Glossary of Terms
BTS Hub – Base Transceiver Station Hub
This is the central location where all wireless service provider equipment is installed. It also houses ExteNet Systems’ optical conversion equipment.
CPCN
A type of authority from state regulatory commissions that in principle certifies ExteNet Systems as qualified and enabled to deploy DAS Networks.
DAS
Same as Distributed Antenna System. According to PCIA (the Wireless Infrastructure Association) and its DAS Forum: “DAS is a network of spatially separated antenna nodes connected to a common source via a transport medium that provides wireless service within a geographic area or structure. DAS antenna elevations are generally at or below the clutter level and node installations are compact.”
dBm
A measurement of power loss in decibels using 1 milliwatt as the reference point. A signal received at 1 milliwatt yields 0 dBm.
Distributed Antenna System
Please see DAS
Enhanced 9-1-1
E9-1-1 has been implemented in the United States for landline phones for several decades. In 1994, the Federal Communications Commission mandated Enhanced 9-1-1 for wireless phones. For location purposes, the key difference between a wireline and wireless 9-1-1 call is that wireline callers enjoy the benefit of a specific one-to-one mapping between a telephone number and a street address. This allows highly accurate location information to be provided to the public safety answering point (PSAP). With a wireless 9-1-1 call, the location of the caller must be estimated using location technology equipment.
Enhanced 9-1-1 phase II
This includes Phase 0, basic wireless 9-1-1 (wireless service providers must route mobile calls to the PSAP). It also includes Phase I (the mobile phone number is identified for the PSAP). Phase II requires a mobile telephone to be located within a certain geographic distance using some form of radio location from the cellular network, or by using a global positioning system built into the phone itself.
Fiber Optic Cable
A cable that contains optical fiber. Optical fibers are widely used in fiber-optic communication, which permits transmission over longer distances and at higher data rates than other forms of communications. Fibers are used instead of metal wires because signals travel along them with less loss, and they are immune to electromagnetic interference.
HVAC
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The ducts of HVAC systems in office buildings are discretely used as wave guides by ExteNet Systems for in-building solutions.
HOAs
Home owner associations have responsibilities for certain areas within residential communities. ExteNet Systems will work with HOAs on the placement of DAS antennas that are increasingly being requested due to increased usage of mobile phones within homes.
Macro cell
A conventional cell tower structure that supports antennas and other equipment designed by carriers to give coverage over a large area.
Micro cell
A low power cell tower, designed by carriers to give coverage over a small, localized area.
Network Operations Center
Based at the company’s corporate offices, ExteNet Systems has a centralized control room available 24/7/365 for monitoring its networks. It interfaces directly with each customer's own network, and offers a secure, web-based interface with real-time status, including geographic coordinates.
NOC
Please see Network Operations Center
Nodes
Once the signal from a BTS Hub and fiber cable reach a node, the optical signal is then converted back into the wireless RF signal. The RF signal is transmitted over a small, unobtrusive antenna that is typically mounted on an existing piece of municipal infrastructure such as a utility pole, light post or bus stop sign. The ExteNet Systems-designed antenna arrays broadcast any combination of standards-based signals from all wireless service providers.
OCE
Please see Optical Conversion Equipment
Optical Conversion Equipment
Same as OCE – The OCE converts the radio frequency (RF) signal from the wireless service provider’s BTS equipment to an optical signal, which in turn is routed via fiber optic cable to specific node locations.
Probes
An antenna inserted into a building’s HVAC ducts as part of a discrete in-building DAS system deployed by ExteNet Systems, which radiates and receives radio waves.
RF
Radio Frequency is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum where radio waves occur. A common use of radio frequency is to transport information through the atmosphere or outer space without wires.
Telecommunications Service Provider
Companies that provide network infrastructure services in terms of hardware and software to wireless service providers. ExteNet Systems is a telecommunications service provider.
Wireless Service Provider
Companies that provide direct wireless or mobile services to end-users/subscribers/customers, based upon licensing approved by the Federal Communications Commission. Examples include T-Mobile, MetroPCS, AT&T, U.S. Cellular, Verizon, Sprint, Alltell, Leap/Cricket, etc.
7/24/365
Seven days a week, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Types of Wireless Technology:
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access. A digital radio system that transmits data and allows several radios to share the same frequencies.
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access. This is a channel access method that allows multiple users to share single carrier frequency. The users transmit in rapid succession, one after the other, each using his/her own time slot.
GSM
Global System for Mobile communications is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world – it is used by more than 3 billion people.
UMTS
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is one of the third-generation cell phone technologies, which is also being developed into a 4G technology.
3G
3G is the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology, superseding 2G, and preceding 4G. 3G enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency.
4G
4G (also known as Beyond 3G), an abbreviation for Fourth-Generation Communications System, is a term used to describe the next complete evolution in wireless communications. A 4G system will be able to provide a comprehensive IP solution where voice, data and streamed multimedia can be given to users on an "Anytime, Anywhere" basis, and at higher data rates than previous generations.