Common Wireless Terms
Some of the helpful terms to know in the wireless industry:
3GPP: The 3rd Generation Partnership Project, a global collaboration between telecommunications associations that develops standards for mobile networks.
5G: The fifth generation of mobile network technology, characterized by faster speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity compared to 4G.
Access Point (AP): A device that allows wireless devices to connect to the network (Internet).
Backhaul: The transportation of data between a wireless network and the core Internet.
Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time.
Beamforming: A technique that uses multiple antennas to focus the wireless signal in a specific direction, increasing the range and capacity of a network.
CBRS: (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) is a set of frequencies in the 3.5 GHz band that has been set aside by the FCC for shared use by different types of users, including commercial, industrial, and government entities, providing a balance of coverage and capacity.
Channel: A specific frequency or frequency range within a frequency band that is used for wireless communication.
Core Internet: The backbone infrastructure of the Internet, consisting of high-speed, high-capacity links that connect major networks and data centers.
DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a network protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices.
Encryption: The process of converting plain text into a coded form to protect data from unauthorized access.
Fiber: A technology that uses glass or plastic threads (fibers) to transmit data. Fiber optic cables have a much higher capacity than traditional copper cables.
Firewall: A security system that controls access to a network or device.
Frequency Band: A range of radio frequencies that are used for wireless communication.
Interference: Any unwanted signal that disrupts the normal operation of a wireless network.
IoT: Internet of Things, a network of devices connected to the Internet that can collect and share data, such as smart home devices, industrial sensors, and wearable technology.
IP Address: A unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a network.
LAN: Local Area Network, a network that connects devices in a small geographic area, such as a home or office.
Latency: The delay between the time a packet is sent and the time it is received.
MAC Address: A unique hardware address assigned to each device on a network.
Mesh Network: A network in which each device acts as a relay, allowing other devices to connect to the network through it.
MIMO: Multiple Input, Multiple Output, a technology that uses multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve wireless performance.
NAT: Network Address Translation, a technique used to map private IP addresses to public IP addresses.
Repeater: A device that amplifies and retransmits a wireless signal to extend the range of a network.
Roaming: The ability of a device to move between different wireless networks while maintaining a connection.
Router: A device that connects multiple networks together and directs traffic between them.
Signal Strength: The power of a wireless signal, usually measured in decibels (dBm).
Small cell: A low-power wireless access point that is used to increase the capacity of a network in a specific area, such as a city or campus.
SSID: Service Set Identifier, a unique name assigned to a wireless network.
VPN: Virtual Private Network, a method of creating a secure, encrypted connection between two devices over a public network.
WAN: Wide Area Network, a network that connects devices in a larger geographic area, such as a city or country.
WiFi: A wireless local area network (WLAN) technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections.
Wireless Network: A network that allows devices to connect and communicate without the use of physical cables.
