telecommunications acronyms and definitions – pDFYAR

This article is about telecommunications acronyms and definitions for engineers and technical persons who are working in telecommunication industry. Following are complete list

1. AC – Alternating Current: An electrical current that periodically reverses direction, typically used in homes and businesses to power electrical devices.
2. ACR – Attenuation-to-Crosstalk Ratio: A measure of how much a signal’s strength is reduced due to attenuation (weakening of a signal as it travels through a medium) compared to crosstalk (unwanted interference from nearby electrical signals).
3. ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act: A U.S. law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas, including employment, transportation, and telecommunications.
4. ADO – Auxiliary Disconnect Outlet: An outlet that allows an electrical device to be disconnected from power without having to unplug it.
5. ADSL – Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line: A type of broadband internet connection that uses existing phone lines to transmit data at high speeds.
6. AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction: The person or organization responsible for enforcing safety codes and regulations in a particular area.
7. AIA – American Institute of Architects: A professional organization for architects in the United States.
8. ANSI – American National Standards Institute: A nonprofit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for various industries, including telecommunications.
9. AP – Access Provider: A company that provides internet access to customers, typically through wired or wireless connections.
10. ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials: A nonprofit organization that develops and publishes technical standards for various industries, including telecommunications.
11. ATIS – Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions: An industry association that develops technical standards and solutions for the telecommunications industry.
12. ATM – Asynchronous Transfer Mode: A networking technology that allows data to be transmitted in fixed-size packets or cells.
13. AWG – American Wire Gauge: A standardized system for measuring the diameter of electrical wire.
14. BAS – Building Automation System: A system that controls various building functions, such as heating, ventilation, and lighting, through a centralized computer.
15. BC – Bonding Conductor: A conductor that connects various metal components of a telecommunications system to a common ground.
16. BCD – Backbone Conduit: A conduit that carries telecommunications cables between various telecommunications rooms in a building.
17. BER – Bit Error Rate: A measure of the number of errors that occur in a digital transmission, typically expressed as a percentage.
18. BICSI – Building Industry Consulting Service International: An organization that provides training and certification for individuals working in the information and communications technology industry.
19. BNC – Bayonet Neil-Concelman: A type of connector commonly used in coaxial cables.
20. BOCA – Building Officials and Code Administrators: An organization that develops and publishes building codes and standards.
21. BOMA – Building Owners Managers Association: A professional organization for individuals who own or manage commercial real estate.
22. CATV – Community Antenna Television: A system that delivers television programming to customers through a wired or wireless network.
23. CCTV – Closed-Circuit Television: A system of video cameras that are used to monitor a particular area or building.
24. CBC – Coupled Bonding Conductor: A conductor that connects the bonding conductor to the grounding electrode.
25. CBN – Common Bonding Network: A network of conductors that connect various metal components of a telecommunications system to a common ground.
26. CCA – Copper Coated Aluminum: A type of electrical wire that has a copper coating over an aluminum core.
27. CCITT – International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee: An organization that develops technical standards for the telecommunications industry.
28. CCS – Copper Coated Steel: A type of electrical wire that has a copper coating over a steel core.
29. DVD – Digital Versatile Disc: A high-capacity optical disc format that is used for storing and playing back digital video, audio, and data.
30. EDA – Equipment Distribution Area: An area in a building or facility where telecommunications equipment is housed and distributed to various locations within the building.
31. EF – Entrance Facility: The point where outside cabling enters a building or facility and is connected to the internal cabling system.
32. EIA – Electronic Industries Alliance: A trade association that develops standards and guidelines for the electronics industry.
33. ELFEXT – Equal Level Far-End Crosstalk: A measure of the amount of crosstalk that occurs in a cable between two pairs of wires.
34. EMC – Electromagnetic Compatibility: The ability of electronic equipment and systems to operate properly in the presence of electromagnetic interference.
35. EMI – Electromagnetic Interference: Interference that is caused by electromagnetic fields generated by electronic equipment.
36. EMT – Electrical Metallic Tubing: A type of tubing that is used to protect electrical wiring.
37. ENT – Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing: A type of tubing that is used to protect electrical wiring.
