Wireless Glossary

1XRTT: 1x radio transmission technology is the next step on the CDMA2000 path to faster wireless networks. This year Sprint PCS and Verizon Wireless plan to introduce the first phase of 1x networks that are capable of transferring data at average speeds between 60Kbps and 80Kbps, according to Sprint PCS.

1xEV-DV: 1x evolution-data and voice is the third step on the CDMA2000 path. When it becomes available (not until at least 2003) it will increase both voice and data capacity on the supported networks. Sprint PCS, which says it will introduce 1xEV-DV in 2004, claims the technology will transfer data at rates between 3Mbps and 5Mbps.

CDMA: code division multiple access technologies allocate bandwidth for users of digital wireless devices. CDMA uses codes to differentiate among multiple transmissions carried simultaneously on a single radio frequency band.

CDMA2000: encompasses all the stages of 1x technologies. It is considered a 3G technology that increases voice and data capacity and could theoretically provide data speeds up to 5Mbps. CDMA2000 3G technologies compete with W-CDMA technologies.

EDGE: enhanced data rates for global evolution is a step up from GPRS on the W-CDMA path to 3G technologies. EDGE is supposed to transfer data at speeds up to 384Kbps, but average performance may be slower.

GPRS: general packet radio service is a technology that sends packets of data across a wireless network at theoretical speeds up to 114Kbps. It is a step up from the older circuit-switched method as users do not have to dial in to networks to download information. GPRS is the next step for GSM networks on the W-CDMA path.

GSM: global system for mobile communications is a standard for coding and transferring data through the wireless spectrum. It is the predominant standard in Europe and Asia and is an alternative to CDMA. GSM digitizes and compresses data and sends it down a channel with two other streams of user data. The standard is based on time division multiple access.

TDMA: time division multiple access lets large numbers of users access one radio frequency. TDMA breaks down data transmission, such as a phone conversation, into fragments and transmits each fragment in a short burst, assigning each fragment a time slot.

W-CDMA: wideband CDMA is a 3G wireless technology that allows for high-speed, high-quality data transmission at speeds of around 2Mbps. Derived from CDMA, W-CDMA digitizes and transmits wireless data over a broad range of frequencies. It requires more bandwidth than CDMA but offers faster transmission because it optimizes the use of multiple wireless signals (unlike CDMA’s one signal). W-CDMA competes with CDMA2000.