Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

Synonym doubly clad fiber.

World Wide Web Consortium

A thin slice of semiconducting material, such as a silicon crystal, upon which microcircuits are constructed by diffusion and deposition of various materials.
Note: Millions of individual circuit elements, constituting hundreds of microcircuits, may be constructed on a single wafer. The individual microcircuits are separated by scoring and breaking the wafer into individual chips ("dice").

Acronym for Wide Area Information Servers. A distributed text searching system that uses the protocol standard ANS Z39.50 to search index databases on remote computers.
Note 1: WAIS libraries are most often found on the Internet.
Note 2: WAIS allows users to discover and access information resources on the network without regard to their physical location.
Note 3: WAIS software… (Read More →)

A graphic image that serves as a background for a Web page or for a computer operating system's screen.

Acronym for wide area network.

Relative to jitter and swim, long-term random variations of the significant instants of a digital signal from their ideal positions.
Note 1: Wander variations are those that occur over a period greater than 1 s (second).
Note 2: Jitter, swim, wander, and drift have increasing periods of variation in that order.

Wireless Application Protocol

The practice whereby Resp Orgs, either directly or indirectly through an affiliate, reserve Toll-Free Numbers from the 800 Service Management System (SMS/800) without having an actual Toll-Free Subscriber for whom those numbers are being reserved.

Synonym warm restart.

1. A sequence of operations that is performed to reset a previously running system, after an unintentional shutdown. Synonym warm start.
2. In computer operations, the restarting of equipment, after a sudden shutdown, that allows reuse of previously retained initialized input data, retained programs, and retained output queues.
Note 1: A warm restart may be needed after a program failure.… (Read More →)

Synonym warm restart.

A statutory exemption pertaining to the acquisition of telecommunications systems that meet the exclusionary criteria of the Warner Amendment, Public Law 97-86, 1 December 1981, which is also known as the Brooks Bill.
Note: Use of FTS2000 by U. S. Government agencies is mandatory when telecommunications are required. However, the Warner Amendment excludes the mandatory use of FTS2000 in instances… (Read More →)

1. A copyright-protection method of embedding a code into a digital audio or video file to attempt to thwart piracy or unlicenced use.
2. In desktop publishing, an inserted (and usually faint) overlay of an image or text onto pages of a document.
Note: The watermark is usually visible on the computer screen in WYSIWIG fashion and on the printed… (Read More →)

Acronym for Wide Area Telecommunications Service.

See Maxwell's equations.

At a point in an electromagnetic wave, the ratio of the electric field strength to the magnetic field strength.
Note 1: If the electric field strength is expressed in volts per meter and the magnetic field strength is expressed in ampere-turns per meter, the wave impedance will have the units of ohms. The wave impedance,Z,of an electromagnetic wave is given… (Read More →)

A device used to exclude unwanted frequency components, such as noise or other interference, of a wave.
Note: Traps are usually tunable to permit selection of unwanted or interfering signals. [From Weik '89]

The representation of a signal as a plot of amplitude versus time.

The surface defined by the locus of points that have the same phase, i.e., have the same path length from the source. [After 2196]
Note 1: The wavefront is perpendicular to the ray that represents an electromagnetic wave.
Note 2: The plane in which the electric and magnetic field vectors lie is tangential to the wavefront at every point.
Note… (Read More →)

A material medium that confines and guides a propagating electromagnetic wave.
Note 1: In the microwave regime, a waveguide normally consists of a hollow metallic conductor, usually rectangular, elliptical, or circular in cross section. This type of waveguide may, under certain conditions, contain a solid or gaseous dielectric material.
Note 2: In the optical regime, a waveguide used as a… (Read More →)

See dispersion.

Scattering (other than material scattering) that is attributable to variations of geometry and refractive index profile of an optical fiber.

The distance between points of corresponding phase of two consecutive cycles of a wave.
Note: The wavelength, , is related to the propagation velocity, v, and the frequency, f, by = v/f.

Of an optical source during a specified period, the maximum deviation of the peak wavelength from its mean value.

In optical fiber communications, any technique by which two or more optical signals having different wavelengths may be simultaneously transmitted in the same direction over one fiber, and then be separated by wavelength at the distant end.

Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access

Abbreviation for wavelength-division multiplexing.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network

A bit intentionally written on a diskette with a weak magnetic field strength that may be interpreted as zero or one and that is written as part of a method of copy protection. [2382-pt.8]

An optical fiber in which the refractive index contrast is small (substantially less than 1%).

See World Wide Web.

A user interface (usually graphical) to hypertext information on the World Wide Web.

Synonym spider.

An HTML (hypertext markup language) document available on the World Wide Web. [Bahorsky]

Synonyms Web site, Web server.

An yyHTML document accessible on the World Wide Web. [Bahorsky]
Note: The number and types of features that can be offered on a web page is growing almost exponentially.

