Glossary

ADSL - See Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.

algorithm - A specific procedure used to modify a signal. For example, the key to a digital compression system is the algorithm that eliminates redundancy.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - An official body within the United States delegated with the responsibility of defining standards.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) - Assigns specific letters, numbers, and control codes to the 256 different combinations of 0s and 1s in a byte.

American wire gauge (AWG) - A measurement of wire diameter the lower the AWG number, the larger the wire diameter. Copper phone wiring usually comes in 24 or 26 AWG.

analog - A continuously varying signal or wave. As with all waves, analog waves are susceptible to interference which can change the character of the wave.

ANSI - See American National Standards Institute

ASCII - See American Standard Code for Information Interchange.

asymmetric digital subsciber line (ADSL) - A group of DSL technologies that reserve more bandwidth in one direction than the other, which is advantageous for users that do not need equal bandwidth in both directions. See DSL.

asynchronous - Occuring at different times. For example, electronic mail is asynchronous communication because it does not require the sender and receiver to be connected at the same time.

asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) - A method of data transportation whereby fixed length packets are sent over a switched network. The ability to ensure reliable delivery of packets at a high rate makes it suitable for carrying voice, video, and data.

audio on demand - A type of media that delivers sound programs in their entirety whenever a listener requests the delivery.

AWG - See American Wire Gauge