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General

Add-in:

Add-in is a term used for a software utility or other program that can be added to a primary program. Add-in should not be confused with add-on, a term for a hardware expansion unit. (However, some add-on manufacturers do call them "add-ins.")

ARP - Address Resolution Protocol. A method for finding a host's Ethernet address from its Internet address. The sender broadcasts an ARP packet containing the Internet address of another host and waits for it (or some other host) to send back its Ethernet address. Each host maintains a cache of address translations to reduce delay and loading. ARP allows the Internet address to be independent of the Ethernet address but it only works if all hosts support it. The ARP command can be used to set the IP addresses for your product.

CGI - A standard for running external programs from a World-Wide Web HTTP server. CGI specifies how to pass arguments to the executing program as part of the HTTP request. It also defines a set of environment variables. Commonly, the program will generate some HTML which will be passed back to the browser but it can also request URL redirection. A set of rules (or a program) that allows a Web Server to communications with other programs.

DDNS - Dynamic DNS. DDNS is a service that maps Internet domain names to IP addresses. DDNS serves a similar purpose to DNS: DDNS allows anyone hosting a Web or FTP server to advertise a public name to prospective users.

Dynamic DNS is an added layer on top of the standard DNS system that allows your domain name to follow your IP address automatically by having your DNS records changed when your IP address changes. If your IP changes and your DNS records don't get updated then anyone trying to locate your computers will not be able to anymore. Automatic updates to your DNS records can be done by having a software/hardware client or bookmarked URL send the information to the DDNS servers when your IP changes. The new IP address is populated into the DNS records and the entire world knows about your new IP address automatically.

Unlike DNS that only works with static IP addresses, DDNS works with dynamic IP addresses, such as those assigned by an ISP or other DHCP server. DDNS is popular with home networkers, who typically receive dynamic, frequently-changing IP addresses from their service provider. To use DDNS, one simply signs up with a provider such as (www.changeip.com) and installs network software on the host to monitor its IP address.

Compared to ordinary DNS, the disadvantage of DDNS is that additional host software, a new potential failure point on the network, must be maintained.

DHCP - A protocol that provides a means to dynamically allocate IP addresses to computers on a local area network. The system administrator assigns a range of IP addresses to DHCP and each client computer on the LAN has its TCP/IP software configured to request an IP address from the DHCP server. The request and grant process uses a lease concept with a controllable time period.

DNS - Domain Name Service - the system used to match server IP addresses to web site domain names.

DSL - Digital Subscriber Loop, A family of digital telecommunications protocols designed to allow high speed data communication over the existing copper telephone lines between end-users and telephone companies.

Dynamic ISP Accounts - some Internet Service Providers and Online Services, such as SBC Yahoo, rotate IP addresses so each time a user accesses the internet he or she uses a different IP address. Such systems may prevent the use of Networked Security devices and other networked devices. (see DDNS)

Email Notification - some Networked Security Devices such as Server solutions or Cameras can be set to e-mail authorized users access control data images or video of sensed motion or activity.

Embedded Operating System - Networked security decices that use an embedded operating system, such as Linux, operate both as a security decice and computer. Security decices with embedded operating systems can perform advanced functions, such as the ability to send data to another computer like a web site via protocols such as SOAP.

Ethernet - A widely used networking standard.

Firewall - A virtual barrier between a LAN (Local Area Network) and other networks, e.g. the Internet.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol. Network cameras equipped with an embedded operating system, such as Linux, can use FTP to send data files to another computer such as a web site.

HTML - A markup language used to structure text and multimedia documents and to set up hypertext links between documents, used extensively on the World Wide Web.

HTTP - A protocol used to request and transmit files, especially WebPages and WebPage components, over the Internet or other computer network.

Intranet - A privately maintained computer network that can be accessed only by authorized persons, especially members or employees of the organization that owns it.

IP - Internet Protocol. The IP part of TCP/IP; the protocol that is used to route a data packets from source to destination over the Internet and IP networks.

IP Address - The unique 32 bit number assigned to each computer connected to the Internet. IP numbers are used by the TCP/IP protocol to route packets of data to their destinations. The address for a host must be unique on the network. When you connect to a web server, for example, you may tell your browser to connect to (www.bluelon.com), but your computer ultimately has to translate the name to its IP address, 62.242.245.53, before the connection can be made.

ISP - Internet Service Providers - companies that provide internet access and/or web site hosting.

JPEG - A standard image format, used widely for photographs. Also known as JPG.

LAN - Local Area Network. A computer communications system limited to no more than a few miles, usually in the same building, and utilizing high-speed connections of 10 megabits to 1 gigabits per second.

Linux - a freeware implementation of UNIX originally written by Linus Torvalds, which can be used with many different operating systems. Work on the kernel is coordinated by Torvalds, who holds the copyright on a large part of it. The rest of the copyright is held by many other contributors and their employers. The kernel as a whole is available under the GNU General Public License. Linux has been used in embedded operating systems used by some advanced Access Control and Network IP Camera devices.

NAT - NAT (Network Address Translation or Network Address Translator) is the translation of an Internet Protocol address (IP address) used within one network to a different IP address known within another network. One network is designated the inside network and the other is the outside. Typically, a company maps its local inside network addresses to one or more global outside IP addresses and unmaps the global IP addresses on incoming packets back into local IP addresses. This helps ensure security since each outgoing or incoming request must go through a translation process that also offers the opportunity to qualify or authenticate the request or match it to a previous request. NAT also conserves on the number of global IP addresses that a company needs and it lets the company use a single IP address in its communication with the world.

