Mobile Jargon by Vijvipin

SOURCE: Mobile Jargon by Vijvipin

Burst that Jargon: GSM, CDMA, 1G, 3G, Wifi and what not? The list just seems to be never ending. People talk so much about these, even then when I look around I realised that there is still whole lot of people for whom this is a Greek. So here is my humble effort to make all more techno savvy:

This first generation (1G) analog system for mobile communications saw two key improvements during the 1970s: the invention of the microprocessor and the digitization of the control link between the mobilephone and the cell site.

Second generation (2G) digital cellular systems were first developed at the end of the 1980s.  These systems digitized not only the control link but also the voice signal.  The new system provided better quality and higher capacity at lower cost to consumers.

Third generation (3G) systems promise faster communications services, including voice, fax and Internet,  anytime and anywhere with seamless global roaming.  ITU’s  IMT-2000 global standard for 3G has opened the way to enabling innovative applications and services (e.g. multimedia entertainment, infotainment and location-based services, among others). The first 3G network was deployed in Japan in 2001.  2.5G networks, such as GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service) are already available in some parts of Europe.
Read more about 3G Here

Wi-Fi, which stands for wireless fidelity, in a play on the older term Hi-Fi, is a wireless networking technology used across the globe. Wi-Fi refers to any system that uses the 802.11 standard, which was developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and released in 1997. The term Wi-Fi, which is alternatively spelled WiFi, Wi-fi, Wifi, or wifi, was pushed by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a trade group that pioneered commercialization of the technology.

In a Wi-Fi network, computers with wifi network cards connect wirelessly to a wireless router. The router is connected to the Internet by means of a modem, typically a cable or DSL modem. Any user within 200 feet or so (about 61 meters) of the access point can then connect to the Internet, though for good transfer rates, distances of 100 feet (30.5 meters) or less are more common. Retailers also sell wireless signal boosters that extend the range of a wireless network.

Wifi networks can either be “open”, such that anyone can use them, or “closed”, in which case a password is needed. An area blanketed in wireless access is often called a wireless hotspot. There are efforts underway to turn entire cities, such as San Francisco, Portland, and Philadelphia, into big wireless hotspots. Many of these plans will offer free, ad-supported service or ad-free service for a small fee. San Francisco recently chose Google to supply it with a wireless network.

Wifi technology uses radio for communication, typically operating at a frequency of 2.4GHz. Electronics that are “WiFi Certified” are guaranteed to interoperate with each other regardless of brand. Wifi is technology designed to cater to the lightweight computing systems of the future, which are mobile and designed to consume minimal power. PDAs, laptops, and various accessories are designed to be wifi-compatible. There are even phones under development that would switch seamlessly from cellular networks to wifi networks without dropping a call.

What is 4G?
4G, an acronym for fourth-generation wireless, is a technology that will transform wireless communications in a completely new way. It is also known as beyond 3G,” since it provides a comprehensive and secure IP (Internet Protocol) solution. Users will enjoy high quality streaming video and “anytime, anywhere” voice and data at a much higher speed than previous generations.

The use of G, standing for generation, in mobile technology covers the major advances of the past 20-30 years. 1G technology involved the first widely available mobile phones. 2G technology, which began in the early 1990s, switched to a digital format and introduced text messaging. 3G technology improved the efficiency of how data is carried, making it possible to carry enhanced information services such as websites in their original format.

What Is WiFi?

Wi-Fi, which stands for wireless fidelity, in a play on the older term Hi-Fi, is a wireless networking technology used across the globe.
A wireless network uses radio waves, just like cell phones, televisions and radios do. In fact, communication across a wireless network is a lot like two-way radio communication.

Here’s what happens:

a) A computer’s wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it using an antenna.
b) A wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. The router sends the information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection.

What Is Bluetooth?
Ah, a very neat and clean technology (and its almost free): Conceived initially by Ericsson, before being adopted by a myriad of other companies, Bluetooth is a standard for a small, cheap radio chip to be plugged into computers, printers, mobile phones, PDAs etc.

Bluetooth® is the name of a wireless technology standard for connecting devices, set to replace cables. It uses radio frequencies in the 2.45 GHz range to transmit information over short distances of generally 33 feet (10 meters) or less. By embedding a Bluetooth® chip and receiver into products, cables that would normally carry the signal can be eliminated.

What is Infrared?
The infrared technology works through the straight line connectivity which works by in sight feature. It means your infrared port should be must pointed towards the other phone you wish to connect. But in market demand Bluetooth is popular as it is coming in 10 to 100 meter ranges depend according to the prices. Bluetooth also have a quality to read out the memory card and trace the other memory card. Bluetooth have very higher range of transferring the data as compared to other devices. It is the fastest too. And Free!!!!!

3G

Third generation (3G) is the latest phone technology and allows high speed data content transfer. This can mean up to 50 times more data transmitted per minute than with ordinary phones. Video and pictures can be viewed quickly with this technology.

Bluetooth

A type of wireless transmission with relatively short range at present (10 – 100 metres). This can be a wireless connection between your telephone, computer, printer or other compatible device.

Bluetooth Headset

A device that sits on or around the ear and allows you to wirelessly connect to your mobile phone with handsfree receiving of calls.

