Specifications

Chapter 21 – CDMA Terminology and Acronyms
122 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. CDMA C1 AT Commands Reference Guide
This is an alphabetical list of the CDMA cellular industry’s terminology and acronyms.
2G Second Generation. This is an all digital cellular systems developed to replace the first
analog cellular systems. (GSM and CDMA).
3G Third Generation. This is the next generation digital cellular systems designed to have high-
speed data access and higher voice capacity (WCDMA & CDMA2000).
AFLT Advanced Forward Link Trilateration. A type of handset-based position location technology.
GPS satellites are not used to determine location. To determine location using AFLT, the
phone takes measurements of signals from nearby cellular base stations (towers) and
reports the time/distance readings back to the network, which are then used to triangulate
an approximate location of the handset. In general, at least three surrounding base stations
are required to get an optimal position fix.
CDMA CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). CDMA is a spread spectrum, digital cellular
modulation scheme for cellular communications systems. It has approximately 3 times the
voice capacity of GSM networks. See IS-95, IS95A, IS-95B, IS-2000.
cdmaONE A brand name, trademarked and reserved for the exclusive use of the CDMA Development
Group (see their Web site at cdg.org). cdmaOne describes a complete cellular system that
incorporates the IS-95 CDMA air interface, the ANSI-41 network standard for switch
interconnection and many other standards that make up a complete cellular system.
cdma2000 cdma2000 is a third generation (3G) cellular system. It contains a significant increase in
voice capacity and high-speed data rates. It is backward compatible with IS-95B and IS-95A.
cdma2000 1xRTT "1xRTT" stands for 1 times Radio Transmission Technology and is used to identify the
version of CDMA2000 radio technology that operates in a pair of 1.25-MHz radio channels
(one times 1.25 MHz, as opposed to three times 1.25 MHz in 3xRTT). Although theoretically
capable of higher data rates, most carrier implementations have limited the peak data rate
to 144 kbit/s. While 1xRTT officially qualifies as 3G technology, 1xRTT is considered by some
to be a 2.5G.
DCE Data Communications Equipment. This is the modem in the traditional serial
communication paradigm of a computer connected via two modems to another computer.
DTE Data Terminal Equipment. This is the computer in the traditional serial communication
paradigm of a computer connected via two modems to another computer.
DTMF Dual Tone Multi-Frequency: A pre-defined set of tones sent over the air when keys are
pressed on the keypad.
ESN "ESN" stands for Electronic Serial Number. It is a 32-bit binary number that identifies each
cellular phone.
Handset (Path) Handset (Path). This is the audio path (microphone & speaker) that connects to a traditional
hand held telephone receiver, usually dual balanced electrical lines.
Headset (Path) Headset (Path). This is the audio path (microphone & speaker) that connects to an earpiece
with a microphone, usually single electrical lines.
IMSI International Mobile Station IS. This is an international 15 digital phone number that
uniquely identifies a mobile. IMSI=MCC + MNC + MIN.
IOTA IOTA stands for Internet Over The Air.