Loosely synonymous with portal. See droid.

See Internet phone.

A confederation of (usually linked) Web sites that serve a particular special interest group or that have similar or related content. [Bahorsky]

A software program or server computer equipped to offer World Wide Web access.
Note: A web server accommodates requests from users, retrieves requested files or applications, and issues error messages. [Bahorsky]

One or more web pages available on the World Wide Web, usually consisting of a home page and often additional pages accessed via the home page via hyperlinks. [Bahorsky]
Note: Web sites have been expanded and now provide many online services such as free e-mail, news, chat, and personalized functions like stock quotes, local weather, and sports. Web sites get… (Read More →)

Synonym droid. See also spider.

Synonym cybernaut. See also droid.

The concept of providing Internet access (usually Web access and e-mail) in a format that can be viewed on a standard television set rather than on the customer's computer. The service usually consists of a set top box that is connected to the user's television, a keyboard, and a telephone line.

A person or group of people responsible for the design, implementation, management, and maintenance of a Web site.
Note: Webmastery often includes the fields of network configuration, interface, and graphics design, software development, business strategy, writing, marketing, and project management. [Bahorsky]

The virtual space created by the World Wide Web or a subset of that space occupied by a particular Web site. [After Bahorsky]

See e-zine.

A measurement of traffic operating work which is used to express the relative time required to handle the various kinds of calls or work functions, and which is weighted to reflect appropriate degrees of waiting to serve time. [47 CFR Pt.36-A]

A network having a loss that varies with frequency in a predetermined manner, and which network is used for improving or correcting transmission characteristics, or for characterizing noise measurements.

Wired Equivalent Privacy

Weighted Fair Queuing

A flexible rod antenna, usually between 1/10 and 5/8 wavelength long, supported on a base insulator.

The area or population which does not receive interference-free primary service from an authorized AM station or does not receive a signal strength of at least 1 mV/m from an authorized FM station. [47CFR]

The maximum system-permissible excursion of the video signal in the white direction. [After SMPTE]

In television technology, the reduction of gain applied to light areas in picture signal (corresponding to the midrange light value in the picture).
Note: The gain in signal amplitude is small compared to the total peak-to-peak picture signal. Measuring the differential gain yields a quantitative evaluation of this effect. The effect of white compression beyond bandwidth limiting is a reduction… (Read More →)

1. In an amplitude-modulated facsimile system, transmission in which the maximum transmitted power corresponds to the minimum density, i.e., the white area, of the object.
2. In a frequency-modulated facsimile system, transmission in which the lowest transmitted frequency corresponds to the minimum density i.e., the white area, of the object.

Noise having a frequency spectrum that is continuous and uniform over a specified frequency band.
Note: White noise has equal power per hertz over the specified frequency band. Synonym additive white gaussian noise.

1. A hard copy telephone directory listing of subscriber names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
Note: White pages is associated with the residential subscriber listings in the standard directories distributed by the Bell System before divestiture.
2. An electronic information database that contains user names and their associated network addresses, in the manner of a telephone directory.
Note: Electronic white pages… (Read More →)

In video, a peak excursion of the picture signal in the white direction. [After IEEE-100] [After SMPTE]

In video technology, that point on the chromaticity diagram having the tristimulus of a source appearing white under the viewing conditions; i.e., a spectrally nonselective sample under the illumination of viewing conditions. [After SMPTE]

1. In video teleconferencing, the light from a nonselective diffuse reflector (in the original scene) that is lighted by the normal illumination of the scene; i.e., that white with which the display device simulates reference white of the original scene. [After IEEE 100] [After SMPTE]
2. In the context of video production, the luminance of a white card having 90%… (Read More →)

In facsimile systems, the signal resulting from scanning a minimum-density area, i.e., the white area, of the object.

In a Web page, line feeds, carriage returns, spaces, and other typed characters not visible through the browser display window but considered part of the content of a Web page. [After Bahorsky]

A feature of an Internet videoconferencing program that allows participants to use drawing and/or annotation tools to develop collaborative images or to annotate documents that can be viewed by all videoconference participants simultaneously. [After Bahorsky]

A transmission-control character used for (a) switching on an answer-back unit in the station with which the connection has been established, (b) triggering the receiving unit to transmit an answer-back code to the terminal that transmitted the WRU signal, and (c) initiating a response that might include station identification, an indication of the type of equipment that is in service,… (Read More →)

1. An Internet program or a UNIXTM command that displays personal information ( e.g., full name, address, company name, phone number, e-mail address, and log-in status) for an account holder, which information is also used by an Internet network information center (InterNIC) to enable users to identify the existence of a given domain name or the owner of a given… (Read More →)

Wireless Intercarrier Communications Interface Specification

See WAIS.