38. EP – Entrance Point: The point where outside cabling enters a building or facility.
39. ER – Equipment Room: A room in a building or facility where telecommunications equipment is housed.
40. FCC – Federal Communications Commission: An independent agency of the United States government that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
41. FDDI – Fiber Distributed Data Interface: A high-speed fiber optic network standard that is used for data transmission.
42. FIPS PUB – Federal Information Processing Standard Publication: A series of publications that provide standards for information processing systems used by the federal government.
43. FLS – Fire Life Safety: A set of codes and regulations that are designed to ensure that buildings and facilities are safe from fires and other hazards.
44. FOCIS – Fiber Optic Connector Intermateability Standard: A standard that defines the mechanical and optical requirements for fiber optic connectors.
45. FTP – Foiled Twisted-Pair: A type of cable that consists of twisted pairs of wires that are wrapped in a metallic foil.
46. FTR – Federal Telecommunications Recommendation: A set of recommendations that are issued by the International Telecommunication Union to guide the development of telecommunications systems.
47. HC – Horizontal Cross-Connect: A point in a telecommunications system where horizontal cabling is connected to other cabling or equipment.
48. HCP – Horizontal Connection Point: A point in a telecommunications system where horizontal cabling is connected to other cabling or equipment.
49. HDA – Horizontal Distribution Area: An area in a building or facility where horizontal cabling is distributed to various locations within the building.
50. HDG – Heavy Duty Galvanized: A type of galvanized coating that provides enhanced corrosion resistance.
51. HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning: The system of heating and cooling a building or facility.
52. IBC – Interconnecting Bonding Conductor: A conductor that is used to bond metallic objects in a telecommunications system to a common ground.
53. IC – Intermediate Cross-Connect: A point in a telecommunications system where horizontal cabling is connected to backbone cabling.
54. ICEA – Insulated Cable Engineers Association: A trade association that develops standards and guidelines for the manufacture and installation of electrical cables.
55. IDC – Insulation Displacement Contact: A type of electrical connector that pierces the insulation of a wire to make contact with the conductor.
56. IEC – International Electrotechnical Commission: An international organization that develops standards for electrical and electronic devices and systems.
57. IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: An international professional organization that develops standards for electrical and electronic devices and systems.
58. IFMA – International Facility Management Association: A professional association that provides education, research, and networking opportunities for facility management professionals.
59. Insertion Loss Deviation (ILD) is a measure of the difference in insertion loss between two fibers of the same type and length. It represents the variation in attenuation at a given wavelength in a transmission system. In other words, ILD is the difference between the expected loss and the actual loss of an optical fiber connection. A high ILD value can indicate a faulty or low-quality connection, which can result in poor signal quality and increased error rates.
60. CCS (copper coated steel) – a type of conductor made by coating a steel core with copper, often used in telecommunications applications because it provides the strength of steel with the conductivity of copper.
61. CD (compact disc) – a digital optical disc used for storing and playing back audio, video, and other data.
62. CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) – a trade association that represents manufacturers and retailers of consumer electronics products.
63. CEC (Canadian Electrical Code, Part I) – a national standard for electrical installations in Canada, developed by the Canadian Standards Association.
64. CER (common equipment room) – a telecommunications room in a building that houses equipment that is shared by multiple tenants or users.
65. CISPR (International Special Committee on Radio Interference) – a specialized committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that develops standards for limiting electromagnetic interference from electrical and electronic equipment.
66. CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) – a telecommunications company that competes with incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) to provide local telephone service.
67. CPE (customer premises equipment) – equipment located at the customer’s premises that connects to a service provider’s network, such as a modem or router.
68. CPU (central processing unit) – the primary component of a computer that performs most of the processing and control functions.
69. CSA (Canadian Standards Association International) – a nonprofit organization that develops and publishes standards for a wide range of products and services, including electrical and electronic equipment.
70. CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) – a professional association that provides standards and formats for construction project specifications.
71. CTR (common telecommunications room) – a room in a building that houses telecommunications equipment, cabling, and connections for multiple tenants or users.
72. CU (copper) – a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29, used extensively as a conductor in electrical and telecommunications applications.
73. DC (direct current) – an electrical current that flows in only one direction, commonly used in electronics and telecommunications applications.
