User Manual

Table Of Contents
Glossary
Glossary-2 Millennial Net
FHSS Frequency Hopping Sequence Spread Spectrum: Spread spectrum method of
spreading a narrow band signal out across a broad portion of the radio band.
This method “hops” the signal as a function of time. (See also DSSS and spread
spectrum.)
gateway The network module that provides the interface between the application
platform and the modules on the wireless sensor network.
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: Organization of engineers,
scientists, and students that is known for developing standards for the computer
and electronics industry.
IEEE 802.11.4 Standard developed by IEEE that defines the lower protocol layers (PHY and
MAC) for low-data-rate wireless Personal Area Networks (PANs).
ISM The industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio bands were originally reserved
internationally for non-commercial use of RF electromagnetic fields for
industrial, scientific and medical purposes. They are now also used for
license-free error-tolerant wireless communications applications in the 900 MHz
and 2.4 GHz bands.
latency In networking, the amount of time it takes a packet to travel from source to
destination. Together, latency and bandwidth define the speed and capacity of a
network.
mesh node The module on the wireless sensor network used to extend network coverage
area, route around obstacles, and provide back-up routes in case of network
congestion or device failure. The mesh node can also provide a direct physical
interface to a sensor or actuator. Sometimes called a Full Function Device (see
FFD).
mesh topology A wireless sensor networking architecture consisting of a gateway and mesh
nodes that provides extended area coverage, routing around obstacles, and
back-up data paths.
narrowband Radio signal that contains all of its power within a very narrow portion of the
radio frequency band.
OSI Open System Interconnection: An ISO standard for worldwide communications
that defines a networking framework for implementing protocols in seven
layers. Control is passed from one layer to the next, starting at the application
layer in one station, proceeding to the bottom layer, over the channel to the next
station and back up the hierarchy.
packet A piece of a message transmitted over a packet-switching network. One of the
key features of a packet is that it contains the destination address in addition to
the data.