NAT is included as part of a router and is often part of a corporate firewall. Network administrators create a NAT table that does the global-to-local and local-to-global IP address mapping. NAT can also be used in conjunction with policy routing. NAT can be statically defined or it can be set up to dynamically translate from and to a pool of IP addresses. Cisco's version of NAT lets an administrator create tables that map:

	A local IP address to one global IP address statically
	A local IP address to any of a rotating pool of global IP addresses that a company may have
	A local IP address plus a particular TCP port to a global IP address or one in a pool of them
	A global IP address to any of a pool of local IP addresses on a round-robin basis

NAT is described in general terms in RFC 1631. which discusses NAT's relationship to Classless Interdomain Routing (CIDR) as a way to reduce the IP address depletion problem. NAT reduces the need for a large amount of publicly known IP addresses by creating a separation between publicly known and privately known IP addresses. CIDR aggregates publicly known IP addresses into blocks so that fewer IP addresses are wasted. In the end, both extend the use of IPv4 IP addresses for a few more years before IPv6 is generally supported.

Network - a system of interconnected computers, including hardware and software used to connect them.

PING - A protocol that sends a message to another computer and waits for acknowledgment, often used to check if another computer on a network is reachable.

Plug-in:

Plug-in applications are programs that can easily be installed and used as part of the primary application. These application are also called helper applications. Most users wait until they need a particular plug-in before they download it.

Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or "Active Ethernet" - eliminates the need to run power to devices on a wired LAN. Using Power-over-Ethernet, installers need to run only a single CAT5 Ethernet cable that carries both power and data to each device. This allows greater flexibility and significantly decreases installation costs in many cases.

PPP - Point-to-Point Protocol. A method allowing one computer to connect to another, usually via a modem over a phone line.

Protocol - A set of formal rules describing how to transmit data, especially across a network. Low-level protocols define the electrical and physical standards to be observed, bit- and byte-ordering and the transmission and error detection and correction of the bit stream. High-level protocols deal with the data formatting, including the syntax of messages, the terminal to computer dialogue, character sets, sequencing of messages etc.

Router - an interconnection device that serves packets or frames containing certain protocols. Routers link LANs at the network layer. A device that finds the best path for a data packet to be sent from one network to another. A router does more processing than a bridge does. A router can be hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Bluelon devices typically connect to a router, hub or switch.

SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a way for a program running in one kind of operating system (such as Windows Vista) to communicate with a progam in the same or another kind of an operating system (such as Linux) by using the World Wide Web's Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and its Extensible Markup Language (XML) as the mechanisms for information exchange. Since Web protocols are installed and available for use by all major operating system platforms, HTTP and XML provide an already at-hand solution to the problem of how programs running under different operating systems in a network can communicate with each other. SOAP specifies exactly how to encode an HTTP header and an XML file so that a program in one computer can call a program in another computer and pass it information. It also specifies how the called program can return a response.

SOAP was developed by Microsoft, DevelopMentor, and Userland Software and has been proposed as a standard interface to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It is somewhat similar to the Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (IIOP), a protocol that is part of the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA). Sun Microsystems' Remote Method Invocation (RMI) is a similar client/server interprogram protocol between programs written in Java.

An advantage of SOAP is that program calls are much more likely to get through firewall servers that screen out requests other than those for known applications (through the designated port mechanism). Since HTTP requests are usually allowed through firewalls, programs using SOAP to communicate can be sure that they can communicate with programs anywhere.

Static ISP Accounts - accounts offered by Internet Service Providers that allow users to identify a "static" IP address that never changes. Such accounts allow the easy use of Bluelon devices and other networked devices.

SQL - Abbreviation for structured query language. The international standard language for defining and accessing relational databases.

TCP/IP - the collection of "protocols" underlying the functioning of the Internet. Each computer connected to the Internet is identified by a unique IP Address.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator. An “address” on the network.

WAN - Wide Area Network. A physical or logical network providing capabilities for a number of independent devices to communicate with each other over a geographic areas larger than those served by local area networks. A WAN typically uses common-carrier lines. WANs typically run over leased phone lines--from an analog phone line to T-1 (1.544 Mb ps). The jump between a local area network and a WAN is made through a device called a bridge or a router. Bluelon decives can be attached to WAN systems.

Web Services - Web-based applications that dynamically interact with other Web applications using open standards that include XML, UDDI and SOAP (see SOAP). Such applications typically run behind the scenes, one program "talking to" another (server to server). Microsoft's .NET and Sun's Sun ONE (J2EE) are the major development platforms that natively support these standards.

Wizard - A program designed specifically to guide the user through a procedure. Typically used for installation and configuration.

XML - (EXtensible Markup Language) An open standard for describing data from the W3C. It is used for defining data elements on a Web page and business-to-business documents. XML uses a similar tag structure as HTML; however, whereas HTML defines how elements are displayed, XML defines what those elements contain. While HTML uses predefined tags, XML allows tags to be defined by the developer of the page. Thus, virtually any data items, such as "product," "sales rep" and "amount due," can be identified, allowing Web pages to function like database records. By providing a common method for identifying data, XML supports business-to-business transactions and has become "the" format for electronic data interchange and Web services (see Web Services).