Card Slot

Expand the memory of the phone by slotting in a memory card.

Carkit

Carkits enable you to use your phone in the car safely and legally, and usually enable handsfree operation and charging of your phone’s battery.

Coverage

The strength of radio signals.

Digital zoom Each pixel is enlarged to increase the size of the subject, but picture quality is very much reduced.

Dual-band

Refers to the capability of handsets to operate across two frequency bands. Dual-band technology enables a network operator with spectrum at both 900 MHz and 1800 MHz to support the seamless use of dual-band handsets across both frequencies.

GPRS

General Packet Radio System for Mobile Communications. This is the mobile phone system network for Europe and most of Asia.

GPS

Global Positioning Satellite. This technology needs a GPS receiver to calculate from the orbiting satellites your exact location on Earth.

GSM

Global system for mobile communications. Second generation network delivering high quality and secure mobile voice and data service with full roaming capabilities across the world. Data connection rate is up to 9.6 Kbps.

Infrared

Wireless data transfer via an infrared port. For example, between two mobile phones or via other devices such as PC with IrDa port.

Integral Cameras

Allow you to take, send (in the form MMS) and store digital pictures.

J2ME

A technology to implement java support for various devices such as mobile phone, PDA and digital television.

Java™

This technology allows you to download games, applications, ring tones and logos from web sites

MMS

Multimedia Messaging Service. A messaging format that allows the transmission of images, sound, video clips and text.

Mobile TV

This technology is seen as the future of the phone and is becoming the complete multimedia gadget. Sky has launched TV which is beamed to your phone for a monthly fee/subscrition. The service includes Sky News,Sports, factual programs and Sky Music and Entertainment.

MP3

Digital music files.

MP3 Player

Listen to MP3 encoded tracks at near CD quality. An MP3 track can also be used as a ringtone on some phones.

Optical zoom

The image is enlarged by the use of lenses, unlike digital zoom which reduces the picture quality.

PDA

Personal digital assistant is a handheld device that works like a mini personal computer. Some especially modern PDAs contain some mobile phone features.

Pixels/Megapixels

The larger the quoted number of pixels the better the quality of the images taken by the camera.

Polyphonic

Very high quality full-range sound.

PTT

Push-to-Talk this is a technology that connects you to work groups and friends with supreme ease.

Quad Band

Allows you to make and receive calls Worldwide, with some exceptions.

QWERTY keyboard

A keyboard with the same letter layout as a computer keyboard.

Refresh Rate

The ability of the screen to keep up, ensuring smooth playback. 15 frames (fps) per second at least is recommended.

Satellite Navigation

Turn-by-turn instructions and on-screen directions on your phone. Can be linked to your phone via Bluetooth or the GPS receiver and navigational software already integrated into your phone.

Screen Resolution

The higher the quoted number of pixels the better the screen. A screen with high resolution will display your pictures and video more clearly.

SD Slot

A secure digital memory card can be inserted to store images and data from your phone.

Service Provider

This is the company that handles your mobile calls.

Smartphone

A phone that can organize your life as well as make and receive calls. Smartphones can make and send e-mails, maintain a diary, to do lists and are able to store lots of data. Smartphones can also be used as an internet dongle (for your computer), and can connect to a computer, so that you can edit or show a document on-the-go or, download it to another computer. Smartphone OS’s consist of: UiQ (Symbian-based), Symbian, Palm OS, webOS (coming soon to the Palm Pre), Windows Mobile.

SMS

Short Messaging Service. Commonly known as ‘Text messaging’.

Tri-band

Different mobile phone networks operate at different frequencies, which means that if you wish to use your mobile phone outside your home country, you generally need a handset that supports multiple frequency bands. A tri-band phone operates on three frequency bands, GSM900, GSM1800 and GSM1900, allowing you to use it in Europe, Africa, Asia, nearly all of North America and Australia.

T9

T9 stands for “Text on 9 keys”, one of predictive text input’s algorithms. Visit http://www.t9.com/ for more information.

VGA/QVGA/SVGA

VGA (stands for Video Graphics Array) is a default video format for mobile phones (for example, the LG Renoir) but is also the standard for cameras as well. This format uses very little space on the card/disk, and is relatively poor quality, and has small screen space (640×480), so that you can record more video quickly and easily (only recommended for simple videos). Also, Windows uses a system called SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array), which, only can display in poor quality modes, and, is unable to support a big display (SVGA supports 800×600 up to 1680×1050). QVGA (stands for Quarter Video Graphics Array) is the same as VGA, but smaller (320×240)

Video capture

This is the ability to film moving video footage, in the form of video clips. These can either be stored on the phone or sent in the form of MMS.

Virtual Wallet

Storing credit card details in your mobile phone for m-commerce use. Voice dial – Allows you to call someone in your phonebook by saying his or her name. You will need to store a previous recording of yourself saying the name, for it to work. Voicemail – A mobile phone’s answerphone system.

WAP

Wireless Application Protocol. Special Web pages made for small screens on mobiles and PDA’s.

WiFi

Wireless transmission of data and images with a good range.

WML Wireless markup language is used to produce WAP content. It makes optimum use of the limited size of the displays on handheld devices.