74. DOC (Communications Canada) – a government agency in Canada responsible for regulating telecommunications and broadcasting.
75. DIP (dual inline package) – a type of electronic component package used for integrated circuits and other electronic devices.
76. DPST (double pole, single throw) – a type of electrical switch that has two poles and one switching position.
77. DSS (digital satellite system) – a digital television broadcasting system that uses satellite technology to transmit signals to a receiving antenna.
78. DSX (digital signal cross-connect) – a type of telecommunications equipment used to connect multiple digital signal paths.
79. DTE (data terminal equipment) – a device that serves as an end point in a digital communications network, such as a computer or a terminal.
80. DUT (device under test) – a device or system that is being tested or evaluated in a laboratory or other testing environment.
81. IPC: Insulation piercing contact refers to a type of electrical connector that penetrates the insulation of a wire or cable to make contact with the conductive material inside without having to strip the insulation.
82. IR: Infrared is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of radio waves. In telecommunications, IR is used for wireless communication between devices such as remote controls and some types of data transmission.
83. ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network is a digital telecommunications network that allows for the simultaneous transmission of voice, video, and data over traditional telephone lines. ISDN has largely been replaced by newer technologies such as DSL and cable modems.
84. ISO: The International Organization for Standardization is a non-governmental organization that develops and publishes international standards for a wide range of industries, including telecommunications.
85. ITU-R: The International Telecommunication Union – Radio sector is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for the management of the radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. It also develops and maintains international standards for radio communication.
86. ITU-T: The International Telecommunication Union – Telecommunication sector is another specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for the development of international standards for telecommunications.
87. LAN: A local area network is a computer network that connects devices in a limited geographical area such as a home, office, or school. LANs are typically faster and more reliable than wide area networks (WANs) because the distances between devices are shorter.
88. LCL: Longitudinal conversion loss is a measure of the amount of signal loss that occurs when a signal is transmitted along a wire or cable.
89. LCTL: Longitudinal conversion transfer loss is a measure of the amount of signal loss that occurs when a signal is transferred from one wire or cable to another.
90. LEC: Local exchange carrier is a telecommunications company that provides local telephone services to residential and business customers.
91. LED: A light emitting diode is a semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current passes through it. LEDs are commonly used for status indicators on electronic devices, as well as in lighting applications.
92. MAU: A media attachment unit is a device that connects a computer or other network device to a local area network using Ethernet or Token Ring technology.
93. MC: A main cross-connect is a location in a telecommunications facility where the main cables that provide service to the building are terminated and connected to the internal wiring.
94. MDA: A main distribution area is a location in a telecommunications facility where the main cables that provide service to the building are terminated and connected to the internal wiring.
95. MDF: A main distributing frame is a type of equipment rack that is used to terminate and distribute the cables that provide service to a building.
96. MH: A maintenance hole is a type of underground enclosure that is used to provide access to telecommunications equipment such as cables and conduit.
97. MPD: Multiple plastic duct refers to a type of plastic conduit that is used to protect and route telecommunications cables and wires.
98. MR: A mechanical room is a space in a building that is used to house heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, as well as other mechanical systems.
99. MUTOA: Multi-user telecommunications outlet assembly is a type of wall plate or box that contains multiple data jacks or ports, allowing multiple devices to be connected to a local area network.
100. MUX (Multiplexer): A device that combines multiple signals into a single signal, which can then be transmitted over a single communication channel. MUX is commonly used in telecommunications and data communications.
101. N/A (Not Applicable): This abbreviation is used to indicate that a particular term or requirement is not applicable to a given situation or context.
102. NBC (National Building Code of Canada): A set of national standards that provides guidelines for the design, construction, and occupancy of buildings in Canada. The NBC covers a wide range of building-related topics, including structural design, fire safety, plumbing, and electrical systems.
103. NCS (National Communications System): An organization within the United States government that is responsible for providing secure and reliable communications services to federal agencies and other authorized users.
104. NEC (National Electrical Code): A set of safety standards for electrical installations in the United States. The NEC is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is widely adopted by local and state governments as a basis for their own electrical codes.
105. NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association): A trade association that represents manufacturers of electrical equipment and supplies in the United States. NEMA sets standards for a wide range of electrical products, including motors, generators, transformers, and lighting systems.
