Telecommunications terms starting with P

636 terms

program architecture For a computer program, (a) the structure, relationships, and arrangement of the components of the program, (b) the program interfaces, and (c) the…
program origin See computer program origin.
programmable Pertaining to a device that can accept instructions that alter its basic functions.
programmable logic array (PLA) An array of gates having interconnections that can be programmed to perform a specific logical function.
programmable read-only memory (PROM) A storage device that, after being written to once, becomes a read-only memory.
programmer The part of digital equipment that controls the timing and sequencing of operations. 2. A person who prepares computer programs, i.e.
programming language An artificial language that is used to generate or to express computer programs.
programming language API The interface between applications and application platforms traditionally associated with programming language specifications, such as program control…
programming system One or more programming languages and the software necessary for using these languages with particular automatic data processing equipment.
Project 25 A joint effort of U.S. Federal, state, and local governments to develop standards for interoperable digital, narrowband radios to meet public-safety user…
PROM Acronym for programmable read-only memory.
prompt An audio message played over the telephone to explain valid options to users. [Exchange 2007]
propagation The duplication of a whole plant from a range of vegetative materials; adapted for in vitro culture as micropropagation.
propagation constant For an electromagnetic field mode varying sinusoidally with time at a given frequency, the logarithmic rate of change, with respect to distance in a given…
propagation delay 1. The time required for a signal to travel from one point to another. 2. In cryptography, the delay between the presentation of a clear text block to a…
propagation mode The manner in which radio signals travel from a transmitting antenna to a receiving antenna, such as ground wave, sky wave, direct wave, ground…
propagation path obstruction A man-made or natural physical feature that lies near enough to a radio path to cause a measurable effect on path loss, exclusive of reflection effects.
propagation time delay The time required for a signal to travel from one point to another.
proprietary information Information that is not generally known and that has competitive value, e.g., trade secrets and business information not generally known.
proprietary standard Documentation by a commercial entity specifying equipment, practices, or operations unique to that commercial entity.
proration The proportional distribution or allocation of parameters, such as noise power and transmission losses, among a number of tandem-connected items, such as…
protected communications Telecommunications delivering their protection through use of type 2 products or data encryption standard equipment. [INFOSEC-99]
protected distribution system (PDS) [A] wireline or fiber-optic distribution system used to transmit unencrypted classified national security information through an area of lesser…
protected frequency A frequency that is not to be deliberately jammed by friendly forces, usually during a specified period. [From Weik '89]
Protection For purposes of the National System of MPAs, must have existing laws or regulations that are designed and applied to afford the site with increased…
protection channel The channel allocated to transport the working traffic during diversity routing.
protection equipment Type 2 product or data encryption standard equipment that the National Security Agency has endorsed to meet applicable standards for the protection of…
protection interval (PI) In high-frequency (HF) radio automatic link establishment, the period between changes in the time-of-day portion of the time-varying randomization data…
protection mapping Information that relates a protection requirement to a security transformation that is used to satisfy the specification. [After X9.41]
protection philosophy An informal description of the overall design of a system that delineates each of the protection mechanisms employed.
protection profile (PP) An implementation-independent set of security requirements for a family or category of targets of evaluation (TOEs) that meet specified consumer needs.
protection profile family Privileges that allow an entity to act on behalf of another entity [ECMA138].
protection ratio The minimum value of the wanted-to-unwanted signal ratio, usually expressed in decibels, at the receiver input determined under specified conditions such…
protection ring One of a hierarchy of privileged modes of an information system (IS) that gives certain access rights to user programs and processes that are authorized…
protection switching (PS) A feature of a transmission entity that enables data on a failed facility to be moved to an alternate facility.
protection-critical portion of the TCB Those portions of the TCB whose normal function is to deal with the control of access between subjects and objects [TCSEC].
protective packaging [In INFOSEC,] packaging techniques for COMSEC material that discourage penetration, reveal a penetration has occurred or was attempted, or inhibit viewing…
protective technologies Special tamper-evident features and materials employed for the purpose of detecting tampering and deterring attempts to compromise, modify, penetrate…
protector In telecommunications systems, a device used to protect facilities and equipment from abnormally high voltages or currents.
protocol An action plan for a clinical trial. The plan states what the study will do, how, and why.
protocol abnormality In ISDN, a protocol event (a protocol error or other event) that indicates that a potential trouble condition exists on the ISDN interface.
protocol converter A functional unit that uses a specified algorithm to translate a bit stream from one protocol to another, for interoperation.
protocol data unit (PDU) Information that is delivered as a unit among peer entities of a network and that may contain control information, address information, or data. 2.
protocol discriminator (PD) field The first octet of the packet header that identifies the protocol used to transport the frame. [T1.509-1995]
protocol hierarchy In open systems architecture, the distribution of network protocol among the various layers of the network. [From Weik '89]
protocol translator In a communications system, the collection of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of these, that is required or used to convert the protocols…
protocol-control information The queries and replies among communications equipment to determine the respective capabilities of each end of the communications link. 2.
prototype An optional part of a "subroutine" declaration telling the Perl compiler how many and what flavor of arguments may be passed as "actual arguments", so…
Provisioning Provisioning is the act of putting a grid component into the active state so that it is available to a consumer of the service or resource it supplies.
