Abbreviations and Acronyms

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a
atto (10-18)
A
amperes (current)
Å
angstrom
AAR
automatic alternate routing
AARTS
automatic audio remote test set
ABR
available bit rate
ABS
alternate billing services
ABSBH
average busy season busy hour
ac
alternating current
access information
ACC
automatic callback calling
ACD
automatic call distributor
ac-dc
alternating current - direct current
ACG
automatic call gap
ACH
attempts per circuit hour
ACK
acknowledge character
ACM
address complete message
ACP
action point
ACSB
amplitude companded single-sideband
ACSE
association control service element
ACTEL
access telephone number
ACTL
access customer terminal location
ACTS
Advanced Communications Technology Satellite
automated coin toll service
ACU
automatic calling unit
A-D
analog-to-digital
ADC
analog-to-digital converter
analog-to-digital conversion

ADCCP
Advanced Data Communication Control Procedures
ADH
automatic data handling
ADMD
administration management domain
ADP
automatic data processing
ADPCM
adaptive differential pulse-code modulation
ADPE
automatic data processing equipment
ADPSSO
automatic data processing system security officer
ADS
auxiliary data system
ADU
automatic dialing unit
ADX
automatic data exchange
AECS
Aeronautical Emergency Communications System [Plan]
AERM
alignment error rate monitor
AES
Advanced Encryption Standard
AF
audio frequency
AFC
area frequency coordinator
automatic frequency control

AFNOR
Association Francaise de Normalisation
AFRS
Armed Forces Radio Service
AGC
automatic gain control
AGE
aerospace ground equipment
AI
artificial intelligence
action indicator
AIC
Automatic Intercept Center
AIG
address indicator group
address indicating group

AIM
amplitude intensity modulation
AIN
advanced intelligent network
AIOD
automatic identified outward dialing
AIS
automated information system
alarm indication signal
automatic intercept system
AITS
acknowledged information transfer service
ASIC
application-specific integrated circuits
AJ
anti-jamming
AK
data acknowledgement (see also “ACK”)
ALBO
automatic line buildout
ALC
automatic level control
automatic load control

ALE
automatic link establishment
ALGOL
Algorithmic Computer Language
ALS
application layer structure
ALU
arithmetic and logic unit
A/m
amperes per meter
AM
amplitude modulation
AMA
automatic message accounting
AMARC
automatic message accounting recording center
AMAT
automatic message accounting transmitter
AMC
administrative management complex
AME
amplitude modulation equivalent
automatic message exchange
AMI
alternate mark inversion [signal]
AM/PM/VSB
amplitude modulation/phase modulation/vestigial sideband
AMPS
automatic message processing system
advanced mobile phone system
AMPSSO
automated message processing system security officer
AMSC
American Mobile Satellite Corporation
AMTS
automated maritime telecommunications system
ANI
automatic number identification
ANL
automatic noise limiter
ANM
answer message
ANMCC
Alternate National Military Command Center
ANS
American National Standard
ANSI
American National Standards Institute
AP
anomalous propagation
application process
APAB
all-primary / all-backup
APC
adaptive predictive coding
APCO
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials
APD, apd, a.p.d.
avalanche photodiode
APDU
application protocol data unit
API
application program interface
APL
average picture level
APND
all-primary / no-backup
APOT
additional point of termination
APK
amplitude phase-shift keying
APS
automatic protection switching
APSB
all-primary / some backup
ARP
address resolution protocol
ARPA
Advanced Research Projects Agency [now DARPA]
ARPANET
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
ARQ
automatic repeat-request
ARS
automatic route selection
ARSR
air route surveillance radar
ARU
audio response unit
ASC
AUTODIN Switching Center
access service company
access service coordinator
ASC-EC
access service coordination exchange company
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASE
application service element
ASG
access service group
ASELP
algebraic sum excited linear prediction
ASIC
application-specific integrated circuits
ASN.1
abstract syntax notation one
ASP
aggregated switch procurement
application service part
adjunct service point
assignment source point
ASR
access service request
airport surveillance radar
automatic send and receive
ASR NO
access service request number
AT
access tandem
ATACS
Army Tactical Communications System
ATB
all trunks busy
ATCRBS
air traffic control radar beacon system
ATDM
asynchronous time-division multiplexing
ATE
automatic test equipment
ATIS
Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions [formerly
ECSA]

ATM
advanced testing method
asynchronous transfer mode
ATN
account telephone number
ATRS
automated trouble reporting system
ATV
advanced television
au
astronomical unit
access unit
AUI
attachment unit interface
AUTODIN
Automatic Digital Network
AUTOSEVOCOM
Automatic Secure Voice Communications Network
AUTOVON
Automatic Voice Network
AV
audiovisual
AVD
alternate voice/data
AWG
American wire gauge
AWGN
additive white Gaussian noise
AZ
azimuth
b
bit
B
bel
byte

BAAD
band advance
balun
balanced to unbalanced
basecom
base communications
BASIC
beginners' all-purpose symbolic instruction code
BCC
block check character
blocked calls cleared
BCD
binary-coded decimal
binary-coded decimal notation
blocked calls delayed
BCI
bit-count integrity
BCST
broadcast
Bd
baud
B8ZS
bipolar with eight-zero substitution
bell
BEL character
BER
bit error ratio
BERT
bit error ratio tester
BETRS
basic exchange telecommunications radio service
BEX
broadband exchange
BHMC
busy hour minutes of capacity
BIB
backward indicator bit
BIBR
backward indicator bit received
BIBT
backward indicator bit to be transmitted
BIBX
backward indicator bit expected
BIC
bearer identification code
BIH
International Time Bureau
BIP
bit interleaved parity
B-ISDN
broadband ISDN
bi-sync
binary synchronous [communication]
bit
binary digit
BIT
built-in test
BITE
built-in test equipment
BIU
bus interface unit
BLA
blocking acknowledgment message
BLER
block error ratio
BLO
blocking message
BLR
blocking/unblocking signal reception
BLS
blocking/unblocking signal sending
BNF
Backus Naur form
BOC
Bell Operating Company
BPSK
binary phase-shift keying
bpi
bits per inch
bytes per inch

b/s  (formerly
“bpi”)

bits per second
b/in (formerly “bps”)
bits per inch
BPSK
binary phase-shift keying
BPSS
basic packet switched service
BR
bit rate
BRAN
broadband radio access networks
BRI
basic rate interface
BS
base station
BSA
basic serving arrangement
BSBH
busy season busy hour
BSE
basic service element
basic serving element
BSI
British Standards Institution
B6ZS
bipolar with six-zero substitution
BSM
backward setup message
BSN
backward sequence number
BSNR
backward sequence number received
BSNT
backward sequence number of next signal unit to be
transmitted

BSP
Bell System Practices
BSS
base station system
basic service set
B3ZS
bipolar with three-zero substitution
BTN
billed telephone number
billing telephone number
BW
bandwidth
c
centi (10-2)
CA
communications assets
CACS
centralized alarm control system
CAD
call denial
computer-aided design
computer-aided drafting
CAG
combined access group
CAI
common air interface
CAISS
common air interfaces for satellite systems
CAM
computer-aided manufacturing
CAMA
centralized automatic message accounting
CAN
cancel character
CAP
competitive access provider
customer administration panel

CARS
cable television relay service [station]
CAS
centralized attendant services
call associated signaling
CASE
computer-aided software engineering
computer-assisted software engineering

CATLAS
centralized automatic trouble locating and analysis system
CATV
cable TV
community antenna television

CB
citizens band
CBA
changeback-acknowledgment signal
CBAN
Centrex billing account number
CBD
changeback-declaration signal
CBMS
computer based messaging system
CBN
common bonding network
CBX
computer branch exchange
CC
connection confirm
country code
CCBS
completion of calls to busy subscribers
CCC
clear channel capability
C2
command and control
C3
command, control and communications
C3CM
C3countermeasures
C3I
command, control, communications and intelligence
CCA
carrier-controlled approach
CCD
charge-coupled device
CCH
connections per circuit per hour
CCIF
International Telephone Consultative Committee [a
predecessor to the CCITT]

CIP
critical infrastructure protection
CCIR
International Radio Consultative Committee
CCIS
common-channel interoffice signaling
CCIT
International Telegraph Consultative Committee [a
predecessor to the CCITT]