106. NEXT (Near-End Crosstalk): An unwanted phenomenon that occurs when a signal on one cable interferes with a signal on an adjacent cable. NEXT is a common problem in telecommunications and data communications systems.
107. NESC (National Electrical Safety Code): A set of safety standards for the installation, operation, and maintenance of electric power systems in the United States. The NESC is published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
108. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): An international organization that develops and publishes codes and standards related to fire safety. The NFPA’s codes cover a wide range of topics, including building construction, fire prevention, and life safety.
109. NID (Network Interface Device): A device that connects a customer’s premises wiring to the telephone company’s network. The NID is typically located outside the customer’s building and provides a demarcation point between the customer’s equipment and the telephone company’s equipment.
110. NIR (Near-End Crosstalk to Insertion Loss Ratio): A measure of the quality of a telecommunications cable. The NIR indicates how much crosstalk is present relative to the strength of the signal on the cable.
111. NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technologies): A federal agency within the United States Department of Commerce that is responsible for developing and promoting standards in a wide range of areas, including telecommunications, electronics, and computer science.
112. NRTL (National Recognized Testing Laboratory): An organization that has been accredited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to test and certify electrical products for safety. Examples of NRTLs include Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Intertek.
113. NVP (Nominal Velocity of Propagation): A measure of the speed at which a signal travels along a cable. The NVP is used to calculate the length of a cable based on the time it takes for a signal to travel from one end to the other.
114. OC (Outlet Cable): A type of cable used in telecommunications and data communications systems to connect equipment to a wall outlet.
115. OCC (Other Common Carrier): A telecommunications company that is not a local exchange carrier (LEC). OCCs typically provide long-distance services or specialized services, such as data transmission.
116. OSP (Outside Plant): The portion of a telecommunications or data communications system that is located outside of buildings. This includes cables, poles, and other equipment used to transmit signals over long distances.
117. RJ: Registered Jack is a standardized physical interface used for connecting telecommunications or data equipment.
118. RMS: Root Mean Square is a measure of the magnitude of a varying quantity, in particular, the effective voltage or current of an alternating current.
119. SAN: Storage Area Network is a specialized, high-speed network that provides block-level access to data storage.
120. SCC: Standards Council of Canada is a federal Crown corporation responsible for promoting efficient and effective standardization in Canada.
121. SCTE: Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers is a non-profit professional association that provides technical training, certification, and standards for the cable telecommunications industry.
122. ScTP: Screened Twisted Pair is a type of twisted pair cable in which each pair of wires is individually shielded with a foil shield, providing better noise immunity than unshielded twisted pair (UTP).
123. SDH: Synchronous Digital Hierarchy is a standardized protocol used in telecommunications to transport large amounts of data over long distances.
124. SFF: Small Form Factor refers to a range of computer components and devices designed to be smaller and more compact than standard-sized components.
125. SIP IC: Single Inline Package Integrated Circuit is a type of integrated circuit (IC) package that has a single row of pins spaced at regular intervals along the long edges of the package.
126. SONET: Synchronous Optical Network is a standardized protocol used in telecommunications to transmit data over optical fiber.
127. SP: Service Provider refers to a company that provides telecommunications or internet services to customers.
128. SRL: Structural Return Loss is a measure of the amount of power that is reflected back from a cable due to impedance mismatches.
129. STM: Synchronous Transport Module is a standardized container used in SDH networks to transport digital signals.
130. STP: Shielded Twisted Pair is a type of twisted pair cable in which each pair of wires is individually shielded with a metal foil or braid, providing better noise immunity than UTP.
131. SSTP: Screened and Shielded Twisted Pair is a type of twisted pair cable that combines the shielding properties of ScTP and STP cables.
132. TBB: Telecommunications Bonding Backbone is a system of interconnecting cables and equipment used to provide grounding and bonding for telecommunications equipment.
133. TCL: Transverse Conversion Loss is a measure of the amount of signal loss that occurs when signals are transmitted between two cables of different twist rates.
134. TE: Telecommunications Enclosure is a cabinet or box used to house telecommunications equipment.
135. TEF: Telecommunications Entrance Facility is the point where the outside telecommunications service enters a building, typically located in a building’s entrance room or basement.
