Mobile Computing Glossary 

IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers)
A membership-based organization based in New York City that creates and publishes technical specifications and scientific publications.

IEEE 802
An Institute of Electrical Engineering standard for interconnecting of local area networking computer equipment. The IEEE 802 standard describes the physical and link layers of the OSI reference model.

IEEE 802.1 -- A specification for media-layer physical linkages and bridging. A specification for media-layer physical linkages and bridging.

IEEE 802.3 -- An Ethernet specification derived from the original Xerox Ethernet specifications. It describes the CSMA/CD protocol on a bus topology using baseband transmissions. An Ethernet specification derived from the original Xerox Ethernet specifications. It describes the CSMA/CD protocol on a bus topology using baseband transmissions.

IEEE 802.4 -- Broadband and base band bus using token passing as access method, and physical interface specifications. Broadband and base band bus using token passing as access method, and physical interface specifications.

IEEE 802.5 -- A token ring specification derived from the original IBM Token-Ring LAN specifications. It describes the token protocol on a star/ring topology using baseband transmissions. A token ring specification derived from the original IBM Token-Ring LAN specifications. It describes the token protocol on a star/ring topology using baseband transmissions.

IEEE 802.6 -- A token bus specification for metropolitan area network with star/ring topology using baseband transmissions. A token bus specification for metropolitan area network with star/ring topology using baseband transmissions.

IEEE 802.11 -- A physical and MAC layer specification for wireless network transmission based on direct and frequency hopping, SST, and infrared at transmission speeds from 1 to 4 Mbps. This specification includes the basic rate set for fixed bandwidths supported by all wireless stations (for compatibility) and an extended rate set for optimal speeds. A physical and MAC layer specification for wireless network transmission based on direct and frequency hopping, SST, and infrared at transmission speeds from 1 to 4 Mbps. This specification includes the basic rate set for fixed bandwidths supported by all wireless stations (for compatibility) and an extended rate set for optimal speeds.

IEEE 802.12 -- A specification for wireless network transmission based on SST. A specification for wireless network transmission based on SST.

IMTS (Improved Mobile Telephone Service) (Improved Mobile Telephone Service)
Cellular telephone predecessor that uses a single central transmitter and receiver to service a region. A two-way mobile phone system that generally uses a single high-power transmitter to serve a given area and is automatically interconnected with a land line telephone system.

In-Band Signaling
Transmission within a frequency range normally used for information transmission. Contrasted with out-of-band signaling, which uses frequencies outside the normal range of information-transfer frequencies.

Infrared
Electromagnetic waves whose frequency range is above that of microwave but below the visible spectrum. LAN systems based on this technology represent an emerging technology.

IrDA (Infrared Data Association) (Infrared Data Association)
A group of wireless infrared product vendors that promotes serial infrared linkages and interoperability between vendor products.

Infrastructure
The physical and local components of a network. Typically, this includes wiring, wiring connections, attachment devices, network nodes and stations, interconnectivity devices (such as hubs, Router, gateways, and switches), operating environment software, and software applications.

IP -- Internet Protocol. Internet Protocol.

IPX -- Internet Packet Exchange (Novell Netware LAN protocol) Internet Packet Exchange (Novell Netware LAN protocol)

IS 54 - Interim Standard developed by CTIA for introduction of TDMA in conjunction with FDMA. Interim Standard developed by CTIA for introduction of TDMA in conjunction with FDMA.

IS-41 -- TIA cellular standard for seamless roaming with inter-system handoff, call delivery, validation, and authentication. TIA cellular standard for seamless roaming with inter-system handoff, call delivery, validation, and authentication.

IS-54 -- TIA cellular standard defining the air interface to TDMA and digital handsets to base station communications. TIA cellular standard defining the air interface to TDMA and digital handsets to base station communications.

IS-95 -- TIA cellular standard defining the air interface to CDMA and digital handsets to base station communications. TIA cellular standard defining the air interface to CDMA and digital handsets to base station communications.

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network - Integrated Services Digital Network

ISM -- Instrumentation, Scientific, and Medical band. Instrumentation, Scientific, and Medical band.

ISO -- International Standards Organization. International Standards Organization.

Ka-band -- A high-bandwidth satellite wireless communication frequency using the 30 GHz spectrum. A high-bandwidth satellite wireless communication frequency using the 30 GHz spectrum.

KHz (Kilohertz) -- A measure of audio and radio frequency (a thousand cycles per second). The human ear can hear frequencies up to about 20 KHz. There are 1000 KHz in an MHz. (Kilohertz) -- A measure of audio and radio frequency (a thousand cycles per second). The human ear can hear frequencies up to about 20 KHz. There are 1000 KHz in an MHz.

Laser -- Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

Lease Line -- A dedicated Common carrier circuit providing point-to-point or multipoint network connection, reserved for the permanent and private use of a customer . Also called a Private Line. A dedicated Common carrier circuit providing point-to-point or multipoint network connection, reserved for the permanent and private use of a customer . Also called a Private Line.

LEO -- Low-Earth Orbit Satellite. Low-Earth Orbit Satellite.

Line of Sight -- The connection between communication devices characteristic of certain transmission systems (such as laser, microwave, and infrared systems) in which no obstructions on a direct path between transmitter and receiver may exist. The connection between communication devices characteristic of certain transmission systems (such as laser, microwave, and infrared systems) in which no obstructions on a direct path between transmitter and receiver may exist.

Local Loop -- The line from a telephone subscriber’s premises to the telephone company CO.

Location Directory -- The repository of information specifying the current forwarding address of a collection of mobile hosts to be accessed by the redirectors