Specifications

Glossary
Address
A coded representation of the origin or destination of data.
AIS (Alarm Indication
Signal)
One of the OAM function types used for fault management (see also
CC).
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.
Bandwidth
The range of frequencies passing through a given circuit. The greater
the bandwidth, the more information can be sent through the circuit
in a given amount of time.
Bipolar
Signaling method in E3/T3 representing a binary “1” by alternating
positive and negative pulses, and a binary “0” by absence of pulses.
Bit
The smallest unit of information in a binary system. Represents
either a one or zero (“1” or “0”).
Bridge
A device interconnecting local area networks at the OSI data link
layer, filtering and forwarding frames according to media access
control (MAC) addresses.
Buffer
A storage device. Commonly used to compensate for differences in
data rates or event timing when transmitting from one device to
another. Also used to remove jitter.
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.
Byte
A group of bits (normally 8 bits in length).
CC (Continuity Check)
A frame used periodically to check whether a connection is idle or
has failed. Continuity checking is one of the OAM function types for
fault management.
cHDLC
A Cisco proprietary version of the HDLC protocol.
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.
Clock
A term for the source(s) of timing signals used in synchronous
transmission.