A physical or logical network that provides data communications to a larger number of independent users than are usually served by a local area network (LAN) and is usually spread over a larger geographic area than that of a LAN.
Note 1: WANs may include physical networks, such as Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), X.25 networks, and T1 networks.
Note… (Read More →)

A toll service offering for customer dial type telecommunications between a given customer station and stations within specified geographic rate areas employing a single access line between the customer location and the serving central office. Each access line may be arranged for either outward (OUT-WATS) or inward (IN-WATS) service or both. [47 CFR Pt.36-A]
Note: The offering is for fixed-rate… (Read More →)

A set of two or more adjacent tracks written on a diskette with the same data, as part of a method of copy protection. [2382-pt.8]

1. The property of any communications facility, equipment, channel, or system in which the range of frequencies used for transmission is greater than
0. 1 % of the midband frequency.
Note: "Wideband" has many meanings depending upon application. "Wideband" is often used to distinguish it from "narrowband,"where both terms are subjectively defined relative to the implied context.
2. In communications… (Read More →)

A communication channel of a bandwidth equivalent to twelve or more voice grade channels. [47 CFR Pt.36-A]

1. A modem whose modulated output signal can have an essential frequency spectrum that is broader than that which can be wholly contained within, and faithfully transmitted through, a voice channel with a nominal 4-kHz bandwidth.
2. A modem whose bandwidth capability is greater than that of a narrowband modem.

Synonym reasonableness check.

A variable used in searches and comparisons (usually signified by an asterisk "*") to denote that any value may be returned.
Note: For example, a search of a database for the character string "fire*" could return "firewall," "fire station," "firebug," etc.

1. A character that may be substituted for any of a defined subset of all possible characters.
Note 1: In high-frequency (HF) radio automatic link establishment, the wildcard character "?" may be substituted for any one of the 36 characters, "A" through "Z" and "0" through "
9. "
Note 2: Whether the wildcard character represents a single character or… (Read More →)

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

Abbreviation for WWMCCS Intercomputer Network.

1. In fiber optics, a band of wavelengths at which an optical fiber is sufficiently transparent for practical use in communications applications. [After FAA] Synonyms spectral window, transmission window.
2. In imagery, a portion of a display surface in which display images pertaining to a particular application can be presented, usually by using a graphical user interface (GUI).
Note: Different… (Read More →)

Sectioning of a video display area into two or more separate regions for the purpose of displaying images from different sources.
Note: In windowing, one window could display data, another motion video from a remote site, and another, graphics.

In telephone switching systems, a single supervisory pulse, i.e., the momentary presence of, or interruption of, a supervisory signal.
Note: An example of a wink is the momentary flash of a supervisory light on an attendant's switchboard.

In telephone switching systems, recurring pulsing in which the off-condition is relatively short compared to the on-condition.
Note: On key-operated telephone instruments, the hold position, i.e., the hold condition, of a line is often indicated by wink pulsing the associated lamp at 120 pulses per minute. During 6% of the pulse period the lamp is off and 94% of the… (Read More →)

An off-hook condition applied to the NI (network interface) by the CI (customer installation) for a timed interval that indicates the CI recognizes a connect signal from the network and will be ready to receive address signals after return to on-hook. [T1.405-1989]

The location of one or more local switching systems; a location where customer loops converge. [T1.222-1991]

Synonym cybercommunity.

Systems employing restricted radiation devices in which the radio frequency energy is conducted or guided along wires or in cables, including electric power and telephone lines. [NTIA]

Descriptive of a network or terminal that uses electromagnetic waves (including rf, infrared, laser, visible light-and acoustic energy) rather than wire conductors for telecommunications. [After T1.414-1998]

Terminal access to the network which uses wireless technology. [T
1. Rpt22-1993]

In personal communications service, interfacing with a network access point by means of a standardized air interface protocol without the use of a hardwired connection to the network.

A 10-digit number used for the purpose of routing an E911 call to the appropriate Public Service Answering Point (PSAP) when that call is originating from wireless equipment. The Emergency Services Routing Digit (ESRD) identifies the cell site and sector of the call origination in a wireless call scenario. The Emergency Services Routing Key (ESRK) uniquely identifies the call in… (Read More →)

The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system refers to the voluntary emergency alerting system, whereby Commercial Mobile Service Providers may elect to transmit Alert Messages to the public. [FCC]

In Personal Communications Service (PCS), the assigning and controlling of wireless links for terminal network connections.
Note: Wireless mobility management provides an "alerting" function for call completion to a wireless terminal, monitors wireless link performance to determine when an automatic link transfer is required, and coordinates link transfers between wireless access interfaces.

A company that provides wireless telecommunication service to customers, e.g., cellular service providers, radio common carriers, paging companies. [T1.251-1996]

Any mobile terminal, mobile station, personal station, or personal terminal using non-fixed access to the network.

