GE MDS SD Series Technical Manual page 110

DSP — Digital Signal Processing. The transceiver's DSP is the core operating unit of the trans-
ceiver through which nearly all functions depend.
DTE — Data Terminal Equipment. A device that provides data in the form of digital signals at
its output. Connects to the DCE device.
ETH — Ethernet
Ethernet Bridging — A mode of operation for the transceiver where the radio decides whether
messages are handled locally or sent intact over-the-air.
Fade Margin — The greatest tolerable reduction in average received signal strength expected
under most conditions. Provides an allowance for reduced signal strength due to multipath fad-
ing, slight antenna movement or changing atmospheric losses. A fade margin of 20 to 30 dB is
usually sufficient in most systems.
FPGA — Field Programmable Gate Array
Frame — A segment of data that adheres to a specific data protocol and contains definite start
and end points. It provides a method of synchronizing transmissions.
Gate — An operating mode of the transceiver with respect to diagnostic/management activities.
See also NODE, PEER, and ROOT.
Hardware Flow Control — A transceiver feature used to prevent data buffer overruns when
handling high-speed data from the RTU or PLC. When the buffer approaches overflow, the radio
drops the clear-to-send (CTS) line, which instructs the RTU or PLC to delay further transmission
until CTS again returns to the high state.
Host Computer — The computer installed at the master unit, which controls the collection of
data from one or more remote sites.
I/O — Input/Output
IP — Internet Protocol
Intrusive Diagnostics — A mode of remote diagnostics that queries and commands radios in a
network with an impact on the delivery of the system "payload" data. See Active messaging.
LAN — Local Area Network
LED — Light Emitting Diode
Latency — The delay (usually expressed in milliseconds) between when data is applied to TXD
(Pin 2) at one radio, until it appears at RXD (Pin 3) at the other radio.
Listen Before Transmit — A collision avoidance mechanism that attempts to allow transmis-
sion only when the channel is clear.
mA — Milliamperes (current flow)
MAC — Media Access Control
MAS — Multiple Address System. A radio system where a central master unit communicates
with several remote stations for the purpose of gathering telemetry data.
100 SD Series Technical Manual MDS 05-4846A01, Rev. I