CCITT
International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative
Committee {now ITU-T}

CCL
continuous communications link
CCMDS
common channel multipoint distribution system
CCO
continuity check outgoing
CC-PIC
customer changeable primary interexchange carrier
CCS
hundred call-seconds
common channel signaling
CCSA
common control switching arrangement
CCS7
common channel signaling System #7
CCTV
closed-circuit television
CCW
cable cutoff wavelength
cd
candela
CD
collision detection, compact disk
CDA
call data accumulator
CDF
combined distribution frame
cumulative distribution function

CDMA
code-division multiple access
CDO
community dial office
CDPD
cellular digital packet data
CDPSK
coherent differential phase-shift keying
CDR
call detail recording
CD ROM
compact disk read-only memory
CDT
call data transmitter
control data terminal
CDU
central display unit
CE
connection endpoint
C-E
communications-electronics
CEF
cable entrance facility
CEI
comparably efficient interconnection
connection endpoint identifier
CELP
code-excited linear prediction
CEP
circular error probable
CEPT
Conference Europeennes des Administrations des Postes et
des Telecommunications

CESID
caller’s emergency service ID
CFA
carrier facility assignment
connecting facility assignment
CFE
contractor-furnished equipment
CFL
call failure
CGAP
call gapping interval
CGB
circuit group blocking acknowledgment message
CGC
congestion control
cgs
centimeter-gram-second
CGH
charging message
CHOK
choke network
ChR
channel reliability
CI
customer installation
CIAS
circuit inventory and analysis system
CIC
carrier identification code
circuit identification code
content indicator code
CIF
common intermediate format
CIFAX
ciphered facsimile
CIGRR
common interest group on rating and routing
CINC
commander-in-chief
ciphony
ciphered telephony
CiR
circuit reliability
CITEL
Inter-American Telecommunications Commission
CK
check bit
CKLT
circuit link test
C/kT
carrier-to-receiver noise density
CKTACT
circuit activity
CKTID
circuit identification number
CL
connectionless
CLASS
custom local area signaling service
CLC
Carriers Liaison Committee
CLEI
common language equipment identification
CLNS
connectionless network service
CLP
cell loss priority (bit)
cm
centimeter
CMDF
combined main distributing frame
combined main distribution frame
CMDS
centralized message data system
CMI
coded mark inversion
CMIP
Common Management Information Protocol
CMIS
common management information service
CMOS
complementary metal oxide substrate
CMR
call modification request message
CMRR
common-mode rejection ratio
CMRS
Commercial Mobile Radio Service
CMS
call management system
CNC
concentrator
CNCC
customer network control center
CNI
calling number identification
CNP
connection-not-possible signal
CNR
carrier-to-noise ratio
combat-net radio

CNS
complementary network service
connection-not-successful signal
C.O.
central office
connection oriented
COAM
customer owned and maintained equipment
coax
coaxial cable
COBOL
common business oriented language
codec
coder-decoder
COG
centralized ordering group
COMINT
communications intelligence
COMJAM
communications jamming
compandor
compressor-expander
COMPUSEC
computer security
COMSAT
Communications Satellite Corporation
COMSEC
communications security
CONEX
connectivity exchange
CONUS
Continental United States
COP
Committee of Principals
COR
Council of Representatives
COT
customer office terminal
continuity message
COTS
commercial off-the-shelf
CPAS
cellular priority access services
cellular priority access system
CPC
call processing control
calling party category
circuit provision center
CPE
customer premises equipment
cpi
characters per inch
cpm
counts per minute
CPNI
calling party number identification
cps
characters per second
cycles per second [deprecated]

CPU
central processing unit
communications processor unit

C/R
command/response field bit
CR
channel reliability
circuit reliability
connection request
CRC
cyclic redundancy check
CRITICOM
Critical Intelligence Communications
CROM
control read-only memory
CRR
customer requested routing
circuit reset reception
CRT
cathode-ray tube
CRTS
cellular radio telecommunications service
c/s
cycles per second [deprecated]
CSA
Canadian Standards Association
CSC
circuit-switching center
common signaling channel

CSES
consecutive severely errored seconds
CSMA
carrier sense multiple access
CSMA/CA
carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance
CSMA/CD
carrier sense multiple access with collision detection
CST
connection setup time
CSU
channel service unit
customer service unit

CTIA
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association
CTN
cut-through operation
CTS
clear to send
CTX
Centrex ® [service]
clear to transmit

CUG
closed user group
CVD
chemical vapor deposition
CVSD
continuously variable slope delta [modulation]
cw
carrier wave
continuous wave

CX
composite signaling
cxr
carrier
D*
specific detectivity
d
deci (101)
DA
directory
directory assistance
D()
dispersion coefficient
da
deka (10)
D-A
digital-to-analog
digital-to-analog converter

D/L
downlink
DACS
digital access and cross-connect system
DAI
dial address incoming
DAO
dial address outgoing
DAMA
demand assignment multiple access
D-AMPS
digital advanced mobile phone system
DARPA
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency [formerly
ARPA]

dB
decibel
dBa
decibels adjusted
dBa(F1A)
noise power measured by a set with F1A-line weighting
dBa(HA1)
noise power measured by a set with HA1-receiver weighting
dBa0
noise power measured at zero transmission level point
DBAS
database administration system
dBc
dB relative to carrier power
dBm
dB referred to 1 milliwatt
dBm(psoph)
noise power in dBm measured by a set with psophometric
weighting

DBMS
database management system
dBmV
dB referred to 1 millivolt across 75 ohms
dBm0
noise power in dBm referred to or measured at 0TLP
dBm0p
noise power in dBm0 measured by a psophometric or noise
measuring set having psophometric weighting

dBr
power difference in dB between any point and a reference
point

dBrn
dB above reference noise
dBrnC
noise power in dBrn measured by a set with C-message
weighting

dBrnC0
noise power in dBrnC referred to or measured at 0TLP
dBrn(f1-f2)
flat noise power in dBrn
dBrn(144-line)
noise power in dBrn measured by a set with 144-line
weighting

DBSN
direct broadcast satellite network
dBv
dB relative to 1 V (volt) peak-to-peak
dBW
dB referred to 1 W (watt)
dBx
dB above reference coupling
dc
direct current
DC
disconnect code
DCA
Defense Communications Agency (now DISA)
DCE
data circuit-terminating equipment
digital channel equipment
DCF
data communication function
DCL
direct communications link
DCM
digital carrier module
DCN
data communications network
DCP
data collection processor
duplex central processor
DCPSK
differentially coherent phase-shift keying
DCS
Defense Communications System
DCT
digital carrier trunk
DCTN
Defense Commercial Telecommunications Network
DCWV
direct-current working volts
DDD
direct distance dialing
DDN
Defense Data Network
DDS
digital data service
digital data system
DEL
delete character
demarc
demarcation point
demux
demultiplex
demultiplexing

dequeue
double-ended queue
DES
Data Encryption Standard
detem
detector/emitter
DEW
Distant Early Warning (Line)
DFI
digital facility interface
DFSK
double-frequency shift keying
DIA
Defense Intelligence Agency
DIC
digital interface controller
DID
direct inward dialing
DIF
digital interface frame
DIG
digital integrity group
DIN
Deutsches Institut für Normung
DIP
dual in-line package
DIS
Draft International Standard
DISA
Defense Information Systems Agency {formerly DCA}
DISC
disconnect
disconnect command
DISN
Defense Information System Network
DISNET
Defense Integrated Secure Network
DIT
directory information tree
DIU
digital interface unit
DLA
Defense Logistic Agency
DLC
digital loop carrier
Data Link control (layer)
DLCI
data link connection identifier
DLY DL
delay dial
DLE
data link escape character
DLP
Data Link protocol
DL TU
digital line / trunk unit
DM
degraded minute
delta modulation
disconnect(ed) mode
DMA
Defense Mapping Agency
direct memory access

DME
distance measuring equipment
DMS
Defense Message System
DNA
Defense Nuclear Agency
DNHR
dynamic nonhierarchical routing
DNI
destination network identification
DNIC
data network identification code
DNPA
data numbering plan area
DNS
Domain Name System
DO
design objective
DoC
Department of Commerce
DOC
dynamic overload control
DOD
Department of Defense
direct outward dialing