Proxy If you own common stock in a US corporation, you have the right to vote on certain company policies and elect the board of directors by casting a proxy…
proxy server A server that receives requests intended for another server and that acts on the client's behalf (as the client's proxy) to obtain the requested service.
PRS See primary reference source.
PS (1) Physical Security. (2) Product Service.
pseudo bit-error ratio See PBER.
pseudorandom noise Noise that satisfies one or more of the standard tests for statistical randomness.
pseudorandom number generator A device that produces a stream of unpredictable, unbiased, and usually independent bits. 2.
pseudorandom number sequence An ordered set of numbers that has been determined by some defined arithmetic process but is effectively a random number sequence for the purpose for…
PSK Abbreviation for phase-shift keying.
PSN Packet Switching Node.
psophometer An instrument that provides a visual indication of the audible effects of disturbing voltages of various frequencies.
psophometric voltage Circuit noise voltage measured with a psophometer that includes a CCIF-1951 weighting network.
psophometric weighting A noise weighting established by the International Consultative Committee for Telephony (CCIF, which became CCITT and, more recently, ITU-T), designated…
psophometrically weighted dBm See dBm(psoph), dBm0p.
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
PTF Abbreviation for patch and test facility.
PTM Abbreviation for pulse-time modulation.
PTT Abbreviation for postal, telegraph, and telephone (organization). In countries having nationalized telephone and telegraph services, the organization…
PTTI Abbreviation for precise time and time interval.
public correspondence Any telecommunication which the offices and stations must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for transmission. [NTIA] [RR] 2.
public cryptography [The] Body of cryptographic and related knowledge, study, techniques, and applications that is, or is intended to be, in the public domain. [INFOSEC-99]
public data network (PDN) A network established and operated by a telecommunications administration, or a recognized private operating agency, for the specific purpose of providing…
public data transmission service A data transmission service that is established and operated by a telecommunication administration, or a recognized private operating agency, and uses a…
public key An encryption key associated with a Notes ID that is used to verify an electronic signature, encrypt a message, or identify an authenticating user.
public key certificate A unique electronic stamp stored in a Notes or Domino ID file that associates a name with a public key.
public key cryptography Public key cryptography uses a key with two parts. The public key part is used for encryption exclusively for the recipient, whose private key part is…
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) A set of policies, processes, server platforms, software and workstations used for the purpose of administering certificates and public-private key pairs…
public key validation See key validation.
public land mobile network (PLMN) A network that is established and operated by an administration or by a recognized operating agency (ROA) for the specific purpose of providing land…
public switched network (PSN) Any common carrier network that provides circuit switching among public users. Note: The term is usually applied to public switched telephone networks…
public switched NS/EP telecommunications services Those NS/EP telecommunications services utilizing public switched networks. Note: Public switched NS/EP telecommunication services may include both…
public switched telephone network (PSTN) A domestic telecommunications network usually accessed by telephones, key telephone systems, private branch exchange trunks, and data arrangements.
public utilities commission (PUC) In the United States, a state regulatory body charged with regulating intrastate utilities, including telecommunications systems.
public-key encryption A form of encryption that utilizes a unique pair of keys, one (the "public key") being openly known, and the other (the "private key"), being known only…
public-key traceability In public-key cryptography, of the transmission protocol, the characteristic that facilitates verification, by the recipient of a message, of all public…
PUC A widely used expression plasmid containing a -galactosidase gene. (See Plasmid.)
Pull Selectively start combat with a Mob, usually with a ranged attack, and then leading this Mob back to a safer area in order to separate them from other…
pull-in frequency range The maximum frequency difference between the local oscillator or clock and the reference frequency of a phase-locked loop over which the local oscillator…
pulsating direct current A direct current (dc) that changes in value at regular or irregular intervals. Note: A pulsating direct current may change in value, i.e.
Pulse A short burst of electromagnetic energy that a radar sends out in a straight line to detect a precipitation target.
pulse amplitude The magnitude of a pulse parameter, such as the field intensity, voltage level, current level, or power level.
pulse broadening An increase in pulse duration. Note: Pulse broadening may be specified by the impulse response, the root-mean-square pulse broadening, or the…
pulse carrier An electromagnetic wave that (a) consists of a series of pulses usually of constant length, amplitude, spacing, and repetition rate when not modulated and…
pulse decay time Synonym fall time.
pulse density A measure (or an expression) of the number of "ones" (marks, pulses) in relation to the total number of digit time slots transmitted. [After T1.408-1990]
pulse distortion See distortion.
Pulse Duration The time over which a radar pulse lasts. The pulse duration can be multiplied by the speed of light to determine the pulse length or pulse width.
pulse duty factor In a periodic pulse train, the ratio of the pulse duration to the pulse period.
Pulse Length The linear distance in range occupied by an individual pulse from a radar. h = c * t , where t is the duration of the transmitted pulse, c is the speed of…
pulse link repeater (PLR) A device that interfaces concatenated E&M signal paths. Note 1: A PLR converts a ground, received from the E lead of one signal path, to -48 Vdc, which is…
pulse period The reciprocal of the pulse repetition rate.