Glossary Glossary
This glossary contains an alphabetical listing of terms and their definitions that are applicable to
ASTRO portable and mobile subscriber radio products. All terms do not necessarily apply to all
radios, and some terms are merely generic in nature.
Term Definition
A/D See analog-to-digital conversion.
Abacus IC A custom integrated circuit providing a digital receiver intermediate
frequency (IF) backend.
ADC See analog-to-digital converter.
ADDAG See Analog-to-Digital, Digital-to-Analog and Glue.
ALC See automatic level control.
analog Refers to a continuously variable signal or a circuit or device designed
to handle such signals. See also digital.
Analog-to-Digital,
Digital-to-Analog
and Glue
An integrated circuit designed to be an interface between the radio’s
DSP, which is digital, and the analog transmitter and receiver ICs.
analog-to-digital
conversion
Conversion of an instantaneous dc voltage level to a corresponding
digital value. See also D/A.
analog-to-digital
converter
A device that converts analog signals into digital data. See also DAC.
APCO 25 A standard of digital two-way radio communications, developed by the
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, providing
maximum radio spectrum efficiency; competition in system life cycle
procurements; effective, efficient and reliable intra-agency and inter-
agency communications; and “user friendly” equipment. See also
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.
Association of
Public-Safety
Communications
Officials
An association dedicated to an industry-wide effort (known as APCO 25
or Project 25) to set the recommended voluntary standards of uniform
digital two-way radio technology for public safety organizations. This
allows radio interoperability with multiple vendor products which are all
APCO 25 compatible. See also APCO 25.
automatic level
control
A circuit in the transmit RF path that controls RF power amplifier output,
provides leveling over frequency and voltage, and protects against high
VSWR.
band Frequencies allowed for a specific purpose.