DODD
Department of Defense Directive
DODISS
Department of Defense Index of Specifications and
Standards

DOD-STD
Department of Defense Standard
DOJ
Department of Justice
DOS
Department of State
DOT
Department of Transportation
DOV
data over voice
DP
demarcation point
dial pulse
DPCM
differential pulse-code modulation
DPSK
differential phase-shift keying
DQDB
distributed-queue dual-bus [network]
DQPSK
differential quadrature phase-shift keying
DR
data receive
DRAM
dynamic random access memory
DRS
delayed release signal
DRSI
destination station routing indicator
DS
data speed
digital signal
direct support

DS0
digital signal 0
DS1
digital signal 1
DS1C
digital signal 1C
DS2
digital signal 2
DS3
digital signal 3
DS4
digital signal 4
DSA
dial service assistance
DSAM
double-sided amplitude modulation
DSB
double-sideband [transmission]
Defense Science Board

DSB-RC
double-sideband reduced carrier transmission
DSB-SC
double-sideband suppressed-carrier transmission
DSC
digital selective calling
DSCS
Defense Satellite Communications System
DSDC
direct services dialing capability
DSE
data switching exchange
DSI
digital speech interpolation
DSL
digital subscriber line
DSN
Defense Switched Network
DSn
digital signal, level n
DSP
digital signal processing
DSR
data signaling rate
DSS
data station selector
direct station selection
DSSCS
Defense Special Service Communications System
DS-SMF
dispersion-shifted single-mode fiber
DSSR
digital short range radio
DSSS
direct sequence spread spectrum
DSTE
data subscriber terminal equipment
DSU
data service unit
DSX-n
digital signal cross connect, level n
DTE
data terminal equipment
digital terminating equipment
DTG
date time group 
DTMF
dual-tone multifrequency [signaling]
DTN
data transmission network
DTO
dial tone office
DTRS
digital trunked radio system
DTS
Diplomatic Telecommunications Service
DTU
data transfer unit
digital transmission unit
digroup terminal unit
direct to user

DU
data unit
DUP
data user part
DUV
data under voice
DVL
direct voice link
DWDM
dense-wavelength division multiplexing
DXE
[See DCE] data circuit-terminating equipment
[See DCE] data circuit terminal equipment
DX signaling
direct current signaling
duplex signaling

E
exa (1018)
E911
enhanced 911 (emergency service)
EA
equal access
expedited data acknowledgment message
extended address field bit
EAS
extended area service
EBCDIC
extended binary coded decimal interchange code
Eb/N0
signal energy per bit per hertz of thermal noise
EBO
embedded base organization
EBS
Emergency Broadcast System
EBX
electronic branch exchange
EC
Earth coverage
Earth curvature
exchange carrier
ECA
emergency changeover acknowledgement signal
ECC
electronically controlled coupling
enhance call completion

ECCKT
exchange company cirtuit ID
ECCM
electronic counter-countermeasures
ECM
electronic countermeasures
emergency changeover message
ECO
emergency changeover order signal
ECPT
electronic coin public telephone
ECSA
Exchange Carrier Standards Association [now ATIS]
ECT
exchange carrier tandem
ED
expedited data
EDA
electronic directory assistance
EDC
error detection and correction
EDI
electronic data interchange
EDP
electronic data processing
EDTV
extended-definition television
EE
equipment engineering
electrical engineering
EEI
equipment-to-equipment interface
EF
extended frame
errored frame
EHF
extremely high frequency
EIA
Electronic Industries Association
eirp
effective isotropically radiated power
equivalent isotropically radiated power

800DB
800 Data Base
EIS
Emergency Information System
EIT
encoded information type
el
elevation
ELECTRO-OPTINT
electro-optical intelligence
ELF
extremely low frequency
ELINT
electronics intelligence
electromagnetic intelligence

ELSEC
electronics security
ELT
emergency locator transmitter
e-mail, E-mail, email
electronic mail
EMC
electromagnetic compatibility
EMCON
emission control
EMD
equilibrium mode distribution
EME
electromagnetic environment
emf
electromotive force
EMI
electromagnetic interference
electromagnetic interference control

EMI/EMC
electromagnetic interference and compatibility
EML
expected measurement loss
EMP
electromagnetic pulse
EMR
electromagnetic radiation
EMR hazards
electromagnetic radiation hazards
e.m.r.p.
effective monopole radiated power
equivalent monopole radiated power

EMS
electronic message system
EMSEC
emanations security
emu
electromagnetic unit
EMV
electromagnetic vulnerability
EMW
electromagnetic warfare
electromagnetic wave

ENQ
enquiry character
EO
end office
E.O.
Executive Order
EOA&M
engineering, operations, administration, and maintenance
EOC
embedded operations channel
EOD
end of data
EOF
end of file
EOL
end of line
EOM
end of message
EOP
end of program
end output

EOS
end-of-selection character
EOT
end-of-transmission character
end of tape

EOW
engineering orderwire
EPL
electronic switching system programming language
EPROM
erasable programmable read-only memory
EPSCS
enhanced private switched communications system
ERL
echo return loss
ER link
emergency response link
ERP, e.r.p.
effective radiated power
ERR
protocol data unit error
ES
end system
errored second
expert system

ESC
escape character
enhanced satellite capability

ESF
extended superframe
ESM
electronic warfare support measures
ESMR
enhanced specialized mobile radio
ESP
enhanced service provider
ESS
electronic switching system
ET
exchange termination
ETB
end-of-transmission-block character
ETGC
Exchange Telephone Group Committee
ETS
electronic tandem switching
electronic translator system
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
ETX
end-of-text character
EU
end user
EW
electronic warfare
EXCSA
Exchange Carriers Standards Association
facility accepted message
f
femto (10-15)
f
frequency
F
farads (capacitance)
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration
FACS
facilities assignment and control system
FADU
file access data unit
FAQ file
Frequently Asked Questions file
FAX
facsimile
FC
functional component
facility code
FCAP
facility capability
facility capacity
FCC
Federal Communications Commission
FCM
flow control message(s)
FCS
frame check sequence
FDDI
fiber distributed data interface
FDDI-2
fiber distributed data interface-2
FDHM
full duration at half maximum
FDM
frequency-division multiplex(ing)
FDMA
frequency-division multiple access
FDT
frame due time
FDX
full duplex
FEBE
far end block error
FEC
forward error correction
FECC
Federal Emergency Communications Coordinators
FED-STD
Federal Standard
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEP
front-end processor
FEPS
facility and equipment planning system
FET
field effect transistor
FERF
far-end receive failure
FIB
forward indicator bit
FIC
facility interface code
FID
field identifier
FIFO
first-in, first-out
FIP
facility interface processor
Federal Information Processing
FIPS
Federal Information Processing Standards
FIR
finite impulse response
FIRMR
Federal Information Resources Management Regulations
FISINT
foreign instrumentation signals intelligence
FISU
fill-in signal unit
5ESS
#5 Electronic Switching System
flops 
floating-point operations per second style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 

FLMPTS
Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunication Systems
FLTSATCOM
Fleet Satellite Communications
FM
frequency modulation
FO
fiber optics
FOC
final operational capability
full operational capability
fiber optics communications
FOCC
Fiber Optics Coordinating Committee
FOT
forward-transfer message
frequency of optimum traffic
frequency of optimum transmission

FPDU
frame relaying protocol data unit
FPGA
field programmable gate array
FPIS
forward propagation ionospheric scatter
ft/min
feet per minute
fps
foot-pound-second
FPS
frames per second
focus projection and scanning

FRJ
facility reject message
FRP
Federal Response Plan
FSDPSK
filtered symmetric differential phase-shift keying
FSDU
frame relaying service data unit
FSK
frequency-shift keying
FSN
forward sequence number
FSNR
forward sequence number received
FSNX
forward sequence number expected
FSS
Fixed Satellite Service
fully separate subsidiary
FT
fiber optic T-carrier
FTAM
file transfer, access, and management
FTF
Federal Telecommunications Fund
FTR
Federal Telecommunications Recommendation
ft/s
feet per second
FTS
Federal Telecommunications System
Federal Telecommunications Service
FTS2000
Federal Telecommunications System 2000
FTSC
Federal Telecommunications Standards Committee
FTSP
Federal Telecommunication Standards Program
FTP
file transfer protocol
FWHM
full width at half maximum
FX
fixed service
foreign exchange
foreign exchange service

