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

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

3. Telecommunications signals are analog or digital electronic transmissions for the purpose of communication. Telecommunications Signals Broadband media are those advertised by Internet service providers as “high-speed.” In everyday use, the terms broadband and high-speed Internet refer to a connection that is always on or active, such as cable and DSL. Concepts > Telecommunications > Infrastructure > Telecommunications Signals

4. Telecommunications Media Telecommunications media include anything that carries a signal and creates an interface between a sending device and a receiving device. Concepts > Telecommunications >Infrastructure > Telecommunications Media 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. Radio waves/wireless

5. Fiber Optic Cables Links: Fiber Optic Cables Concepts > Telecommunications >Infrastructure > Telecommunications Media

6. Radio Spectrum Radio spectrum refers to all of the frequencies available for radio waves, such as TV, radio, wireless phone, wireless computer network, GPS, and satellite communication. Concepts > Telecommunications > Infrastructure > Radio Spectrum

7. Telecommunications Devices Telecommunications devices include the wide variety of computer hardware designed to support telecommunications activities for individuals and businesses. Concepts > Telecommunications > Infrastructure > Telecommunications Devices Network control devices Hub Switch Repeater Bridge Gateway Router Wireless access point Firewall Network connection devices Dial-up modem Cable modem DSL modem Network adaptor Network interface card (NIC) Wireless adapter Cellular connect card Microwave = line-of-sight Access point/router/switchCommunications satellite

8. Telecommunications Software Telecommunications software is software based on telecommunications protocols used to control, monitor, and troubleshoot data traveling over a telecommunications network. Concepts > Telecommunications > Infrastructure > Telecommunications Software Network operating systems Network management software Network control devices Protocols vs. Standards

9. 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. Cellular Network In this section: Cellular Carrier Cellular Plans Cellular Services Cellular Handset Pager Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network Cellular coverage areas focus on populated areas & highways.

10. Cellular Carrier A cellular carrier is a company that builds and maintains a cellular network and provides cell phone service to the public. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Carrier Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) provide roughly equal quality of service in the U.S.A. For international coverage, choose GSM.

11. 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. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Plans A cellular plan defines the terms of service provided by a cellular carrier to which a cellular user subscribes.

12. Cellular Services Cellular services include specific features of a cell phone plan other than voice communication, such as text messaging, high-speed Internet, and streamed media. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Services Examples of Add-on Services: Text messaging Push to talk Email Games Broadband internet Roadside assistance 4G cellular technology – limited by display!

13. Really? Links: Windows Phone 7: Really? Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Services

14. Cellular Handset Cellular handset refers to the phone used by the subscriber to communicate on the cellular network. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Cellular Handset Phone Form Factors Bar Clamshell Flip Slide Swivel QWERTY keyboard Links: Damn You AutoCorrect.com

15. Pager A pager is a small, lightweight device that receives signals from transmitters for the purpose of communications and messaging. Concepts > Telecommunications > Cellular Network > Pager 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.

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

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

18. Concepts Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > WiMAX WiMAX and LTE 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. Links: The 4G Wireless War 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.

19. WiMAX Links: WiMAX Concepts Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > WiMAX

20. Bluetooth Bluetooth (named after a 10th- century Danish king) enables a wide assortment of digital devices to communicate directly with each other wirelessly over short distances. Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > Bluetooth Personal computers Printers Keyboards and mice Mobile phones Digital cameras Portable MP3 players Headphone/headset Speakers Automobiles Microwave ovens Refrigerators Washers and dryers Some Bluetooth-Enabled Devices: Bluetooth = device-to-device Wi-Fi = device-to-network/Internet

21. Bluetooth fun? Links: Blue Tooth fun Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > Bluetooth

22. 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 and supply chain management or to facilitate commercial transactions. Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > RFID Contactless payment systems = security concerns? Controversial uses?

23. Smart Power Outlets with RFID Links: Smart Power Outlets with RFID Concepts > Telecommunications > Wireless Data Communications > RFID

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

25. A computer network is a collection of computing devices connected together to share resources such as files, software, processors, storage, printers, and Internet connections. Computer Network In this section: Personal Area Network (PAN) Home Network Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN) Nodes are devices attached to a network. PCs attached to a network are called workstations. Workstations have access to two types of resources: local resources and network/remote resources.

26. Home Network A home network is a local area network designed for personal or business use in the home. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > Home Network 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 Share output from devices Stream music and movies from a computer to devices around the house

27. 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. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > LAN 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. With an extranet, content can be extended outside the network to customers, partners, or suppliers. LANs designed to serve an entire city are called Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) use tunneling to securely send private data over the Internet.

28. 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. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > WAN A LAN becomes a WAN when it extends beyond one geographic location to another geographic location. A WAN that crosses an international border is considered a global or international network.

29. Discussion Questions 1.Find local providers who offer WiMAX close to your home. Compare prices and plans. Would you subscribe? Why or why not? 2.GPS provides convenience and safety, yet it accesses personal data and may infringe on individual’s privacy. List at least 3 benefits and 3 risks. Are the benefits worth the risks? 3.There are two strategies when purchasing a handset and subscribing to cellular service: choose the phone first, or choose the carrier first. What are some factors that would help you decide? 4.Wi-Fi has been incorporated into numerous devices over the past few years. Make a list of devices that support this technology. How has this wireless connectivity affected how we use these devices? 5.Describe how services and businesses take advantage of RFID. 6.What role does a client/server network system have in managing information within a large organization? 7.Describe how GPS are used by businesses, by the military, and in our personal lives. 8.Would you like telecommuting to be in your future? Why or why not? Can you think of some jobs that are not suited to telecommuting? 9.Explain the purpose of an intranet and the advantages it offers to a business. Concepts > Telecommunications > Computer Network > Discussion Questions