A term associated with a network or terminal that uses metallic wire conductors (and/or optical fibers) for telecommunications. [After T1.414-1998]

Terminal access to the network which uses wireline technology (e.g., conventional telephone sets and subscriber lines). [T
1. Rpt19-1993]

Interfacing with the network via a physical wired connection. This can be employed by either a wired or wireless terminal operating in a wired mode via a standard physical interface. [T
1. Rpt44-1995]

A telecommunications common carrier that is also engaged in the business of providing landline local exchange telephone service. [47CFR]

An intelligent, trainable Web spider. Synonyms droid, smart bot, spider.

Wireless Local Area Network

Warehouse Management System

Wireless Number Portability

A character string or a bit string considered to be an entity for some purpose.
Note: In telegraph communications, six character intervals are defined as a word when computing traffic capacity in words per minute, which is computed by multiplying the data signaling rate in baud by 10 and dividing the resulting product by the number of unit intervals per… (Read More →)

The number of characters or bits in a yyword.

The use of a computer system to manipulate text.
Note: Examples of word processing functions include entering, editing, rearranging, sorting, storing, retrieving, displaying, and printing text. Synonym text processing.

In computers and data processing systems, the portion of main storage that is used by a computer program for the temporary storage of data.

1. In automated systems, such as computer, communications, and control systems, the input, output, display, and processing equipment that provides the operator-system interface.
2. A configuration of input, output, display, and processing equipment that constitutes a stand-alone system not requiring external access.

The channels over which working traffic is normally transported. [T
1. Rpt31-1994]

A key generated by the constructive process. [After X9.69]

A revenue producing pair of wires, or its equivalent, between a customer's station and the central office from which the station is served. [47 CFR Pt.36-A]

Traffic traversing a ring normally carried in working channels, except in the event of a ring or span diversity routing, in which case it is restored on the protection channels. [T
1. Rpt31-1994]

A plan created by the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT--now, the ITU-T) that provides each telephone subscriber with a unique number. Each world telephone number consists of a country code followed by the national number. By international agreement, the number of digits in the country code plus national number is limited to a total of 15 digits. [After… (Read More →)

Synonym Coordinated Universal Time.

Also Web, WWW, W
3. A global, virtual-network based hypertext information system that uses the Internet as its transport mechanism to display computer screens (or Web pages) of graphical, video, textual, and even audio information.
Note: In a hypertext system, one navigates by clicking hyperlinks, which display another document which also contains hyperlinks. In Web navigation, the next document seen… (Read More →)

1. A computer virus capable of disrupting a computer program. [After Weik '96]
2. A self-contained program that can propagate itself through systems or networks.
Note: Worms are often designed to use up available resources such as storage or processing time. [ANSDIT]
3. [An] independent program that replicates from machine to machine across network connections, often clogging networks and computer… (Read More →)

That hour of the year during which the median noise over any radio path is at a maximum.
Note: This hour is considered to coincide with the hour during which the greatest transmission loss occurs.

Wireless Port Request

Wireless Port Request Response

Wireless Priority Service

1. In a network using dual counter-rotating yyring architecture, reconfiguration to circumvent a failed link or node.
2. In open systems architecture, the use of a network to connect two other networks, thus providing an increased interaction capability between the two connected networks.
Note: Recurring application of wrapping usually results in a hierarchical structure. [From Weik '89]

1. To make a permanent or transient recording of data in a storage device or on a data medium.
2. [A] fundamental operation in an information system (IS) that results only in the flow of information from a subject to an object. [INFOSEC-99]

An access right that gives permission to yywrite data.
Note: Write access may grant permission to append, modify, delete, or create data. [2382-pt.8]

The minimum time interval between the starts of successive yywrite cycles of a storage device that has separate reading and writing cycles.

A magnetic head capable of writing only.

See write-protect tab.

A movable or removable tab, label, or other device, the presence or absence of which on the casing of a recording medium prevents writing on the medium.
Note: An example of a yywrite-protect tab is the sliding tab on a 3½-inch (
8. 85-cm) magnetic diskette of the type used in conjunction with desktop computers.

See who-are-you (WRU) character.

Synonym who-are-you character (WRU).

Web Services

Web Services Discovery and Device Profile

Web Services Architecture

Web Services Definition Language

Web Services Distributed Management

Wireless Telecommunications Systems Committee

Time signal radio station operated by NIST

World Wide Web

A variety of search engine that automatically moves through Web hyperlinks to compile databases of available URLs (universal resource locators). [After Bahorsky]

(Pronounced "wizzy-wig. ") Abbreviation for "what you see is what you get;" A descriptive designation for a form of visual display or graphical user interface (gui) that shows (on the screen) the actual appearance of a document being processed. [After Bahorsky]