FX OPER
foreign exchange trunk operation
g
profile parameter
G
giga (109)
GAN
global area network
GAS
special autonomous group
GBH
group busy hour
GCT
Greenwich Civil Time
GDF
group distribution frame
GEO
Geostationary Earth orbit
Geosynchronous Earth orbit
GETS
Government Emergency Telecommunications Service
GFE
Government-furnished equipment
GGCL
government-to-government communications link
GHz
gigahertz
GII
Global Information Infrastructure
GMT
Greenwich Mean Time
GND
ground
GOS
grade of service
GOSIP
Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile
GOTS
government (-developed) off-the-shelf
GRP MOD
group modulation
GRS
reset circuit group message
GSA
General Services Administration
GSM
global system for mobile communications
GSTN
general switched telephone network
G/T
antenna gain-to-noise-temperature
GTP
Government Telecommunications Program
GTS
Government Telecommunications System
GUI
graphical user interface
h
hecto (102)
Henry (inductance)
Planck's constant

HALO
high-altitude, long operation
HAPS
high-altitude platform station
HBA
hardware group blocking acknowledgment signal
HBUR
hardware blocking/unblocking reception
HBUS
hardware blocking/unblocking sending
HCS
hard clad silica [fiber]
HCSDS
high-capacity satellite digital service
HCTDS
high-capacity terrestrial digital service
HDLC
high-level data link control
HDTV
high-definition television
HDX
half-duplex [operation]
HE11mode
the fundamental hybrid mode [of an optical fiber]
HEMP
high-altitude electromagnetic pulse
HEO
highly elliptical Earth orbit
HERF
hazards of electromagnetic radiation to fuel
HERO
hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance
HERP
hazards of electromagnetic radiation to personnel
HF
high frequency
human factors
HFDF
high-frequency distribution frame
HGA
hardware carrier group alarm
HGB
hardware group blocking signal
HGU
hardware group unblocking signal
HIPERLAN
high-performance radio local area network
HLL
high-level language
HML
hunting multiline group number
HPC
high probability of completion
HPF
hunting preferential list
HSD
high-speed data
HSSDS
high-speed switched digital service
HU
high usage
HV
high voltage
Hz
hertz
I
current (amperes)
information
IA
International Alphabet [CCITT]
IAC
initial alignment control
IAM
initial address message
IAPP
inter-access point protocol
I&C
installation and checkout
IBOC
in band, on-channel
IC
integrated circuit
interexchange carrier (also “IXC”)
ICAN
individual circuit analysis
ICC
incoming trunk circuit,
Interstate Commerce Commission
ICCF
Industry Carriers Compatibility Forum
ICI
incoming call identification
ICIC
Interexchange Carrier Industry Committee
ICN
international closed user group number
ICNI
integrated communications, navigation, and identification
ICSC
Interexchange Customer Service Center
ICT
interexchange carrier tandem
ICW
interrupted continuous wave
ID
identification
identifier
identity
IDDD
International Direct Distance Dialing
IDF
intermediate distribution frame
intermediate distributing frame
IDL
interface definition language
IDN
integrated digital network
IDTV
improved-definition television
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IES
Industry Executive Subcommittee
IF
intermediate frequency
I/F
interface
IF1IF6
interface 1…interface 6
IFF
identification, friend or foe
IFIP
International Federation for Information Processing
IFRB
International Frequency Registration Board (now
Radio Regulations Board )

IFRPS
Intercity Facility Relief Planning System
IFS
ionospheric forward scatter
IFx
interface configuration x
IILC
Information Industry Liaison Committee
IIR
infinite impulse response
IITF
Information Infrastructure Task Force
ILD
injection laser diode
ILS
instrument landing system
IM
intensity modulation
intermodulation
interface module
IMA
individual mobilization augmentee
I&M
installation and maintenance
IMD
intermodulation distortion
IMP
interface message processor
IN
intelligent network
IN/1, IN/1+, IN/2
intelligent network concepts  [versions 1, 1+, 2]

INC
Industry Numbering Committee
international exchange carrier
international carrier
INF
information message
INFOSEC
information systems security
INR
information request message
INS
inertial navigation system
INTELSAT
International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium
INWATS
Inward Wide-Area Telephone Service
I/O
input/output [device]
IOC
integrated optical circuit
input-output controller

IOP
input/output processor
IP
Internet protocol
intelligent peripheral
interpersonal
IPA
intermediate power amplifier
IPC
information processing center
IPM
impulses per minute
interference prediction model
interpersonal message
interruptions per minute
IPMS
interpersonal messaging system
IPN
interpersonal notification
IPRC
Intellectual Property Rights Committee
IPTF
Infrastructure Protection Task Force
in/s
inches per second
ips
interruptions per second
IPX
Internet Packet Exchange
IQF
intrinsic quality factor
IR
infrared
IRAC
Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee
IRC
international record carrier
Interagency Radio Committee

IS
international standard
interim standard
ISB
independent-sideband [transmission]
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network
ISL
intersatellite link
ISM
industrial, scientific, and medical (applications)
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
ISP
Internet service provider
ISSI
inter-RF subsystem interface
ISUP
Integrated Services Digital Network user part
integrated services user part
IT
integrated test
inactivity test
information technology
ITA
International Telegraph Alphabet
ITA-5
International Telegraph Alphabet Number 5
ITC
International Teletraffic Congress
independent telephone company
ITM
installation, testing, and maintenance
ITS
intelligent transportation system
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
ITSO
International Telecommunications Satellite Organization
ITU
International Telecommunication Union
I2
Next Generation Internet 
(also abbreviated “NGI”)

IVDT
integrated voice data terminal
IXC
interexchange carrier
JANAP
Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Publication(s)
JCS
Joint Chiefs of Staff
JMX
jumbo group multiplex
jpeg
Joint Photographic Experts Group (file format)
JS
jack status
JSC
Joint Steering Committee [now JTSSG]
Joint Spectrum Center

JTC
Joint Technical Committee
JTC3A
Joint Tactical Command, Control and Communications Agency
JTIDS
Joint Tactical Information Distribution System
JTRB
Joint Telecommunications Resources Board
JTRS
Joint Tactical Radio System
JTSCC
Joint Telecommunications Standards Coordinating Committee
JTSSG
Joint Telecommunications Standards Steering Group [formerly
JSC]

k
kilo (103)
Boltzmann's constant

K
coefficient of absorption
kelvin

kb (or “Kbit”)
1000 bits (kilobit)
kb/s, or kbps
kilobits per second
KDC
key distribution center
KDR
keyboard data recorder
KDT
keyboard display terminal
kg
kilogram
kg•m•s
kilogram-meter-second
kHz
kilohertz  (1000
Hz)

km
kilometer
k, k
kilohm
KP
keypulse
KSR
keyboard send/receive device
kT
noise power density
KTS
key telephone system
KTU
key telephone unit

wavelength
CO
cutoff wavelength
L1
level 1, Layer 1 (physical/electrical interface)
L2
level 2, Layer 2 (signaling link functions)
L3
level 3, Layer 3 (signaling network functions)
L4
level 4 (ISDN user part)
LAC
loop assignment center
LADT
local area data transport
LAMA
local automatic message accounting
LAN
local area network
LAP-B
Data Link Layer protocol [CCITT Recommendation X.25 (1989)]
local access protocol, balanced
LAP-D
link access procedure D
link access protocolD channel
laser
light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation
LASINT
laser intelligence
LATA
local access and transport area
LBO
line buildout
LBS
load balance system
LC
limited capability
LCD
liquid crystal display
LCIE
lightguide cable interconnection equipment
LCN
local communication network
LD
long distance
LDM
limited distance modem
LEC
local exchange carrier
local exchange companies
LED
light-emitting diode
LEGACT
leg activity
LEO
low Earth orbit
LERG
local exchange routing guide
LF
low frequency
line finder
LFB
look-ahead-for-busy [information]
LIDB
line information data base
LIFO
last-in, first-out
LLC
logical link control [sublayer]
LLN
line link network
LLSC
link set control
l/m
lines per minute
LMCS
local multipoint communications system
LMDS
local multipoint distribution system
LMF
language media format
LMMS
local message metering system
LMR
land mobile radio
LNA
launch numerical aperture
LOCAP
low capacitance
LOF
lowest operating frequency
loran
long-range aid to navigation system
long-range radio aid to navigation system

