[An] information-system (IS) security mode of operation wherein all personnel have the clearance, but not necessarily formal access approval and need-to-know, for all information handled by an IS. [INFOSEC-99]

1. The served user's (or controller's) reference to a particular party within the context of a call.
Note 1: Multiple parties may be associated with a given call, e.g., a conference call. Moreover, there may be multiple connections associated with a single party, e.g., a simultaneous voice and video call.
Note 2: This service description assumes that there exists only… (Read More →)

In telephone systems, an arrangement in which two or more user end instruments, usually telephones, are connected to the same loop.
Note: If selective ringing is not used, individual users may be alerted by different ringing signals, such as a different number of rings or a different combination of long and short rings. Party lines remain primarily in rural areas… (Read More →)

The portion of spectrum, between limiting frequencies (or, in the optical regime, limiting wavelengths), that is transmitted with minimum relative loss or maximum relative gain.
Note 1: The limiting frequencies are defined as those at which the relative intensity or power decreases to a specified fraction of the maximum intensity or power. This decrease in power is often specified to… (Read More →)

A device that does not require a source of energy for its operation.
Note: Examples of passive devices are electrical resistors, electrical capacitors, diodes, optical fibers, cables, wires, glass lenses, and filters.

Synonym parasitic element.

1. In a satellite communications system, a satellite that only reflects signals from one Earth station to another, or from several Earth stations to several others.
Note: Although the satellite acts passively by reflecting signals, it may contain active devices for station keeping.
2. An Earth satellite intended to transmit radio communication signals by reflection. [47CFR]

A measuring instrument in the Earth exploration-satellite service or in the space research service by means of which information is obtained by reception of radio waves of natural origin. [NTIA] [RR]

See star coupler.

On a multipoint connection or a point-to-point connection using basic mode link control, any tributary station waiting to be polled or selected.