Telecommunications Telecommunications refers to the electronic transmission and reception of signals for voice and data communications. In this chapter: Infrastructure Cellular Network Wireless Data Communications Computer Network Concepts > Telecommunications

Telecommunications Infrastructure In telecommunications, infrastructure refers to the hardware, software, and protocols that support telecommunications. In this section: Telecommunications Signals Telecommunications Media Radio Spectrum Telecommunications Devices Telecommunications Software Concepts > Telecommunications > Telecommunications Infrastructure

Telecommunications Signals Telecommunications signals are analog or digital electronic transmissions for the purpose of communication. Data transmission rate is also referred to as the bandwidth and is measured in bits per second (bps). Bandwidth options fall into two categories: narrowband or broadband. The terms broadband and high-speed Internet refer to a connection that is always on or active, such as cable and DSL. Bullet 2 modified Concepts > Telecommunications > Telecommunications Infrastructure > Telecommunications Signals

Telecommunications Media Telecommunications media include anything that carries a signal and creates an interface between a sending device and a receiving device. Twisted pair copper cable consists of pairs of twisted wires covered with an insulating layer. A coaxial cable consists of an inner conductor wire surrounded by insulation, a conductive shield, and a cover. In contrast, fiber-optic cable, which consists of thousands of extremely thin strands of glass or plastic bound together in a sheathing (a jacket), transmits signals with light beams. Concepts > Telecommunications >Telecommunications Infrastructure > Telecommunications Media

Radio Spectrum Radio spectrum, part of the electromagnetic spectrum, refers to all of the frequencies available for radio waves from about 10 KHz to 300 GHz and their assigned uses. All wireless telecommunications—cell phones, wireless Internet, AM and FM radio—make use of radio waves designated to certain frequencies. Concepts > Telecommunications > Telecommunications Infrastructure > Radio Spectrum

Telecommunications Devices Telecommunications devices such as routers, network adapters, Wi-Fi access points, cellular towers, and satellites send and receive the signals employing telecommunications software that governs their operations. Network devices Hub Switch Repeater Bridge Gateway Modem (various) Router Wireless access point Firewall Point/router/switch Satellite Cell Tower A modem is a device that modulates and demodulates signals from one form to another. Concepts > Telecommunications > Telecommunications Infrastructure > Telecommunications Devices

Telecommunications Software Telecommunications software is software based on telecommunications protocols used to control monitor load (amount of traffic) troubleshoot data provide security traveling over a telecommunications network. Concepts > Telecommunications > Telecommunications Infrastructure > Telecommunications Software

Telecommunications Software Network operating systems (NOS) Network management software monitor the use of individual computers and shared hardware, scan for viruses, and ensure compliance with software licenses. Telecommunications devices software interfaces Firewall software Standards Ethernet is the most widely used network standard for private networks. This standard defines the types of network interface cards, control devices, cables, and software required to create an Ethernet network.

Cellular Network A cellular network is a radio network in which a geographic area is divided into cells with a transceiver antenna (tower) and station at the center of each cell, to support wireless mobile communications. In this section: Cellular Carrier Cellular Plans Cellular Services Cellular Handset Pager Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network

Cellular Carrier A cellular carrier is a company that builds and maintains a cellular network and provides cell phone service to the public. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is the most popular international standard for mobile phones. The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networking standard is predominantly used in the United States, where it is in equal competition with GSM. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Carrier

Cellular Plans If two plans from different carriers seem roughly comparable in terms of features, you should view the coverage map of both carriers and examine their handsets and services. A cellular plan defines the terms of service provided by a cellular carrier to which a cellular user subscribes. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Plans

Cellular Services Cellular services include specific features of a cell phone plan other than voice communication, which is assumed, such as text messaging, high-speed Internet, and streamed media. Examples of Cell Phone Add-on Services: Data plan Text messaging Internet communications Push to talk Games Media Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Services

Cellular Handset Cell Phone Form Factors Bar Clamshell Flip Slide Swivel Bullet 2 modified Cellular handset, or cell phone, refers to the phone used by the subscriber to communicate on the cellular network. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Handset

Wireless Data Communications Wireless data communications refers to telecommunications that take place over the air for data and Internet access. In this section: Wi-Fi WiMAX Long Term Evolution (LTE) Bluetooth RFID GPS Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications

Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) is networking technology that uses access points to wirelessly connect users to networks within a range of 250–1000 feet (75–300 meters). Areas around access points where users can connect to the Internet are called hotspots. Positioning access points at strategic locations throughout a building, campus, or city, Wi-Fi users can be continuously connected to the local area network (LAN) and Internet, no matter where they roam on the premises. Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > Wi-Fi

WiMAX WiMAX is being proposed as a solution to the “last mile” problem. The last mile refers to the part of a telecommunications network that connects to residences and businesses—the part of the network other than the backbone. WiMAX, which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (aka IEEE 802.16) is a so-called fourth-generation wireless broadband technology that evolved from Wi-Fi to provide faster Internet access at a longer range. Concepts Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > WiMAX

Long Term Evolution (LTE) Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a fourth-generation wireless broadband technology that was developed to allow GSM cellular technology to evolve to provide very high-speed Internet access. Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > Long Term Evolution (LTE)

Bluetooth Bluetooth enables a wide assortment of digital devices to communicate directly with each other (in pairs) wirelessly over short distances. Some Bluetooth-Enabled Devices: PCs Printers Keyboards and mice Headphones and headsets Speakers Mobile phones Digital cameras MP3 players Automobiles Microwave ovens Refrigerators Washers and dryers A number of cell phone viruses have spread through Bluetooth. An open Bluetooth connection on a computer can be used by a hacker to access files on the computer. KEEP IT OFF, WHEN NOT IN USE. Bullet 2 modified Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > Bluetooth

RFID RFID, or radio frequency identification, uses tiny transponders in tags that can be attached to merchandise or other objects and read wirelessly using an RFID reader, typically for inventory management to facilitate commercial transactions. Privacy advocates concerned that RFID could be used by governments and law enforcement agencies in ways that infringe on people’s privacy and civil liberties. Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > RFID

GPS GPS receivers provide navigation assistance and are also playing a part in social networking. Geotagging is the process of adding geographic identification metadata to digital media and messages. A GPS, or global positioning system, uses satellites to pinpoint the location of objects on earth. Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > GPS

Pager A pager is a small, lightweight device that receives signals from transmitters for the purpose of communications and messaging. On-site paging systems are finding a variety of uses in businesses and organizations, including restaurants and emergency rooms. National and regional systems set up transmission towers, much like cell phone networks, to cover large geographic areas. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Pager

Computer Networks A computer network is a collection of computing devices connected together to share resources such as files, software, processors, storage, printers, and Internet connections. In this section: Personal Area Network (PAN) Home Network Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN) Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network

Computer Networks Devices attached to a network are called nodes. Personal computers attached to a network are often called workstations. Local resources are files, drives, printers or other peripheral devices connected directly to the workstation. Remote resources are resources that the workstation accesses over the network. A system administrator is a person responsible for setting up and maintaining the network, implementing network policies, and assigning user access permissions. Networks are classified by size in terms of the number of users they serve and the geographic area they cover.

Personal Area network (PAN) A personal area network (PAN) typically covers a range of around 33 feet or 10 meters. Bluetooth technology allows personal devices to communicate without wires, sharing data, media streams, phone conversations, and all types of information. Bullet 2 modified A personal area network (PAN) is the interconnection of personal information technology devices, typically wirelessly, within the range of an individual. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > Personal Area Network (PAN)

Home Network A home network is a local area network designed for personal or business use in the home. Home networks allow users to: Share a single Internet connection Share a single printer Share files Back up important files to another PC Participate in multiplayer games Stream music and movies from a computer to devices around the house Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > Home Network

Local Area Network (LAN) A local area network (LAN) is a privately owned computer network that connects computers and devices within the same building or local geographic area. In an intranet, a Web server provides confidential data to LAN users, while keeping the data safe from those outside the organization through the use of a firewall. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > Local Area Network (LAN)

Virtual Private Network (VPN) A virtual private network (VPN) is a network that uses primarily public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to connect an organization’s networks dispersed around the world into one large intranet. Content can be extended to specific individuals outside the network, such as customers, partners, or suppliers, in an arrangement called an extranet. VPNs typically require remote users of the network to be authenticated, and often secure data with encryption technologies. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > Wide Area Network

Wide Area Network (WAN) A wide area network (WAN) connects LANs and MANs between cities, across a country, and around the world using microwave and satellite transmission or telephone lines. A WAN that crosses an international border is considered a global or international network. A LAN becomes a WAN when it extends beyond one geographic location to another geographic location. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > Wide Area Network