Microsoft Windows Related

.NET - .NET is both a business strategy from Microsoft and its collection of programming support for what are known as Web services, the ability to use the Web rather than your own computer for various services. Microsoft's goal is to provide individual and business users with a seamlessly interoperable and Web-enabled interface for applications and computing devices and to make computing activities increasingly Web browser-oriented. The .NET platform includes servers; building-block services, such as Web-based data storage; and device software. It also includes Passport, Microsoft's fill-in-the-form-only-once identity verification service.

.NET Framework Version 2.0 Redistributable Package - The Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 redistributable package is the most recent update to the Microsoft .NET Framework and includes everything you need to run applications developed using the .NET Framework.

ActiveX - A control (or set of rules) used by a browser. ActiveX controls are often downloaded and installed automatically as required.

ASP.NET - (originally called ASP+) is the next generation of Microsoft's Active Server Page (ASP), a feature of their Internet Information Server (IIS). Both ASP and ASP.NET allow a Web site builder to dynamically build Web pages on the fly by inserting queries to a relational database in the Web page. ASP.NET is different than its predecessor in two major ways: it supports code written in compiled languages such as Visual Basic, C++, C#, and Perl, and it features server controls that can separate the code from the content, allowing WYSIWYG editing of pages. Although ASP.NET is not backwards compatible with ASP, it is able to run side by side with ASP applications. ASP.NET files can be recognized by their .aspx extension.

SQL Server Express - SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (SQL Server Express) is the next version of MSDE 2000. It is a free, easy-to-use, lightweight version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, SQL Server Express enables development of data-driven applications that are rich in capability and fast to deploy.

Visual Studio Express editions - The Visual Studio Express editions expand the Visual Studio product line to include lightweight, easy to use and easy to learn tools for hobbyist, novice, and student developers who want to build dynamic Windows applications and Web sites.

Bluelon OEM customers has successfully created innovative and sophisticated .NET application using Visual Studio Express editions both for Microsoft Windows NT and Pocket PC based platforms.

For more information, please visit: lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express

Echelon LonWorks Related

BACNET - is a standard protocol produced by ASHRAE (American Association of HVAC Manufacturers). LON is one of the transport media used by BACNET although some important and useful featuresof LON (especially network variables) are lost in the process.

For more information, please visit: www.bacnet.org

Bridges - transfer information to the opposite side provided the domain of origin of that information corresponds to one of the domains of the bridge regardless of the destination of the information. A bridge is used for linking domains, e.g. for passing on universal system information.

Channel - The physical structure of networks comprises a number of Routers and Repeaters which subdivide the network into several channels. A channel denotes a physical segment of the network , e.g. a bus segment in TP/FT-10. Depending on the physical limits of the basic medium, a single channel can have any number of nodes.

Configured Routers - transfer valid information to the opposite side provided the domain of origin of the information corresponds to one of the domains of the Router. Each side of a Configured Router possesses its own transmission table for this purpose. In the table for each of the 255 possible subnets and each of the 255 groups of a domain the transmitter transferring the information is identified with a transmission flag. These tables are generated with a network management tool and are permanently stored in the Router’s NV memory. The use of a Configured Router is advisable when network traffic needs to be deliberately separated. It produces islands with relatively high internal network traffic and relatively little external communication. As a result, the whole network does not become overloaded with information that is only ‘local‘ in character.

CSMA - is a method of access from a LAN and the abbreviation stands for Carrier Sense Multiple Access. With CSMA the node first ‘listens’ to the network before it does anything. With CSMA/CD (Collision Detect) the possibility of collisions is assumed from the outset and various methods of combating them are employed when necessary. LONWORKS uses the predective, p-persistant CSMA method which, even in large networks, allows short reaction times when throughput rates are high.

Domains - are the largest addressing units of all. They re used for producing whole - independent - subsystems, e.g. lighting systems, ccess control systems (when these need to communicate with each other). Therefore, Domains form virtual networks within the physical structure of the network. Each LON device can be accessed through two Domain addresses. One Domain can be assigned a maximum of 255 subnets each with 127 devices making a total of 32,385 devices).

Echelon - is the provider of LONWORKS technology. Echelon first launched its new developments on to the international market in December 1990. The financial capital for this innovative and risky development came from venture capital sources in the USA, including the semiconductor manufacturers Motorola and Toshiba. More information will be found on their website www.echelon.com.

Groups - provide another form of addressing that is independent of Domain-Subnet-Node addressing. Up to 255 Groups per Domain can be formed whose members can all communicate with each other through the Group addressing. In each Group any number of devices can be members whereby, in turn, each device can be a member of up to 15 Groups.

Inter-operability - is the aim and guiding principle of LONWORKS technology. Regardless of the chosen media of transmission, network topology, hardware details or operating system functions LONWORKS nodes should always be able to ‘talk’ to each other and ‘work’ with each other.

ISO OSI model - is a model developed by the ISO (International Organisation for Standardization) for communication between nodes in networks. This model was named OSI (Open System Interconnection) and is based on 7 layers of communication.