LOS
line of sight
loss of signal

LP
linearly polarized [mode]
log-periodic [array]

LPA
linear power amplifier,
loop-back acknowledgment message
LPC
linear predictive coding
LPD
low probability of detection
LPI
low probability of interception
lpi
lines per inch
lpm
lines per minute
LP01
the fundamental mode (of an optical fiber)
LQA
link quality analysis
LRAP
long route analysis program
LRC
longitudinal redundancy check
LRS
line repeater station
LS
line side
LSAC
signaling link activity control
LSB
lower sideband,
least significant bit
LSC
link state control
LSDA
signaling data link allocation
LSI
large scale integrated [circuit]
line status indication

LSLA
signaling link activation
LSLD
signaling link deactivation
LSLR
signaling link restoration
LSO
local serving office
LSS
local switching system
LSSU
link status signal unit
LSTA
signaling terminal allocation
LT
the physical termination of the DSL at the network end
LTC
line traffic coordinator
LTE
line terminating equipment
LTF
lightwave terminating frame
LUA
link uninhibit acknowledgment
LUN
link uninhibit message
LUF
lowest usable high frequency
LULT
line-unit-line termination
LUNT
line-unit-network termination
LV
low voltage
m
meter
milli (10-3)

M
mega (106)
maintenance
modifier function bit
mA
milliampere
MAC
medium access control [sublayer]
MACOM
major command
MAN
metropolitan area network
MAP
manufacturers' automation protocol
MAS
mass announcement system
maser
microwave amplification by the stimulated emission of
radiation

M[]
material dispersion coefficient
MAU
medium access unit
MB
message blocking
Mb/s also Mbps
megabits per second
MCC
maintenance control circuit
master control center
MCDN
microcellular data network
MCEB
Military Communications-Electronics Board
MCM
multicarrier modulation
MCS
Master Control System
MCW
modulated continuous wave
MCXO
microcomputer compensated crystal oscillator
MD
management domain
mediation device
MDF
main distribution frame
MDS
message distribution system,
multipoint distribution system
MDT
mean downtime
MECAB
multiple exchange carrier access billing
MEECN
Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network
MEO
medium Earth orbit
MERCAST
merchant-ship broadcast system
MESSPROC
message processing
MET
multibutton electronic telephone
MF
medium frequency
multifrequency [signaling]

mediation function
MFD
mode field diameter
MFJ
Modification of Final Judgment
MFSK
multiple frequency-shift keying
MFT
metallic facility terminal
MGB
maintenance group blocking signal
MGT
mastergroup translator
MGU
maintenance group unblocking signal
MHF
medium high frequency
MHS
message handling service
message handling system

MHz
megahertz
mi
mile
MI
machine interface
MIC
machine interface code
medium interface connector
mutual interface chart

MII
mobile information infrastructure
MILNET
military network
MIL-STD
Military Standard
min
minute
MIP
medium interface point
MIPS, mips
million instructions per second
MIS
management information system
MKS
meter-kilogram-second
MLPP
multilevel precedence and preemption
MLH
multiline hunt
MLM
multilongitudinal mode
MLPP
multilevel precedence and preemption
MLT
mechanical loop testing
MMDS
multichannel multipoint distribution system
MMGT
multimastergroup translator
MMITS
modular, multifunctional information transfer system(s) [See
SDR Forum]

MMUC
minimum monthly usage charge
MMW
millimeter wave
MMX
mastergroup multiplex
MN
mobile node
modem
modulator-demodulator
modified AMI code
modified alternate mark inversion code
mol
mole
MOTIS
message-oriented text interchange system
MOU
minutes of use
mpeg
Motion Picture Experts Group
MPN
mode-partition noise
ms
millisecond (10-3second)
message store
MS
mobile station
MSA
metropolitan statistical area
MSB
most significant bit
MSC
media stimulated calling
mobile switching center
mobile services switching center
MSK
minimum-shift keying
MSS
Mobile Satellite Service
mobile satellite system
MSTM
maximum skew one-tenth maximum
MSU
message signal unit
MTA
message transfer agent
MTBF
mean time between failures
MTBM
mean time between maintenance
MTBO
mean time between outages
MTBPM
mean time between preventive maintenance
MTF
modulation transfer function
MTIE
maximum time interval error
MTP
message transfer part
MTS
message telecommunications service
message transfer system
MTSE
message transfer service element
MTSO
mobile telephone switching office
mobile telecommunications switching office
MTSR
mean time to service restoral
MTTR
mean time to repair

micro (10-6)
s
microsecond
MUA
maintenance group unblocking acknowledgment signal
MUF
maximum usable frequency
muldem
multiplexer/demultiplexer
MUX
multiplex
multiplexer

MUXing
multiplexing
mv
millivolt
mw
microwave
mW
milliwatt
MWI
message waiting indicator
MWV
maximum working voltage
n
nano (10-9)
refractive index

N.
numeric characters, 0-9
N0
sea level refractivity
spectral noise density

NA
numerical aperture
network aspects
NAC
network administration center
NACSEM
National Communications Security Emanation Memorandum
NACSIM
National Communications Security Information Memorandum
NAK (also “NACK)”
negative-acknowledge character
NANA
North American Numbering Administration
NANP
North American Numbering Plan
NANPA
North American Numbering Plan Administration
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASNA
National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators
NASP
network application service part
NATA
North American Telecommunications Association
NA-TDMA
North American ― Time Division Multiple Access
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NAVSTAR-GPS
Navigational Satellite Timing and Ranging ─ Global
Positioning System

NBEC
non-Bell exchange company
NBFM
narrowband frequency modulation
NBH
network busy hour
NBRVF
narrowband radio voice frequency
NBS
National Bureau of Standards [now NIST]
NBSV
narrowband secure voice
NC
network channel
network connection
no current
NCC
National Coordinating Center for Telecommunications
NCI
network channel interface (code)
NCP
network control point
network control processor
NCS
National Communications System
net control station

NCSC
National Communications Security Committee
NCTE
network channel terminating equipment
NDCC
network data collection center
NDCS
network data control system
NDER
National Defense Executive Reserve
NDIS
network driver interface specification
NEACP
National Emergency Airborne Command Post
NEC
National Electric Code ®
NECA
National Exchange Carrier Association
NEF
network element function
NEP
noise equivalent power
NES
noise equivalent signal
NETS
Nationwide Emergency Telecommunications Service
NF
noise figure
NFS
Network File System
NGI
Next Generation Internet 
[also abbreviated  I2]

NGSO
non-Geostationary orbit
NHN
nonhunting number
NI
network interface
number identification
NIC
network interface card
NICS
NATO Integrated Communications System
NID
network interface device
network information database

NII
National Information Infrastructure
NIOD
network inward/outward dialing
NIST
National Institute of Standards and Technology [formerly
NBS]

NIU
network interface unit
NLP
National Level Program
nm
nanometer
NMC
network management center
nmi
nautical mile
NNI
network node interface
NOC
network operations center
NOCS
network operations center system
NOD
network outward dialing
NOF
Network Operations Forum
NORGEN
network operations report generator
NOTIS
network operations trouble information system
NOW
number of WATS
Np
neper
NP
network pause
NPA
numbering plan area
NPCI
network protocol control information
NPN
network provided number
NPNB
no primary / no backup
NPR
noise power ratio
N(r)
receive sequence number
NRI
net radio interface
NRM
network resource manager
NRRC
Nuclear Risk Reduction Center
NRZ
non-return-to-zero
NRZI
non-return-to-zero inverted
NRZ-M
non-return-to-zero mark
NRZ-S
non-return-to-zero space
NRZ1
non-return-to-zero, change on ones
NRZ-1
non-return-to-zero mark
ns
nanosecond
N(s)
send sequence number
NSA
National Security Agency
NSC
National Security Council
network service center
NS/EP telecommunications
National Security / Emergency Preparedness
telecommunications

NSP
national signaling point
NSPMP
network switching performance measurement plan
NSTAC
National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee
NTCN
National Telecommunications Coordinating Network
NTMS
National Telecommunications Management Structure
NT
network termination
physical termination of the DSL at the user end
NT1
network termination 1
NT2
network termination 2
NTI
network terminating interface
NTIA
National Telecommunications and Information Administration

