnerable to tampering. WEP aims to provide security by encrypting data over radio waves so that it is protected as it is transmitted from one end point to another. However, it has been found that WEP is not as secure as once believed. WEP is used at the two lowest layers of the OSI model - the data link and physical layers; it therefore does not offer end-to-end security.
	Wireless	General term for using radio-frequency spectrum for transmitting and receiving voice, data and video communications.
WAP	Wireless Application Protocol	Wireless Application Protocol is a set of standards that enables wireless devices, such as phones, pagers and palm devices, to browse content from specially-coded Web pages.
WAP	Wireless Application Protocol	A technology designed to provide users of mobile terminal with rapid and efficient access to the Internet.
Wi-Fi	Wireless Fidelity	Wi-Fi is the industry name for wireless LAN (WLAN) communication technology related to the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless networking standards. To some, the term Wi-Fi is synonymous with 802.11b, as 802.11b was the first standard in that family to enjoy widespread popularity. Today, however, Wi-Fi can refer to any of the established standards: 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n.
WIT	Wireless Information Technology	The monitoring, managing and troubleshooting of computer equipment throughout a wireless network.
	Wireless Internet	A general term for using wireless services to access the Internet, e-mail and/or the World Wide Web.
WLAN	Wireless Local Area Network	Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data wirelessly in a certain area. This allows users in a small zone to transmit data and share resources, such as printers, without physically connecting each computer with cords or wires.
WLL	Wireless Local Loop	WLL is a system that connects wireless users to the public switch telephone network (PSTN) using wireless technology and other circuitry to complete the "last mile" between the wireless user and the exchange equipment. Wireless systems can often be installed faster and cheaper than traditional wired systems.
WPBX	Wireless Private Branch Exchange	Equipment that allows employees or customers within a building or limited area to use wireless devices in place of traditional landline phones. Instead of contracting with a commercial wireless carrier, the company would provide service and support for all the wireless devices in their area.
WGS-84	World Geodetic System 1984	The mathematical ellipsoid used by GPS since January, 1987.
WWRN	Worldwide Reference Network™	The Global Locate network of reference stations that, together with data processing hubs, provide the GPS satellite orbits.

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