Learning Routers - are a special form of Configured Router. In this case all information is transferred by means of Group addressing and a learning process is active at the same time. A reset sets all the transmisson flags so that all information is transmitted. The Learning Router checks the subnet number each time information is received and cancels the corresponding flag on the other side so that gradually two transmission tables are produced in the same way as with the Configured Router. However, these are only stored in RAM so are lost after a reset. Nevertheless, the resulting tables can be read with a suitable tool and processed further so that the Router can subsequently be used as a Configured Router. Learning Routers are not so powerful as Configured Routers but they can be installed without any prior knowledge of network topology or communication structures.

LNS - LonWorks Networks Services Architecture. LNS provides configuration, diagnostics, and maintenance for LonWorks networks. LNS automates common system tasks, handles directory management, and routes services. A software platform developed by Echelon with functional and data interfaces for the implementation oftools for LON, for example for hand terminals, service stations, for PC visualisations and PC implementation tools.

LonMark Association - is an international association of more than 300 companies that deal with the standardisation of LON for specific task areas and devices, with the aim of guaranteeing interoperability. In the LONMARK Task Groups, the textual work is achieved. Thus there are standards (Functional Profiles), among other things, for blind control, lighting, sensors, actuators.

For more information, please visit: www.lonmark.org

LonTalk - is the protocol through which Echelon’s system solution is specified. LonTalk defines how LON nodes communicate with each other on the individual layers of the ISO-OSI model. LonTalk describes hardware functions, operating system functions and compiler functions precisely, whereby the implementation remains concealed.

LonUsers International - umbrella association of regional LonUsers groups.

For more information, please visit: LonUsers International

LonWorks - A control network technology from Echelon Corporation, San Jose, CA. LonWorks is the system description for the whole technology. Within it are included, for example, the Neuron Chips, the transceivers, the development tools, software packets, support. With LonWorks, decentralised information processing structures are made possible that function without central control (for example PLCs). In this respect, LonWorks distinguishes itself from conventional fieldbus solutions. LonWorks is a network technology that is used in myriad applications, including factory automation, process control, building networks and vehicle networks. LonWorks provides services at all layers of the OSI model with its LonTalk protocol and Neuron chip. The Neuron is made up of three 8-bit processors and an operating system that supports LonTalk; however, LonTalk has become an ANSI standard that can run on any processor. LonWorks allows up to 32,000 devices in a peer-to-peer configuration and also provides a complete set of network management functions. The LonWorks data link is a proprietary form of CSMA/CD over twisted pair, coax and fiber. Adapters allow connection to the Internet via Ethernet or dial-up modems.

For more information, please visit: www.echelon.com

LPT-10 - Link Power - This transport medium is also a twisted pair variant. It corresponds technically to the variant ”free topology FTT10” with the added advantage that the power supply to the devices can be transported via the bus cable. LPT-10 requires the use of special link power electricity supply (input voltage, for example, 48-56 V, output voltage ca. 42V / 1.5 A) that are mostly very expensive. Besides, there are limits with respect to load capability – a link power network part can only supply a limited number of devices. Link power signals can also be switched to TP/FT-10 devices, if these contain the corresponding blocking capacitors that close off the supply voltage.

Neuron C - is the programming language according to the ANSI-C standard for the application programming of Neuron Chips. Neuron C contains additional operating system functions for event-oriented programming and for network variables for process-related programming, as well as for more complex objects for I/O interfaces.

Node - Node is the term for a device or a module with a Neuron Chip as a micro-controller. Nodes are the smallest addressing unit.

NodeBuilder - is the high-end development systemfrom Echelon. NodeBuilder allows an C application application developer to compile, download and remotely debug Neuron software.

Power-Line - represents the data transmission e.g. via the 120-240 V network. Transmission can optionally adhere to the CENELEC protocol.

Program-ID - Every LON device contains a special software that implements the application. Fundamentally, a LON device can be delivered with different software (functional variants). In order to differentiate them, the PROG-ID is used. This is a chain of characters that is saved in a special place in the memory. Implementation tools use the PROG-ID to differentiate between devices with the same hardware, but nevertheless differing functions. LONMARK has defined specifications as to how the PROG-ID is to be coded and used.

Repeaters - are the physical amplifiers without their own processing functions. They are used to achieve larger transmission distances, or when the maximum number of nodes of 64 devices per twisted pair segment is exceeded. The repeater counts as a node, meaning that per segment 63 nodes + 1 repeater can be used. In TP/FT-10 networks, only one physical repeater is allowed to be located between two nodes. It is also possible to implement the router as a repeater. In this way, the limitations experienced with physical repeaters are inapplicable and a change of media is also possible.

Routers - combine neighbouring subnets where the router works with addresses and protocols from layer 3. This layer is independent of the hardware so that routers are able to undertake the transition into another transport medium. Routers can be operated in the operational types: repeaters, bridges, learning routers and configured routers.

Service Pin - is a special input/output of the node for service purposes. As a rule, this pin is fed outward by the module manufacturer to a sensing device and an LED. Upon activating the service sensor, the Neuron Chip sends a broadcast message that contains the Neuron ID and the programme ID. In this way, a node, for example, a tool, can be registered (allocation of a physical node to a logical node in the project). As an output, the service pin signalises the current status of the Neuron (application and configuration) and thus enables a fundamental diagnosis.

SNVTs - (Standard Network Variable Types) are typebound network variables in the Neuron-C programming language, standardised by LONMARK, for the implementation of logical communication channels between LON nodes.

Subnets - are the next smallest addressing unit after the domain. By means of subnet addressing, certain groups of devices (for example, in a room or in a manufacturing cell) can be addressed. Subnets can contain a maximum of 127 devices.

