Glossary

That part of the chromatic dispersion (spreading) that occurs in a single-mode fiber as some of the light passes through the cladding and travels at a higher velocity than the signal in the core, due to the cladding

The variations caused by subtle differences in the geometry and fiber index profile of an optical fiber.

(1) The distance between two corresponding points in a series of waves. (2) With respect to optical fiber communications, the distance an electromagnetic wave travels in the time it takes to oscillate through a complete cycle. Wavelengths of light are measured in nanometers or micrometers. Wavelength is preferred over the term frequency when describing light.

A wave division multiplexer

The variation in an optical parameter caused by a change in the operating wavelength.

Way- The amount of possible contacts on a connector.  For instance a D9W has 9 pins and therefore there are 9 possible connections.

A method of carrying multiple channels through a fiber at the same time (multiplexing) whereby signals within a small spectral range are transmitted at different wavelengths through the same optical-fiber cable. See also frequency division multiplexing.

A unit covering 2G and 3G, also see Broadband

In optical transmission, a wavelength at which attenuation is low, allowing light to travel greater distances through the fiber before requiring a repeater.

(1) Another name for a wiring or telecommunications closet. (2) A telephone company building where all local telephone cables converge for service by telephone switching systems. Also called central office or exchange center.

A piece of equipment or location at which twisted-pair cabling is terminated to permit reconnection, testing, and rearrangement. Cross-connects are usually located in equipment rooms and telecommunications closets and are used to connect horizontal cable to backbone cable. Wire cross-connects typically use a 66- or 110-block. These blocks use jumpers to connect the horizontal portion of the block to the backbone portion of the block.

A break in a segment or cable that causes an error. A wire fault might also be caused by a break in the cable

A wireless bridge is a hardware component used to connect two or more network segments (LANs or parts of a LAN) that are physically and logically (by protocol) separated. It does not necessarily always need to be a hardware device, as some operating systems (such as Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and FreeBSD) provide software to bridge different protocols.

The area where horizontal cabling is connected to the work area equipment by means of a telecommunications outlet. A telecommunications outlet serves a station or desk. See also work area telecommunications outlet.

A cable used to connect equipment to the telecommunications outlet in the user work area. Sometimes called a patch cable or patch cord.