Coverage Details
This dataset was created through desktop market research.
Telecommunications Supply Chain Definitions & Glossary
Core Network
Network platform: A platform is one built around one network and the same set of frequencies, infrastructure, and software.
Network software: This includes packet core network elements (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and 5G Core (5GC)), as well as the voice IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture.
Cloud-native orchestration: Orchestration is the automated arrangement and coordination of the connectivity, the resources that support it, and the digital services that surface at the top of the hierarchy. Cloud-native computing includes technologies like Kubernetes, microservices, state-optimized design, network service mesh, etc.
End-to-end network: In the telecoms industry, End-to-End (E2E) network refers to connectivity that spans access networks, the core network, and the transport network. Sometimes, vendors use E2E to include networks, but also applications that provide mission-critical services to consumers and enterprises.
Radio Access Network (RAN)
Passive antenna: Antennas with no amplification.
Active antennas system: Antennas with integrated signal amplifiers built within the unit.
MIMO platform: A Multiple-Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) platform increases data rates and data capacity by using multiple transmitters and receivers.
DAS vendor: A supplier that provides Distributed Antenna System (DAS)-related products and services.
Power amplifier: A Power Amplifier is an electronic device that receives a signal and reprocesses it to increase its power.
Envelope tracker: Approach to Radio Frequency (RF) amplifier design in which the power supply voltage applied to the RF PA is continuously adjusted to ensure that the amplifier is operating at peak efficiency for power required at each instant of transmission.
Transceiver: A transceiver is a combination of a transmitter and a receiver.
RU: A Radio Unit (RU) converts a signal sent from/to the antenna into a digital signal for transmission.
CU: A Centralized Unit (CU) is implemented through a shared hardware platform, providing support for higher layers of the protocol stack (Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)).
DU: A Distributed Unit (DU) includes baseband processing and RF functions, providing support for lower layers of the protocol stack (physical layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) and Radio Link Control (RLC))
Baseband: Original frequency of a transmission before being modulated.
Intellectual property: Intangible creations of the human intellect, such as copyrights, patents, and trademarks, which are protected by the legal systems.
SMO: Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) is an automation framework for Open Radio Access Network (RAN) radio resources as a RAN domain management platform.
RIC RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) is a software-defined component of Open RAN architecture that allows mobile operators to implement external applications to the RAN in the format of rApps or xApps.
Edge-to-Cloud
Edge infrastructure: Mall data center sites located near the populations they serve that deliver cloud computing and cached content to end users.
Edge application: Application or service delivered close to the end user.
Edge orchestration: Combines edge-cloud infrastructure, edge-cloud Consumer-Operated Services Programs (CoSP) services, and edge-based applications into a holistic, seamless offering for enterprise customers.
Transport Network
Transport Network: Optical Communication that uses signals encoded in light to transmit information in various types of telecommunications networks.
RF: A Radio Frequency (RF) signal is the wireless electromagnetic signal that extends across an area that carriers use as a form of communication. It is these signals that help 5G send information and increase access and reliability for all users (only includes frequencies up to 30 Gigahertz (GHz)).
mmWave: Millimeter Wave (mmWave) is the band of spectrum with wavelengths between 10 millimeters (30 GHz) and 1 millimeter (300 GHz).
Carrier Ethernet: A set of services specified by MEF, an organization of service providers and equipment vendors that define services to connect Ethernet Local Area Networks (LANs) within a metropolitan area.
End-to-End Infrastructure Vendors
Passive antenna: Antennas with no amplification.
Active antennas system: Antennas with integrated signal amplifiers built within the unit.
MIMO platform: An MIMO platform increases data rates and data capacity by using multiple transmitters and receivers.
DAS vendor: A supplier that provides Distributed Antenna System (DAS)-related products and services.
Power amplifier: A PA is an electronic device that receives a signal and reprocesses it to increase its power.
Envelope tracker: Approach to RF amplifier design in which the power supply voltage applied to the RF power amplifier is continuously adjusted to ensure that the amplifier is operating at peak efficiency for power required at each instant of transmission.
Transceiver: A transceiver is a combination of a transmitter and a receiver.
RU: An RU converts a signal sent from/to the antenna into a digital signal for transmission.
CU: A CU is implemented through a shared hardware platform, providing support for higher layers of the protocol stack (RRC, SDAP, and PDCP).
DU: A DU includes baseband processing and RR functions, providing support for lower layers of the protocol stack (physical layer, MAC, and RLC).
Baseband: Original frequency of a transmission before being modulated.
ASIC: An Integrated Circuit (IC) chip customized for a particular use, rather than intended for general-purpose use. For example, a chip designed to run in a digital voice recorder or a high-efficiency video codec is an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).
CPU: Electronic circuitry that executes instructions and consists of a computer program. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and Input/Output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions in the program.
GPU: A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed to manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device.
eNode B software: The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-compliant implementation of a 4G LTE base station. It consists of independent Network Functions (NFs) that implement 3GPP-compliant LTE RAN protocols namely: PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC, and S1AP.
SON: Self Organizing Networks (SONs) have functions that enable networks to configure, optimize, and self heal. These automated functions simplify operations and improve network flexibility.
vEPC: Virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) refers to the virtualization of a cellular core network in 4G using Network Function Virtualization (NFV).
GPS clock: A Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite system that provides a very precise timing service. The system uses atomic clocks to provide everyone on Earth with low-cost access to international atomic time standards
Backhaul equipment: Broadband backhaul transmission facilities, whether provided by landline communications infrastructure (including, without limitation, fiber, conduit, and related equipment and improvements).
Fronthaul equipment: Standalone radio heads and centralized baseband controllers installed and located at remote cell sites.
OSS/BSS
OSS: Operational Support Systems (OSSs) revolve around network-centric functionality like service assurance, fulfillment, asset and inventory management, and network security.
BSS: Business Support Systems (BSSs) focus on customer-centric functionality and include things like customer relationship management, billing and rating, etc.