Terminators - serve the correct termination of a network with respect to impedance on the basis of twisted pair technology. Independent of the transceivers and the topology used (bus or free topology), various terminators from Echelon may be used according to the specification. Terminators are also partly integrated into LON devices and are then, as a rule, able to be activated via a switch or jumper. Missing or incorrect termination of a network does not have to immediately have an ostensible effect, but can be the cause of irregularly occurring communications problems.

TP/XT-78 - Twisted Pair 78 kBit/sec This transport medium with a transport connection was very widespread in the first years of LON. In the form of a linear bus topology, up to 64 devices can be switched to a segment. The length of the bus cable of a segment can amount to up to 2000 m. TP/XF-78 is LONMARK certified, but should not, however, be used for new developments.

TP/XT-1250 - Twisted Pair 1250 kBit/sec Parallel to TP/XT-78, TP/XP-1250 was introduced. This is also a linear bus with a transport connection of up to 64 devices per segment, nevertheless limited to a length of 130....400 m. The considerably higher physical transmission rate brings only little profit in data throughput and reaction speeds. Applications therefore remain limited to a few exceptions (for example in time-critical backbone buses in control cabinets or for spezial transmission tasks with large data packets), especially as particular requirements are placed on the topology in detail. TP/XF-1250 is not LONMARK certified, observe wiring guidelines exactly.

TP/RS-485 - Twisted Pair RS-485 Various device manufacturers tried in the start phase of LON to absolutely minimise the transceiver costs through implementation of RS-485. In reality, problems arise with RS-485, such as during galvanic separation and during management of mass-related potential between various devices. If one wishes to implement RS-485 interfaces in a CE-conformant way, efforts need to be made that are comparable to those in the case of other twisted pair variants. RS- 485 is, therefore, no longer supported by Echelon.

TP/FT-10 - Twisted Pair free Topology TP/FT-10 This is, without doubt, the most widespread transport medium today. The TP/FT-10 channel allows both linear bus topologies, as well as free topologies. As a linear bus, 64 participants can again be connected to a segment of up to 2700 m long. The transmission rate is 78 kBit/sec. In free topology, an expansion of the network of up to 500 m can be achieved with 64 devices. TP/FT-10 facilitates the greatest degree of freedom in the spatial configuration. TP/FT-10 is LONMARK certified.

Transceivers - are the bus building blocks between the Neuron Chip and the transport medium. Important representatives are: TP/XF-78, TP/XF1250, TP/FT-10, LPT-10 and PLT-21. Furthermore, transceivers are available for radio transmission or for the connection with fibre-optic cable systems.

Wink - is the possibility of the node to make itself noticeable in various ways (optically, acoustically etc.) after it has received a wink message. Thus an installation tool can search for unconfigured nodes in the network and send a wink message to the node that reports itself first. This node then makes itself noticeable in a defined way, if it is prescribed in its application, so that the technician can create the allocation to the physical node.

Bluetooth Related

Ad Hoc Network

A network typically created in a spontaneous manner. An ad hoc network requires no formal infrastructure and is limited in temporal and spatial extent.

Active Slave Broadcast (ASB)

The ASB logical transport is used to transport L2CAP user traffic to all active devices in the piconet.

Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)

The A2DP profile describes how stereo quality audio can be streamed from a media source to a sink. The profile defines two roles of an audio source and sink. A typical usage scenario can be considered as the “walkman” class of media player. The audio source would be the music player and the audio sink is the wireless headset. A2DP defines the protocols and procedures that realize distribution of audio content of high-quality in mono or stereo on ACL channels.

Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)

AVRCP is designed to provide a standard interface to control TVs, Hi-fi equipment, etc. This profile is used to allow a single remote control (or other device) to control all the A/V equipment that a user has access to. AVRCP defines how to control characteristics of streaming media. This includes pausing, stopping, and starting playback and volume control as well as other types of remote control operations.

Beacon Train

A pattern of reserved slots within a basic or adapted piconet physical channel. Transmissions starting in these slots are used to resynchronize parked devices.

Basic Imaging Profile (BIP)

BIP defines how an imaging device can be remotely controlled, how an imaging device may print, as well as how an imaging device can transfer images to a storage device. A typical scenario involves a mobile phone being used to control the shutter operation of a digital camera.

Basic Printing Profile (BPP)

BPP allows devices to send text, e-mails, vCards, images or other items to printers based on print jobs. It differs from HCRP in that it needs no printer-specific drivers. This makes it more suitable for embedded devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras, which cannot easily be updated with drivers dependent upon printer vendors.

Bluetooth wireless technology - Bluetooth is a telecommunications industry specification that describes how devices such as mobile phones, computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) and access control devices can be easily interconnected using a short-range wireless connection. It allows real-time AV and data communications between Bluetooth enabled hosts. The link protocol is based on time slots. Using this technology, users of access control devices, cellular phones, pagers, and personal digital assistants can buy a three-in-one phone that can double as a portable phone at home or in the office, get quickly synchronized with information in a desktop or notebook computer, function as a master key to unlock doors, initiate a print-out, ect., and, in general, have all mobile and fixed computer devices be totally coordinated.