NTN
network terminal number
NTSC
National Television Standards Committee
National Television Standards Committee [standard]

NUL
null character
NVIS
near-vertical-incidence skywave
NXX
3-digit code identifying a central office exchange
O
operations

ohm
OAM
operations, administration and maintenance
OAMP
operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning
O&M
operations and maintenance
OC
operating company
operations center
optical carrier
OC-1
optical carrier Level 1
OC-N
optical carrier Level N
OCC
other common carrier
OCE
other common carrier channel equipment
OCIS
online customer information system
OCM
office carrier module
OCR
optical character reader
optical character recognition

OCS
originating call screening
OCU
office channel unit
orderwire control unit
OCVCXO
oven controlled-voltage controlled crystal oscillator
OCXO
oven controlled crystal oscillator
OD
optical density
outpulsed digits
outside diameter

OEC
other exchange company
other exchange coordinator
OFC
optical fiber, conductive
OFCP
optical fiber, conductive, plenum
OFCR
optical fiber, conductive, riser
OFDM
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
OFN
optical fiber, nonconductive
OFNP
optical fiber, nonconductive, plenum
OFNR
optical fiber, nonconductive, riser
OGC
outgoing trunk circuit
OI
optical interface
OMAP
operations, management, and administration part
OMB
Office of Management and Budget
OMEG
Operations and Maintenance Experts Group
ONA
open network architecture
ONI
operator umber identification
OPC
originating point code
OPDU
operation protocol data unit
opm
operations per minute
OPMODEL
operations model
OPS
off-premises station
operator services
OPSEC
operations security
OPX
off-premises extension
O/R
originator/recipient
OR
off-route service
off-route aeronautical mobile service

ORL
optical return loss
OS
operations system
OSC
oscillator
OSF
operations system function
OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSI
open switch interval
open switching interval
Open Systems Interconnection

OSI-RM
Open Systems Interconnection―Reference Model
OSP
operator service provider
OSRI
originating stations routing indicator
OSS
operator service system
operations support system
OSSN
originating stations serial number
OTAM
over-the-air management of automated HF network nodes
OTAR
over-the-air rekeying
OTC
operating telephone company
OTDR
optical time domain reflectometer
optical time domain reflectometry

OUTWATS
Outward Wide Area Telecommunications Service
OW
orderwire [circuit]
p
pico (10-12)
P
peta (1015)
provisioning 
PABX
private automatic branch exchange
PACA-E
enhanced priority access and channel assignment
PACS
personal access communications system
PAD
packet assembler/disassembler
PAL
phase alternation by line
PAL-M
phase alternation by line―modified
PAM
pulse-amplitude modulation
pass along message
PAMA
pulse-address multiple access
p/a r
peak-to-average ratio
PAR
performance analysis and review
PARAMP
parametric amplifier
par meter
peak-to-average ratio meter
PAX
private automatic exchange
PBER
pseudo-bit-error-ratio
PBX
private branch exchange
PC
carrier power (of a radio transmitter)
personal computer
point code
PCAC
point code allowed control
PCB
power circuit breaker
printed circuit board

PCI
protocol control information
personal communications interface
PCM
pulse-code modulation
process control module

PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association
PCME
packetized  circuit
multiplication equipment

PCN
Personal Communications Network
PCO
peg count and overflow
PCPC
point code prohibited control
PCR
preventive cyclic retransmission
PCS
Personal Communications Services
plastic-clad silica [fiber]

PCSR
parallel channels signaling rate
PD
photodetector
protocol discriminator
PDC
personal digital cellular
PDM
pulse delta modulation
pulse-duration modulation

PDN
public data network
PDS
protected distribution system
program data source

PDT
programmable data terminal
PDU
protocol data unit
PE
emergency proving period
peripheral equipment
phase-encoded [recording]
PEP
peak envelope power (of a radio transmitter)
pF
picofarad
PF
power factor
PFM
pulse-frequency modulation
PHS
personal handy phone system
PI
protection interval
PIC
plastic insulated cable
presubscribed interexchange carrier
PIN
personal identification number(s)
ping
packet Internet groper
PIV
peak inverse voltage
PLA
programmable logic array
PLL
phase-locked loop
PLN
private line network
PL/I
programming language 1
PLR
pulse link repeater
PLS
physical signaling sublayer
pm
phase modulation
PM
mean power
preventive maintenance
protocol machine
pulse modulation
PMB
pilot-make-busy [circuit]
PMO
program management office
PNNI
private network-to-network interface (signaling)
POC
point of contact
processor outage control
POI
point of interface
POP
point of presence
POSIX
Portable Operating System Interface for Computer
Environments

POT
point of termination
POTS
plain old telephone service
PP
polarization-preserving [optical fiber]
P-P
peak-to-peak [value]
P/P
point-to-point
PPDU
presentation protocol data unit
PPM
pulse-position modulation
pps
pulses per second
PR
pulse rate
PREMIS
premises information system
PRF
pulse-repetition frequency
PRESUB
presubscription
PRI
primary rate interface
PRILOC
primary location
PRM
pulse-rate modulation
PRMD
private management domain
PROM
programmable read-only memory
PROVINT
provisioning interval
PRR
pulse repetition rate
PRSL
primary area switch locator
PS
permanent signal
PSAP
public service answering point
presentation service access point
PSDN
public switched digital network
PSDS
public switch digital services
psi
pounds [force] per square inch
PSK
phase-shift keying
PSN
public switched network
PSPDN
public switched packet data network
p-static
precipitation static
PSTN
public switched telephone network
PSWAC
Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee
PSWN
public safety wireless network
PTE
path terminating equipment
PTF
patch and test facility
PTM
pulse-time modulation
PTT
postal, telephone, and telegraph
push-to-talk [operation]

PTTC
paper tape transmission code
PTTI
precise time and time interval
PU
power unit
PUC
public utility commission
public utilities commission

PV
parameter value
PVC
permanent virtual circuit
polyvinyl chloride [insulation]

pW
picowatt
PWM
pulse-width modulation [deprecated]
pWp
picowatt, psophometrically weighted
pWp0
picowatts, relative to a 0TLP
PWT
Personal Wireless Telecommunications
pX
peak envelope power (in dB)
PX
peak envelope power
peak envelope power (in watts)

pY
mean power [in dB]
PY
mean power [in watts]
pZ
carrier power [in dB]
PZ
carrier power [in watts]
Q
speech-to-speech-correlated-noise ratio
QA
quality assurance
QAM
quadrature amplitude modulation
QC
quality control
QCIF
quarter common intermediate format
QMR
qualitative material requirement
QOS
quality of service
QPSK
quadrature phase-shift keying
QRC
quick reaction capability
QRS
quasi-random signal
QRY
query
QSS
quality surveillance system
QTY
quantity
QSTAG
Quadripartite Standardization Agreement
R
resistance (ohms)
ring
ring conductor
route service
R1
ring
ring conductor
racon
radar beacon
rad
radian
radiation absorbed dose

radar
radio detection and ranging
RADHAZ
electromagnetic radiation hazards
RADINT
radar intelligence
RAM
random access memory
reliability, availability, and maintainability

R&D
research and development
RATT
radio teletypewriter system
RBOC
Regional Bell Operating Company
RbXO
rubidium-crystal oscillator
RC
reception control
reflection coefficient
resource controller
retransmission counter
RCC
radio common carrier
RCM
reject connect modify message
remote carrier module
RCVR
receiver
RDES
remote data entry system
RDS
radio digital system
RDT
radio digital terminal
RDF
radio direction-finding
RE
return error
remote entry
REA
Rural Electrification Administration
REC
receiver
REJ
reject
REL
release message
REM
remote equipment module
REN
ringer equivalency number
RES
radio equipment and systems
resume message
RGB
red-green-blue
rf
radio frequency
range finder

