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276 Glossary

Bits per second (bps) The number of bits passing a point every
second. The transmission rate for digital information.

Broadband A method of communication where the signal is
transmitted by a high-frequency carrier. Services requiring 50—
600 Mbps transport capacity.
Byte interleaved Bytes from each STS-1 are placed in sequence
in a multiplexed or concatenated STS-N signal.
Byte synchronous A way of mapping payload into virtual tribu-
taries (VTs) that synchronizes all inputs into the VTs, captures
framing information, and enables access to subrate channels car-
ried in each input.

Cable One or more optical fibers enclosed within protective cov-
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ering(s) and strength members.
Cable assembly A cable that is connector-terminated and ready
for installation.
Cable plant The cable plant consists of all the optical elements
including fiber connectors, splices, and so on between a transmit-
ter and a receiver.

Carrier class Carrier class refers to products designed specifi-
cally to meet the capacity, performance scalability, availability,
and network management requirements of network service
providers.
Community antenna television (CATV) A television distribu-
tion method whereby signals from distant stations are received,
amplified, and then transmitted by coaxial or fiber cable or
microwave links to subscribers. This term is now typically used
to refer to cable TV.
CCITT The technical organs of the United Nations specialized
agency for telecommunications, now the International Telecom-
munications Union—Telecom. They function through interna-
tional committees of telephone administrations and private
operating agencies.

Central office A common carrier switching office in which users’
lines terminate. The nerve center of a telephone system.

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