Bluetooth requires that a low-cost transceiver chip be included in each device. The tranceiver transmits and receives in a previously unused frequency band of 2.45 GHz that is available globally (with some variation of bandwidth in different countries). The unlicensed ISM band is accessed using a frequency hopping transceiver In addition to data, up to three voice channels are available. Each device has a unique 48-bit address from the IEEE 802 standard. Connections can be point-to-point or multipoint. The typical maximum range is 100 meters. Data can be exchanged at a rate of 1 megabit per second (up to 2 Mbps in the second generation of the technology). A frequency hop scheme allows devices to communicate even in areas with a great deal of electromagnetic interference. Built-in encryption and verification is provided.

The technology got its unusual name in honor of Harald Bluetooth, king of Denmark in the mid-tenth century.

For more information, please visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

Bluetooth Baseband

The part of the Bluetooth system that specifies or implements the medium access and physical layer procedures to support the exchange of real-time voice, data information streams, and ad hoc networking between Bluetooth enabled devices.

Bluetooth Clock

A 28 bit clock internal to a Bluetooth controller sub-system that ticks every 312.5 ms. The value of this clock defines the slot numbering and timing in the various physical channels.

Bluetooth Controller

A sub-system containing the Bluetooth RF, baseband, resource controller, link manager, device manager and a Bluetooth HCI.

Bluetooth Enabled Device

A Bluetooth enabled device is a device that is capable of short-range wireless communications using the Bluetooth system.

Bluetooth Device Address

A 48 bit address used to identify each Bluetooth enabled device. Often this is referred to in technical specifications as BD_ADDR.

BD_ADDR

The Bluetooth device address, BD_ADDR, is used to identify a Bluetooth enabled device.

Bluetooth HCI

The Bluetooth HCI provides a command interface to the baseband controller and link manager and access to hardware status and control registers. This interface provides a uniform method of accessing the Bluetooth baseband capabilities.

Bluetooth Host

A Bluetooth Host is a computing device, peripheral, cellular telephone, access point to PSTN network or LAN, etc. A Bluetooth Host attached to a Bluetooth Controller may communicate with other Bluetooth Hosts attached to their Bluetooth Controllers as well.

Bluetooth Profiles

Bluetooth profiles are general behaviors through which Bluetooth enabled devices communicate with other devices. Bluetooth technology defines a wide range of profiles that describe many different types of use cases. In order to use Bluetooth technology, a device must be able to interpret certain Bluetooth profiles. The profiles define the possible applications.

Channel

Either a physical channel or an L2CAP channel, depending on the context.

Connect (to service)

The establishment of a connection to a service. If not already done, this also includes establishment of a physical link, logical transport, logical link and L2CAP channel.

Connectable device

A Bluetooth enabled device in range that periodically listens on its page scan physical channel and will respond to a page on that channel.

Connecting

A phase in the communication between devices when a connection between them is being established. (Connecting phase follows after the link establishment phase is completed.)

Connection

A connection between two peer applications or higher layer protocols mapped onto an L2CAP channel.

Connection Establishment

A procedure for creating a connection mapped onto a channel.

Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP)

The CTP defines how a cordless phone can be implemented over a Bluetooth wireless link. This profile can be used for either a dedicated cordless phone or a mobile phone that acts as a cordless phone when in proximity to a base station implementing the CTP. It is anticipated that mobile phones could use a Bluetooth CTP gateway connected to a landline when within the home, and the mobile phone network when out of range.

Coverage Area

The area where two Bluetooth enabled devices can exchange messages with acceptable quality and performance.

Creation of a Secure Connection

A procedure of establishing a connection, including authentication and encryption.

Creation of a Trusted Relationship

A procedure where the remote device is marked as a trusted device. This includes storing a common link key for future authentication and pairing (if the link key is not available).

Device Discovery

A procedure for retrieving the Bluetooth device address, clock, class-of-device field and used page scan mode from discoverable devices.

Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN)

DUN provides a standard to access the Internet and other dial-up services over Bluetooth wireless technology. The most common scenario is accessing the Internet from a laptop by dialing up on a mobile phone, wirelessly.

Discoverable Device

A Bluetooth enabled device in range that periodically listens on an inquiry scan physical channel and will respond to an inquiry on that channel. Discoverable device are normally also connectable.

Encryption

Method of encoding data to prevent others from being able to interpret the information.

Extended Service Discovery Profile (ESDP)

ESDP defines how universal plug and play runs over a Bluetooth wireless connection.

Fax Profile (FAX)

The FAX profile defines how a FAX gateway device can be used by a terminal device. FAX is intended to provide a well-defined interface between a mobile phone or fixed-line phone and a PC with FAX software installed. A typical configuration is a personal computer using a mobile phone as a FAX gateway to send a FAX transmission to an arbitrary recipient.

File Transfer Profile (FTP)

FTP defines how folders and files on a server device can be browsed by a client device. Once a file or location is found by the client, a file can be pulled from the server to the client, or pushed from the client to the server using GOEP.

General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP)

GAVDP provides the basis for A2DP and VDP, the basis of the systems designed for distributing video and audio streams using Bluetooth wireless technology. In a typical usage scenario, a device such as a “walkman” is used as the initiator and a headset is used as the acceptor.

Generic Access Profile (GAP)

GAP provides the basis for all other profiles and defines a consistent means to establish a baseband link between Bluetooth enabled devices. The profile defines operations that are generic and can be used by profiles referring to GAP and by devices implementing multiple profiles. GAP ensures that any two Bluetooth enabled devices, regardless of manufacturer and application, can exchange information via Bluetooth in order to discover what type of applications the devices support. Bluetooth enabled devices not conforming to any other Bluetooth profile must conform to GAP to ensure basic interoperability and co-existence.

Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP)

GOEP is used to transfer an object from one device to another. The object may be any object such as a picture, document, business card, etc. The profile defines two roles, a server that provides the location form which an object is pulled or pushed, as well as a client that initiates the action. GOEP provides a generic blueprint for other profiles using the OBEX protocol.

Hands-Free Profile (HFP)

HFP describes how a gateway device can be used to place and receive calls for a hand-free device. A typical configuration is an automobile using a mobile phone for a gateway device. In the car, the stereo is used for the phone audio and a microphone is installed in the car for sending outgoing audio of the conversation. HFP is also used for a personal computer to act as a speakerphone for a mobile phone in a home or office environment.

Hard Copy Cable Replacement Profile (HCRP)

HCRP defines how driver-based printing is accomplished over a Bluetooth wireless link. The profile defines a client and a server role. The client is a device containing a print driver for the server on which the client wishes to print. A common configuration is a client personal computer printing using a driver to a printer acting as a server. This provides a simple wireless alternative to a cable connection between a device and a printer. HCRP does not set a standard regarding the actual communications to the printer, so drivers are required specific to the printer model or range.

Headset Profile (HSP)

The HSP describes how a Bluetooth enabled headset should communicate with a computer or other Bluetooth enabled device such as a mobile phone. When connected and configured, the headset can act as the remote device’s audio input and output interface.

Human Interface Device Profile (HID)

The HID profile defines the protocols, procedures and features to be used by Bluetooth enabled HID, such as keyboards, pointing devices, gaming devices, and remote monitoring devices.

Inquiring Device

A Bluetooth enabled device that is carrying out the inquiry procedure.

Inquiry

A procedure where a Bluetooth device transmits inquiry messages and listens for responses in order to discover the other Bluetooth enabled devices within the coverage area.

Inquiry Scan

A procedure where a Bluetooth enabled device listens for inquiry messages received on its inquiry scan physical channel.

Intercom Profile (ICP)

Just as your voice can go unheard by others due to other noises, so too can Bluetooth radios go unheard due to other radio interference. This issue is especially a concern as Bluetooth wireless technology uses an unlicensed band for transmissions. Fortunately the technology was designed explicitly to be both a good citizen in these frequencies by not producing unnecessary noise but also to be able to avoid other radio waves. Some common radio technologies which can affect Bluetooth wireless products include microwave ovens and some models of cordless phones.

Interference

Information in a stream where each information entity in the stream is bound by a time relationship to previous and successive entities.

Isochronous Data

Information in a stream where each information entity in the stream is bound by a time relationship to previous and successive entities.

Known Device

A Bluetooth enabled device for which at least the BD_ADDR is stored.

L2CAP Channel

A procedure for establishing a logical connection on L2CAP level.

L2CAP Channel Establishment

A procedure for establishing a logical connection on L2CAP level.

Link Establishment

A procedure for establishing the default ACL link and hierarchy of links and channels between devices.

Link

Shorthand for a logical link.

Link Key

A secret key that is known by two devices and is used in order to authenticate each device to the other.

LMP Authentication

An LMP level procedure for verifying the identity of a remote device.

LMP Pairing

A procedure that authenticates two devices and creates a common link key that can be used as a basis for a trusted relationship or a (single) secure connection.

Logical Channel

Identical to an L2CAP channel, but deprecated due to an alternative meaning in Bluetooth Version 1.1

Logical link

The lowest architectural level used to offer independent data transport services to clients of the Bluetooth system.

Logical Transport

Used in Bluetooth wireless technology to represent commonality between different logical links due to shared acknowledgement protocol and link identifiers.

Name Discovery

A procedure for retrieving the user-friendly name (the Bluetooth enabled device name) of a connectable device.

Object Exchange (OBEX) Protocol

OBEX is a transfer protocol that defines data objects and a communication protocol two devices can use to exchange those objects. OBEX enables applications to work over the Bluetooth protocol stack as well as the IrDA stack. For Bluetooth enabled devices, only connection-oriented OBEX is supported. Three application profiles have been developed using OBEX which include SYNC, FTP and OPP.

Packet

Format of aggregated bits that are transmitted on a physical channel.

Page

The initial phase of the connection procedure where a device transmits a train of page messages until a response is received from the target device or a timeout occurs.

Page Scan

A procedure where a device listens for page messages received on its page scan physical channel.

Paging Device

A Bluetooth enabled device that is carrying out the page procedure.

Paired Device

A Bluetooth enabled device with which a link key has been exchanged (either before connection establishment was requested or during connecting phase).

Pairing

The process of establishing a new relationship between two Bluetooth enabled devices. During this process a link key is exchanged (either before connection establishment was requested or during connecting phase).

Parked Device

A device operating in a basic mode piconet that is synchronized to the master but has given up its default ACL logical transport.

Passcode

When pairing devices, it is strongly recommended to use a passcode to authenticate incoming connections. Also, in certain connection situations you may desire additional assurance that you are connecting to the device or person you expect. A passcode can normally be any combination of keys (letters or numbers). Do use caution as some devices do not map characters similarly. Passkeys are valid only for the connection and may be different for other devices or users.

Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)

PAN describes how two or more Bluetooth enabled devices can form an ad-hoc network and how the same mechanism can be used to access a remote network through a network access point. The profile roles include the network access point, group ad-hoc network and personal area network user.

Physical Channel

Characterized by synchronized occupancy of a sequence of RF carriers by one or more devices. A number of physical channel types exist with characteristics defined for their different purposes.

Physical Link

A baseband-level connection between two devices established using paging.

Piconet

A collection of devices occupying a shared physical channel where one of the devices is the piconet master and the remaining devices are connected to it.

Piconet Physical Channel

A channel that is divided into time slots in which each slot is related to an RF hop frequency. Consecutive hops normally correspond to different RF hop frequencies and occur at a standard hop rate of 1600 hops/s. These consecutive hops follow a pseudo-random hopping sequence, hopping through a 79 RF channel set.

Piconet Master

The device in a piconet whose Bluetooth clock and Bluetooth device address are used to define the piconet physical channel characteristics.

Piconet Slave

Any device in a piconet that is not the piconet master, but is connected to the piconet master.

PIN

A user-friendly number that can be used to authenticate connections to a device before paring has taken place.

Participant in Multiple Piconets (PMP)

A device that is concurrently a member of more than one piconet, which it achieves using time division multiplexing (TDM) to interleave its activity on each piconet physical channel.

The Parked Slave Broadcast (PSB)

The Parked Slave Broadcast logical transport that is used for communications between the master and parked devices.

Range

Area that a Bluetooth enabled radio can cover with signal. This area can be affected by many different factors.

Scatternet

Two or more piconets that include one or more devices acting as PMPs.

Serial Port Profile (SPP)

SPP defines how to set-up virtual serial ports and connect two Bluetooth enabled devices.

Service Layer Protocol

A protocol that uses an L2CAP channel for transporting PDUs.

Service Discovery

Procedures for querying and browsing for services offered by or through another Bluetooth enabled device.

Service Discovery Application Profile (SDAP)

SDAP describes how an application should use SDP to discover services on a remote device. SDAP requires that any application be able to find out what services are available on any Bluetooth enabled device it connects to.

Silent Device

A Bluetooth enabled device appears as silent to a remote device if it does not respond to inquiries made by the remote device.

SIM Access Profile (SAP)

SAP allows devices such as car phones with built in GSM transceivers to connect to a SIM card in a Bluetooth enabled phone. Therefore the car phone itself does not require a separate SIM card.

Synchronization Profile (SYNC)

The SYNC profile is used in conjunction with GOEP to enable synchronization of calendar and address information (personal information manager (PIM) items) between Bluetooth enabled devices. A common application of this profile is the exchange of data between a PDA and computer.

Unknown device

A Bluetooth enabled device for which no information (Bluetooth device address, link key or other) is stored.

Video Distribution Profile (VDP)

VDP defines how a Bluetooth enabled device streams video over Bluetooth wireless technology. Sample use cases include the streaming of a stored video from a PC media centre to a portable player or streaming from a digital video camera to a TV.

WAP Over Bluetooth Profile (WAP)

WAP defines how the wireless application protocol suite can run over a Bluetooth wireless link. A typical configuration is a mobile phone connecting to a public kiosk over a Bluetooth wireless link and using WAP to browse for information. WAP works across a variety of WAN technologies bringing the Internet to mobile devices.

CCTV Related

Built in Motion Detection - Cameras equipped with built-in motion detection can identify any motion or change in live video based on user-set sensitivity levels. Advanced cameras can be set to e-mail images or video showing the motion or change detected.

CCTV - Closed Circuit Television. CCTV systems typically involve analog cameras and recorders that are more difficult to utilize and typically more expensive than digital network systems.

CCD Lens or Sensor - Charge-Coupled Device. Electronic memory in which metal oxide semiconductors are arranged so the charge from one semiconductor is the input of the next semiconductor. CCDs can be charged by light or electricity. One use is for storing images in digital cameras, video cameras, and optical scanners.

C-Mount Lens - C-mount lenses are typically fond in older version cameras. Like CS-mount cameras they can utilize different types of lenses but require a 5mm ring to be fitted between the camera and lens to archive a focused image.

CMOS Lens or Sensor - Technology involving Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) to sense images. CMOS imagers now rival--and in some cases surpass--CCD technology in dynamic range and noise sensitivity and can offer improvements in resolution. CMOS technology is typically found in network cameras priced in the $300 to $500 range.

CS-Mount Lens - now the industry standard for network cameras because CS-mount cameras can utilize a wide variety of different lenses, including specialized wide-angle and narrow-focus lenses.

Frame Grabber Card - Plug-in hardware for “grabbing” images.

Infrared Motion Detection - can be added to Networked Bluelon Devices that are equipped with an I/O connector. Infrared motion detection differs from built in motion detection because it can sense motion that is outside the line of sight of a camera.

Network IP Camera - A stand-alone device which allows users to view live, full motion video from anywhere on a computer network, even over the Internet, using a standard web-browser. Unlike WebCams, Network IP Cameras can include an embedded operating system and advanced features, such as built-in motion detection with notification and the ability to FTP images and work as a web server.

WebCam - inexpensive camera devices that must be attached to a dedicated computer and usually utilize software from the dedicated computer. WebCams have limited features and can not be accessed by multiple users. Typically additional software is needed to view Web Cams via an internet connection.