136. PBX: Private Branch Exchange is a telephone exchange system used within an organization to connect internal telephones and route incoming and outgoing calls.
137. PCB: Printed Circuit Board is a board made of insulating material with conductive pathways printed on it that connect various electronic components and allow them to communicate with each other.
138. PD: Power Device is an electronic component that converts input power into a regulated output power suitable for the application.
139. PDU: Power Distribution Unit is a device that distributes electric power to multiple devices within a rack, cabinet, or enclosure.
140. PSACR: Power Sum Attenuation-to-Crosstalk Ratio is a measure of the signal-to-noise ratio in a twisted-pair cable, calculated as the sum of all attenuation values divided by the sum of all crosstalk values.
141. PSE: Power Source Equipment is a device that provides power to a Powered Device (PD) over a network cable using Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology.
142. PSELFEXT: Power Sum Equal Level Far-End Crosstalk is a measure of the interference between two twisted-pair cables, calculated as the sum of all interference values at different frequencies.
143. PSFEXT: Power Sum Far-End Crosstalk is a measure of the interference between two twisted-pair cables, calculated as the sum of all interference values at the far end of the cable.
144. PSNEXT: Power Sum Near End Crosstalk is a measure of the interference between two twisted-pair cables, calculated as the sum of all interference values at the near end of the cable.
145. PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride is a synthetic plastic polymer used in various applications, including insulation for electrical wires and cables.
146. REA: Rural Electrification Administration was a former agency of the U.S. federal government that provided funding to rural areas for the construction of electrical distribution systems.
147. RF: Radio Frequency refers to the range of frequencies used for radio communications, typically between 3 kHz and 300 GHz.
148. RFI: Radio Frequency Interference is the disruption of radio signals caused by unwanted electromagnetic radiation from other sources.
149. RH: Relative Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air compared to the amount that could be present at a given temperature, expressed as a percentage.
150. TGB telecommunications grounding busbar: A type of grounding busbar used in telecommunications systems to provide a common grounding point for equipment and cables.
151. TIA Telecommunications Industry Association: A trade association representing the telecommunications industry in the United States, responsible for developing and publishing standards and guidelines for the industry.
152. TMGB telecommunications main grounding busbar: The main grounding busbar in a telecommunications system, usually located in the telecommunications room or equipment room, which provides a central grounding point for all the grounding conductors in the system.
153. TP transition point: The point in a cabling system where one type of cable or connector is changed to another, for example from horizontal cabling to patch cords.
154. TR telecommunications room: A room in a building dedicated to housing telecommunications equipment and cabling, often serving as a main distribution point for cabling.
155. TS telecommunications space: A dedicated space in a building used for the routing and termination of telecommunications cabling, typically located above the ceiling or below the raised floor.
156. TSB Telecommunications System Bulletin: A series of documents published by the TIA that provide guidance on a wide range of telecommunications-related topics.
157. TU Thomas University: A private university in the United States located in Georgia, known for its programs in telecommunications and technology.
158. UL Underwriters Laboratories Inc: A global safety certification company that tests and certifies a wide range of products for safety and compliance with industry standards.
159. ULC Underwriters Laboratories of Canada: A Canadian branch of Underwriters Laboratories that provides safety certification services to Canadian manufacturers.
160. UPC universal product code: A barcode symbology widely used in retail and grocery stores for product identification and inventory management.
161. UPS uninterruptible power supply: A device that provides backup power to critical equipment in the event of a power outage or disruption.
162. UTP unshielded twisted-pair: A type of copper cabling widely used in telecommunications networks for data transmission, consisting of twisted pairs of wires without any shielding.
163. WA work area: A designated area in a building where end-user devices are located, such as a desk or workstation.
164. WAN wide area network: A network that connects multiple geographically dispersed local area networks (LANs) to enable communication and data transfer over long distances.
165. ZDA zone distribution area: An area in a building where telecommunications cabling is distributed to individual work areas, typically serving a group of adjacent workstations.
166. WP waterproof outlet box: An electrical outlet box designed to be waterproof, commonly used in outdoor or wet environments.
167. X cross-connect: A type of connection point in a cabling system where cables from different sources are terminated and connected to each other.