Multi-Tech Systems MTA128ST-USB - Manual (Page 88)

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MultiModemISDN User Guide
MTA128ST-USB
driver—A software module that interfaces between the
operating system and a specific hardware device (e.g.,
color monitors, printers, hard disks, etc.). Also known as a
device driver.
DTE (data terminating equipment)—A term used to include
any device in a network which generates, stores or
displays user information. DTE is a telecommunications
term that usually refers to PCs, terminals, printers, etc.
DTMF (dual-tone multifrequency)—A generic push-button
concept made popular by AT&T TouchTone.
DTMF detection—A capability in some fax/data modems
that can differentiate between DTMF or fax calling tones. A
typical application would be a program that routes calls to
specific communications applications, depending either on
the type of call or on a DTMF tone added to a dialing
string.
E
EEPROM (electrically eraseable programmable read-only
memory)—A permanent memory chip that can be
reprogrammed by the customer after the manufacturer has
set initial values. See also ROM.
EISA (Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture)—
Pronounced eesa. The purpose of the EISA bus is to
provide a 32-bit bus for faster throughputs while
maintaining backward compatibility with the classic ISA bus
architecture.
ET (exchange termination)—The carrier’s local exchange
switch. Contrast with LT (loop termination).
exchange—A unit (public or private) that can consist of
one or more central offices established to serve a specified
area. An exchange typically has a single rate of charges
(tariffs) that has previously been approved by a regulatory
group.
exchange area—A geographical area with a uniform set of
charges (tariffs), approved by a regulatory group for
telephone services. Calls between any two points within an
exchange area are local calls. See digital PBX and PBX.
F
fax (facsimile)—Refers to the bit-mapped rendition of a
graphics-oriented document (fax) or to the electronic
transmission of the image over telephone lines bit-mapped
approximation of a graphical document and, therefore,
cannot be accurately interpreted according to any
character code.
firmware—Software that is stored in read-only memory
(ROM). Unlike random access memory (RAM), ROM can
retain its content without electrical power. Some ROM,
known as EEPROM, can be reprogrammed electrically
while it is in a device.
foreground—The application program currently running
on and in control of the PC screen and keyboard. The area
of the screen that occupies the active window. Compare
with background.
frequency—A characteristic of an electrical or electronic
signal which describes the periodic recurrence of cycles.
Frequency is inversely proportional to the wavelength or
pulse width of the signal (e.g., long wavelength signals
have low frequencies and short wavelength signals yield
high frequencies).
function: A Universal Serial Bus device that provides a
capability to the host. For example, an ISDN connection, a
digital microphone, or speakers.
H
handshaking—A process that two modems go through at
the time of call setup to establish synchronization over the
data communications link. It is a synchronization and
negotiation process accomplished by the exchange of
predefined, mutually recognized control codes.
HDLC (High-Level Data Link Control)—An ISO standard,
bit-oriented data communications protocol that provides
nearly error-free data transfers.
hexadecimal—A base 16 numbering system in which one
character represents a four-bit binary value. Hexadecimal
notation uses the numbers 0–9 and the letters A–F, usually
suffixed by an h (e.g., 4CF h).
Host Controller: The host’s Universal Serial Bus interface.
A hardware device that provides the interface to the Host
Controller Driver (HCD) and the USB bus.
Host Controller Driver (HCD): Software that provides an
interface to the USB Driver and the Host Controller. (The
interface to the Host Controller is defined by the OHCI
specification.
I
IDN (Integrated Digital Network)—The culmination of
transmission and switching functions using digital
technology in a circuit-switched telecommunications
network.
IEC (Inter-Exchange Carrier)—A telephone company that
is allowed to provide long distance telephone service
between LATAs, but not within any one LATA. Also called
IXC.
I-mux (inverse multiplexer)—A device that will dial up and
combine several lower speed circuits into a virtual
broadband circuit. It takes any multiple up to an aggregate
bandwidth, giving users bandwidth on demand for
videoconferencing, LAN-to-LAN connections, etc. In ISDN
devices, inverse multiplexing is performed by the
BONDING protocol.
in-band signaling—A technique in which connection
control information is sent over the same channel as
assigned to the subscriber for end-to-end communication.
Two common examples are DTMF line signaling and MF
trunk signaling.
Internet—A computer network consisting of many millions
of university, government, and private users around the
world.
Internet address—A unique 32-bit address for a specific
TCP/IP host on a network. Normally printed in dotted
decimal format (e.g., 129.128.44.227).
I/O address—A location within the I/O address space of
your computer used by a device, such as an expansion
card, a USB port, or an internal modem. The address is
used for communication between software and a device.
IP address—A unique 32-bit address for a specific TCP/IP
host on a network. Normally printed in dotted decimal
format (e.g., 129.128.44.227).