The glossary contains terms and acronyms that are used in this document.
Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)
A system that converts an analog signal, such as a sound picked up by a microphone or light entering a digital camera, into a digital signal.
ADC
Application Programming Interface (API)
A language and message format used by an application program to communicate with an
operating system, application, or other service.
API
Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID)
A unique address that identifies the access point/router that creates the wireless
network.
BSSID
Carrier Wave (CW)
A single-frequency electromagnetic wave that can be modulated in amplitude, frequency,
or phase to convey information.
CW
Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)
A system that converts a digital signal into an analog signal.
DAC
Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM)
A Traffic Indication Message (TIM) that informs clients about the presence of buffered
multicast/broadcast data on the access point.
DTIM
Factory Information Configuration Registers (FICR)
Pre-programmed registers that contain chip-specific information and configuration.
FICRs cannot be erased by users.
FICR
General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO)
A digital signal pin that can be used as input, output, or both. It is uncommitted and can be controlled by the user at runtime.
GPIO
Internet of Things (IoT)
Physical objects that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems of the Internet or other communications networks.
IoT
Medium Access Control (MAC)
The layer that controls the hardware responsible for interaction with the wired,
optical, or wireless transmission medium.
MAC
Microcontroller Unit (MCU)
A small computer on a single metal-oxide-semiconductor integrated circuit chip.
MCU
Memory Protection Unit (MPU)
A computer hardware unit that provides memory protection and is usually implemented as part of the CPU.
MPU
One Time Programmable (OTP) memory
A type of non-volatile memory that permits data to be written to memory only
once.
OTP memory
Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA)
A collaborative coexistence mechanism for collocated wireless protocols.
PTA
Physical (PHY)
The first and lowest layer of computer networking. This layer is closely associated
with the physical connection between devices.
PHY
Power Management Unit (PMU)
A microcontroller that controls power functions of digital platforms.
Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
A board that connects electronic components.
PCB
Pulse-Frequency Modulation (PFM)
A modulation method for representing an analog signal using only two levels (1 and
0).
PFM
Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM)
A method of reducing the average power delivered by an electrical signal, by
effectively dividing it into discrete parts.
A linear oscillator circuit that uses a combination of resistors and capacitors for
its frequency selective element.
Real-time Clock (RTC)
An electronic device that keeps accurate track of time.
RTC
Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
Synchronous serial communication interface specification used for short-distance
communication.
SPI
Service Set Identifier (SSID)
A unique identifier assigned to a wireless local area network.
SSID
System on Chip (SoC)
A microchip that integrates all the necessary electronic circuits and components of a
device or other electronic systems on a single integrated circuit.
SoC
Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA)
A signal analyzer capable of analyzing digitally-modulated radio signals that may use
any of a large number of digital modulation formats.