Specifications

Glossary
Address
A coded representation of the origin or destination of data.
Analog
A continuous wave or signal (such as human voice).
AWG
The American Wire Gauge System, which specifies wire width.
Balanced
A transmission line in which voltages on the two conductors are
equal in magnitude, but opposite in polarity, with respect to
ground.
Bus
A transmission path or channel. A bus is typically an electrical
connection with one or more conductors, where all attached
devices receive all transmissions at the same time.
Carrier
A continuous signal at a fixed frequency that is capable of being
modulated with a second (information carrying) signal.
Channel
A path for electrical transmission between two or more points.
Also called a link, line, circuit or facility.
Data
Information represented in digital form, including voice, text,
facsimile and video.
Digital
The binary (“1” or “0”) output of a computer or terminal. In data
communications, an alternating, non-continuous (pulsating) signal.
DSL (Digital Subscriber
Line)
A family of technologies for bringing broadband information (data
and voice) to residential and business customers over the copper
wires of a local telephone network. DSL technology provides
extended range digital data transmission. Data rates (download
and upload speeds) vary according to the distance from the
central office, DSL technology, line conditions, and the service
level implemented. Common DSL technologies include ADSL, VDSL,
SHDSL, and G.SHDSL.bis.
E3
The European standard for high speed digital transmission,
operating at 34 Mbps.
Flow Control
A congestion control mechanism that results in an ATM system
implementing flow control.
FXO (Foreign Exchange
Office)
A voice interface, emulating a PBX extension, as it appears to the
CO (Central Office) for connecting a PBX extension to a
multiplexer.
FXS (Foreign Exchange
Subscriber)
A voice interface, emulating the extension interface of a PBX (or
subscriber interface of a CO) for connecting a regular telephone
set to a multiplexer.
Interface
A shared boundary, defined by common physical interconnection
characteristics, signal characteristics, and meanings of exchanged