RFI
radio frequency interference
RFP
request for proposal
RFQ
request for quotation
RH
relative humidity
RHR
radio horizon range
RI
routing indicator
RID
response ID
RISC
reduced instruction set chip
RJ
registered jack
reference number
reject
RJE
remote job entry
RL
restoral limit
RLC
release complete message
RLMS
return loss measuring set
RLSD
released message
rms
root-mean-square [deviation]
RNR
receive not ready
RO
read only
receive only
reorder
ROA
recognized operating agency
ROH
receiver off-hook
ROC
required operational capability
ROM
read-only memory
ROSE
remote operations service element protocol
RP
restoration priority
RPI
radio port intermediary
RPLY
reply
rpm
revolutions per minute
RPM
rate per minute
rps
revolutions per second
RPT
radio personal terminal
RQ
repeat-request
RR
receive ready
repetition rate
return result
RSA
rural service area
RSC
reset-circuit message
RSCM
reset confirmation message
RSM
remote switching module
signaling-route-set-test message
RSL
received signal level
RSRM
reset request message
RSRT
signaling route set test control
RSS
remote switching system
rss
root-sum-square
RST
reset circuit
RT
radio termination
R/T
real time
RTA
remote trunk arrangement
RTA
transfer allowed control
RTB
retransmission buffer
RTC
restart confirmation
RTCC
transfer-controlled control
RTM
remote test module
RTPC
transfer prohibited control
RTR
restart request
RTRC
transfer-restricted control
RTS
request to send
RTTY
radio teletypewriter
RTU
remote terminal unit
RTX
request to transmit
RVA
reactive volt-ampere
RVWG
Reliability and Vulnerability Working Group
RWI
radio and wire integration
RX
receive
receiver

RZ
return-to-zero [code]
s
second
S
supervisory function bit
SABME
set asynchronous balanced mode extended
SAC
service access code
SAL
service affecting limit
SAM
subsequent-address message
SAP
service access point
SAPI
service access point identifier
SAR
special access request
SARTS
switched access remote test system
SAS
switched access services
SASE
specific application service elements
SBR
subsystem backup routing
SBRC
subsystem backup routing control
SBUR
software blocking/unblocking reception
SBUS
software blocking/unblocking sending
SC
service code
standard coding
SCC
specialized common carrier
switched control center
SCCP
signaling connection control part
SCCS
switched control center system
SCE
service creation environment
SCEG
experts group on speech coding
SCF
service control facility
SCP
service control point
SCPC
single channel per carrier
SCR
semiconductor-controlled rectifier
silicon-controlled rectifier

SCRT
service class routing
SCSR
single channel signaling rate
SCU
selector control unit
SDL
Specification and Description Language
SDLC
synchronous data link control
SDM
space-division multiplexing [deprecated]
SDN
software-defined network
SDO
standards development organization
SDR
software-defined radio
SDR Forum
Software Defined Radio Forum [formerly MMITS]
SDU
service data unit
SECAM
systeme electronique couleur avec memoire
sequential couleur avec memoire
SECDEF
Secretary of Defense
SECLC
secondary location
SECLOC
secondary location
SECORD
secure voice cord board
SECTEL
secure telephone
SECTLV
secondary transmission level point
SEG
experts group on security
SEL
selector
SES
satellite earth station(s)
severely errored second(s)
SETAMS
systems engineering, technical assistance, and management
services

SEVAS
Secure Voice Access System
S-F
store-and-forward
SF
single-frequency [signaling]
status field
SG
study group
SGDF
supergroup distribution frame
S/H
sample and hold
SHA
sidereal hour angle
SHARES
Shared Resources (SHARES) HF Radio Program
SHF
super high frequency
SI
International System of Units
service indicator
status indicator
SIB
status indication “B” (“busy”)
SID
sudden ionospheric disturbance
SIE
status indication “E” (“Emergency Alignment”)
SIF
signaling information field
signal information field
SIGINT
signals intelligence
SIM
subscriber identity module
SINAD
signal-plus-noise-plus-distortion to noise-plus-distortion
ratio

SIO
service information octet
SIT
special information tone
S()
chromatic dispersion slope
SLC
signaling link code
SLD
superluminescent diode [see superluminescent LED ]
SLI
service logic interpreter
SLM
signaling link management
single longitudinal mode
SLP
service logic program
SLS
signaling link selection code
SLTA
signaling link test message acknowledgment
SLTC
signaling link test control
SLTM
signaling link test message
SMAS
switched maintenance access system
SMDF
subscriber main distribution frame
subscriber main distributing frame
SMDR
station message-detail recording
SMF
single-mode fiber
SMH
signaling message handling
SMR
specialized mobile radio
SMS
service management system
SMSA
standard metropolitan statistical area
SMTP
simple mail transport protocol
SNA
shared network arrangement
SNI
signaling network interworking
SNMP
simple network management protocol
SNR
signal-to-noise ratio
subsystem-normal-routing (message)
SOH
start-of-heading character
SOM
start of message
sonar
sound navigation and ranging
SONET
synchronous optical network
SOP
standard operating procedure
SOR
start of record
subsystem-out-of-service-request message
SOW
statement of work
SP
signal processor
signaling point
SPC
stored-program control
signaling point code
SPCS
stored-program control system
SPDU
session protocol data unit
SPE
synchronous payload envelope
SPNB
some-primary / no backup
SPOT
secondary location point of termination
signaling point of termination
SPRC
signaling process control
SPS
signaling protocol and switching
SPSB
some-primary / some backup
(S+N)/N
signal-plus-noise-to-noise ratio
sr
steradian
SR
service request
S/R
send and receive
SRC
service request confirmation
SRM
signaling route management
SRO
standards related organization
SRT
subsystem routing status test message
SRTC
subsystem-routing status test control
SSB
single-sideband [transmission]
SSBAM
single-sideband amplitude modulation
SSB-SC
single-sideband suppressed carrier [transmission]
SSD
second start dial
SSF
subservice field
SSN
station serial number
subsystem number
SSP
service switching point
service signaling point
signal service point
subsystem-prohibited message
SSPC
subsystem-prohibited control
SSR
side-mode suppression ratio
SS7
Signaling System No. 7
SST
subsystem-status-test message
service transfer point
SSTC
subsystem status test control
SSUPS
solid-state uninterruptible power system
ST
end-of-pulsing signal
start signal
STALO
stabilized local oscillator
STANAG
Standardization Agreement [NATO]
STD
subscriber trunk dialing
state transition diagram
STFS
standard time and frequency signal [service]
standard time and frequency service

STL
standard telegraph level
studio-to-transmitter link

STM
signaling traffic management
STP
standard temperature and pressure
signal transfer part
signal transfer point

STS
synchronous transport signal
STS-1
synchronous transport signal level 1
STS-n
synchronous transport signal level n
STS POH
synchronous transport signal path overhead
STS PTE
synchronous transport signal path terminating equipment
STU
secure telephone unit
STX
start-of-text character
SU
signaling unit
signal unit
SUB
substitute character
SUPERNET
Sjared Im;ocemsed {erspma; Radop Metwprl
SUS
suspend message
SVC
switched virtual circuit
SWR
standing wave ratio
SX
simplex signaling
SXS
step-by-step switching system
step-by-step system
SYN
synchronous idle character
SYNTRAN
synchronous transmission
SYSGEN
system generation
T
tera (1012)
tip
tip conductor
T1
1st ANSI Telecommunications Standards Committee
tip
tip conductor
T1AG
T1 Advisory Group
T1A1
T1 committee on Performance and Signal Processing
T1E1
T1 committee on Interfaces, Power and Protection for
Networks

T1EDH
T1 committee on Electronic Data Handling
T1M1
Internetwork Operations, Administration, Maintenance, and
Provisioning (IOAM&P)

T1P1
T1 committee on Wireless/Mobile Services and Systems
T1S1
T1 committee on Services, Architectures, and Signaling
T1X1
T1 committee on Digital Hierarchy and Synchronization
TADIL
tactical data information link
TADIL-A
tactical data information link-A
TADIL-B
tactical data information link-B
TADS
teletypewriter automatic dispatch system
TADSS
Tactical Automatic Digital Switching System
TAI
International Atomic Time
TASC
telecommunications alarm surveillance and control (system)
TASI
time-assignment speech interpolation
TAT
trans-Atlantic telecommunication (cable)
TB
transmission buffer
TC
toll center
technical committee
transport connection
TCAP
transaction capability control part (of SS7)
transaction capabilities application part
TCAS
T-carrier administration system
TCB
trusted computing base
TCBC
changeback control
TCC
telecommunications center
TCCF
Tactical Communications Control Facility
TCF
technical control facility
transfer controlled
TCIC
trunk circuit identification code
TCIF
Telecommunication Industry Forum
TCL
terminal coupling loss
TCLw
weighted terminal coupling loss
TCM
time-compression multiplexing
TCOC
changeover control
TCP
transmission control protocol
TCPAP
transaction capabilities control part
TCPIP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
TCRC
controlled rerouting control
TCS
trusted computer system
TCSP
tandem cross section program
TCU
teletypewriter control unit
TCVXO
temperature compensated-voltage controlled crystal
oscillator

