Glossary

An international organization that works under the Internet Architecture Board to research new Internet technologies. See www.irtf.org for more information.

Involves connecting two or more computer networks via gateways using a common routing technology. The result is called an internetwork (often shortened to internet).

A communication channel of copper, fiber, or wireless media between two central offices. Often, IOF refers to telephone channels that can transport voice and/or data.

Form of distortion in digital communications systems. ISI is caused by multipath propagation and nonlinear frequency response of a channel resulting from not having enough bandwidth. ISI leads to BER and causes the loss of the channel to increase.

Channel loss resulting from intersymbol interference.

Telecommunications cables that are part of the building subsystem that connect one telecommunications closet to another or a telecommunications room to the equipment room.

When describing an optical fiber connection, factors contributing to attenuation that are determined by the condition of the optical fiber itself. See also extrinsic loss.

The theoretical minimum loss that a given joint or device will have as a function of its nature. Intrinsic joint loss may also be used to describe the given theoretical minimum loss that a splice joint, coupler, or splitter may achieve.

Performance specification whereby total optical channel performance is specified, rather than performance of individual components.

The optical signal loss arising from differences in the fibers being spliced.

An intumescent is a substance that swells as a result of heat exposure, thus increasing in volume and decreasing in density.

A device that inverts the phase of a signal.

A method for making and doping glass by ion exchange.

The measure of power density at a surface upon which radiation is directed. The normal unit is watts per square centimeter.

The device used on ISDN networks to connect a local network or single machine to an ISDN network (or any non-ISDN compliant device). The ISDN terminal adapter provides line power and translates data from the LAN or individual computer for transmission on the ISDN line.