Chapter 1 - Introduction
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. CDMA Wireless AT Commands - PN S000294C 12
Definitions This is an alphabetical list of terms and acronyms used throughout this document and the CDMA cellular
industry.
2G: Second Generation. All digital cellular systems developed to replace the first analog cellular
systems. )GSN and CDMA).
3G: Third Generation. Next generation digital cellular systems designed to have high-speed data
access and higher voice capacity (W CDNA & CDNA2000).
CBM: Cell Broadcast Message. Ah SMS message that is broadcast to all mobiles on the network
CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access. CDMA is a spread spectrum, digital wireless modulation
scheme for cellular communications systems. It has approximately 3 times the voice
capacity of GSM networks. Se IS-95, IS-95B, IS-2000.
CDMA2000: See IS-2000.
DCE: Data Communications Equipment. This is the modem in the traditional serial communication
paradigm of a computer connected via two modems to another computer.
DTE: Data Terminal Equipment. This is the computer in the traditional serial communication
paradigm of a computer connected via two modems to another computer.
DTMF: Dual Tone Multi-Frequency: A pre-defined set of tones sent over the air when keys are
pressed on the keypad.
Handset (Path): The audio path (microphone & speaker) that connects to a traditional hand held telephone
receiver, usually dual balanced electrical lines.
Headset (Path): The audio path (microphone & speaker) that connects to an earpiece with a microphone,
usually single electrical lines.
IMSI: International Mobile Station IS. This is an international 15 digital phone number that uniquely
identifies a mobile. IMSI=MCC + MNC + MIN.
IOTA: Internet Over The Air.
IS-95: The first CDMA standard published by Qualcomm in 1993.
IS-95A: A CDMA standard with improved voice quality. This standard is widely used throughout the
world.
IS-95B: This CDMA standard contains Medium Data Rate capabilities and bug fixes for system
access failures. It is considered a 2.5G system. This standard is mostly deployed in Korea.
IS-2000: The first 3G CDMA standard based on IS-95B. It contains a significant increase in voice
capacity and high-speed data rates. It is backward compatible with IS-95B and IS-95A. The
DCMA is IS-2000 compatible.
IS-707: TIA/EIA/IS-707 describes data services available on wideband spread spectrum systems. It
is organized into a series of related recommendations, some of which address functions
common to all CDMA data services and others that describe a specific data service.
MCC: Mobile Country Code. A pre-defined 30-digital number that represents a country in the IMSI.
MIN: Mobile IS Number: The traditional 10 digit phone number of the mobile.
MNC: Mobile Network Code. A pre-defined 2-digital number that represents a sub-network in the
IMSI (usually set to “00”).
MO: Mobile Originated. An action (usually a call) that is first started from the phone. An outgoing
call or SMS>
MS: Mobile Station. The term MS is commonly used to represent the phone or mobile.
MT: Mobile Terminated: An action usually a call) that is first started from a land based network.
An incoming call or SMS.
MSM: Mobile Station Modem. This is the main processing ASIC for a CDMA phone.
NAM: Number Assignment Modem. The NAM is collection of internal parameters that define a
working phone for a given network (phone number, access parameters, etc.).
NID: Network ID. The NID is an identification number that represents geographic location of a
common coverage area; but is a subset of the SID, usually a neighborhood in a large city.
NID is usually not used and is set to zero. Also se SID
NV-RAM: Non-Volatile Random Access Memory, NV-RAM is a data storage device that does not lose
it’s data when power is turned off.
OTAPA: Over The Air Parameter Administration. An automatic update in internal software parameters
(PRL for example) by means of a specially defined CDMA data call that is mobile terminated
(MT).