TCXO
temperature controlled crystal oscillator
TD
time delay
transmitter distributor

TDAS
traffic data administration program
TDD
telecommunications device for the deaf
time division duplex
TDEA
Triple Data Encryption Algorithm
TDM
time-division multiplexing
TDMA
time-division multiple access
time division multiplex
TDR
traffic distribution request
TE
transverse electric [mode]
terminal equipment
TED
trunk encryption device
TEI
terminal endpoint identifier
TEK
traffic encryption key
TEM
transverse electric and magnetic [mode]
TEMPEST
compromising emanations
TEMS
telecommunications management system
TERM
terminal
TFA
transfer-allowed signal
TFC
transfer-controlled signal
TFLAP
T-carrier fault-locating applications program
TFMI
traffic mix information
TFP
transfer-prohibited signal
TFPC
Toll Fraud Prevention Committee
TFR
transfer-restricted (signal)
TFRC
forced rerouting control
TFS
trunk forecasting system
TFTS
Terrestrial Flight Telephone System
TGID
trunk group identification
TGM
trunk group multiplexer
TGSN
trunk group serial number
THD
total harmonic distortion
THF
tremendously high frequency
THz
terahertz
TIA
Telecommunications Industry Association
TIE
time interval error
TIFF
tag image file format
TIP
terminal interface processor
TK
response timer
TL
Transport Layer
transmission level
TLAC
link availability control
TLN
trunk link network
TLP
transmission level point
TL/PVC
Transport Layer / permanent virtual circuit
TL/SVC
Transport Layer / switched virtual circuit
TLV
transmission level
TM
transverse magnetic [mode]
transmission and multiplexing
TMD
trunk main distributing
TMDF
trunk main distributing frame
TMN
telecommunications management network
TMS
time-multiplexed switch
TNDS
total network data system
TNOP
total network operations plan
TP
test pad
test pattern
toll point
TPDU
transport protocol data unit
TPT
test progress tone
TQ
transmission quality
TQTF
Transmission Quality Task Force
TRA
traffic routing and administration
TRANSEC
transmission security
TRC
transverse redundancy check
TRCC
signaling link congestion control
TRD
timed release disconnect
TRF
tuned radio frequency
TRFTYP
traffic type
TRI
traffic routing information
TRI-TAC
tri-services tactical [equipment]
TRM
termination
TRM TYP
termination type
TRMTR also Xmtr
transmitter
TS
trunk side
TSB
Telecommunication Standardization Bureau
TSC
technical subcommittee
TSFC
signaling traffic flow control
TSI
time-slot interchange
TSK
transmission security key
TSP
Telecommunications Service Priority [system]
traffic service position
TSPS
traffic service position system
TSR
telecommunications service request
terminate and stay resident
trunk service record
testing services request
TSRC
signaling routing control
TSS
trunk servicing system
TTC
Telecommunication Technology Committee (Japanese)
TTL
transistor-transistor logic
TTTN
tandem tie trunk network
TTY
teletypewriter
TTY/TDD
telecommunications device for the deaf
TUP
telephone user part
TV
television
TW
traveling wave
TWT
traveling wave tube
TWTA
traveling wave tube amplifier
TWX®
teletypewriter exchange service
TX
transmit
transmitter

TXC
transmission control
U
unnumbered
UA
unnumbered acknowledgment
user agent
UAV
unmanned air vehible
UBA
unblocking-acknowledgment message
UBL
unblocking message
UCC
universal commercial code
UCD
uniform call distribution
UDP
User Datagram Protocol
UHF
ultra high frequency
UI
unit interval
unnumbered information
UIM
user identity module
UIS
user-in-service
UITS
unacknowledged information transfer service
ULF
ultra low frequency
U/L
uplink
UNI
unidirectional
user-network interface
UP
user part
UPN
user provided number
UPS
uninterruptible power supply
UPT
Universal Personal Telecommunications [service]
UPTAN
Universal Personal Telecommunications access number
URL
universal routing locator
USB
upper sideband
universal serial bus
USBS
user signaling bearer service
USDA
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USFJ
U.S. Forces, Japan
USFK
U.S. Forces, Korea
USNO
U.S. Naval observatory
USOC
universal service order code
USR
user-to-user information message
USTA
U.S. Telephone Association  [formerly USITA]

UT
Universal Time
UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
uv
ultraviolet
UWCC
Universal Wireless Communications Consortium
V
volt
normalized frequency

VA
value-added [network service]
volt-ampere

Vac
volts, alternating current
VAN
value-added network
VAR
value added reseller
VARISTAR
variable resistor
vars
volt-amperes reactive
VC
vacant code
virtual circuit
VCC
virtual channel connection
VCL
virtual channel link
VCO
voltage-controlled oscillator
VCXO
voltage-controlled crystal oscillator
V/D
voice/data
Vdc
volts, direct current
VDCL
virtual data link capability (protocol)
VDU
video display unit
visual display unit

VER
version identification
version number
VF
voice frequency
VFCT
voice frequency carrier telegraph
VFCTG
voice frequency carrier telegraph
VFDF
voice frequency distribution frame
VFO
variable-frequency oscillator
VFTG
voice-frequency telegraph
VHF
very high frequency
VITS
vertical interval test signal
VIU
voiceband interface unit
VLAN
virtual local area network
VLF
very low frequency
V/m
volts per meter
VNL
via net loss
VNLF
via net loss factor
vocoder
voice-coder
VOD
video on demand
voice over data (link)
vodas
voice-operated device anti-sing
vogad
voice-operated gain-adjusting device
VoIP
voice over Internet 
[protocol]

volcas
voice-operated loss control and echo/signaling suppression

vox
voice-operated relay circuit
voice operated transmit

VRC
vertical redundancy check
VSAT
very small aperture terminal
VSB
vestigial sideband [transmission]
vestigial sideband [modulation]
VSELP
vector sum excited linear prediction
VSM
vestigial sideband modulation
VSWR
voltage standing wave ratio
VT
virtual terminal
virtual tributary
VTU
video teleconferencing unit
vu
volume unit
W
Watt
WADS
wide area data service
WAIS
Wide Area Information Server
WAN
wide area network
WAND
wireless ATM network demonstrator
WARC
World Administrative Radio Conference
WATM
wireless asynchronous transfer mode
WATS
Wide Area Telecommunications Service
Wide Area Telephone Service

WAWS
Washington Area Wideband System
WMCCS
Worldwide Military Command and Control System
WDM
wavelength-division multiplexing
WG
working group
WHSR
White House Situation Room
WI
wink
WIN
wireless information network
WWMCCS Intercomputer Network
WITS
Washington Integrated Telecommunications System
WLAN
wireless local area network
WLL
wireless local loop
wmATM
wireless mobile ATM
WORM
write once, read many times
wpm
words per minute
wps
words per second
WPBX
wireless PBX
WPS
Wireless Priority Service (Program)
WRU
who-are-you [character]
WS
workstation
W3C
World Wide Web Consortium
WTN
working telephone number
wv
working voltage
WVDC
working voltage direct current
WWAN
wireless wide area network
WWDSA
worldwide digital system architecture
WWMCCS
Worldwide Military Command and Control System
WWW
World Wide Web
XB
crossbar
XBT
crossbar tandem
XID
exchange identification
XMIT
transmit
XMSN
transmission
XMTD
transmitted
Xmtr  also
TRMTR

transmitter
XO
crystal oscillator
XOFF
transmitter off
XON
transmitter on
XT
crosstalk
XTAL
crystal
Z
impedance
Zulu time
ZBTSI
zero-byte time slot interchange
ZD
zero defects
Zo
characteristic impedance
0TLP
zero transmission level point

This HTML version of Telecom Glossary 2K was last generated on Wed May 8 15:36:48 MDT 2002.