Unit 8 - Glossary
Glossary: Mobile Networks, Cell Phones and 5G
Objective: Learn key technical vocabulary related to mobile phones, cellular networks, signal transmission and current 5G technologies.
Use this glossary to understand technical texts, explain how mobile networks work and take part in speaking activities.
1. Network and Signals
bandwidth – ancho de banda
The range of frequencies a network can use to transmit data.
High bandwidth allows faster data transmission.
frequency – frecuencia
The rate at which a radio signal is transmitted.
Different calls use different frequencies.
latency – latencia
The delay between sending and receiving data.
Low latency is essential for real-time communication.
coverage – cobertura
The area where a network signal is available.
This area has poor coverage.
dead zone – zona sin cobertura
An area with no signal or very weak signal.
There is a dead zone inside the building.
congestion – congestión de red
A situation in which too many users overload the network.
The network is slow due to congestion.
2. Cellular System
cell – célula
A small geographic area covered by one antenna.
The city is divided into multiple cells.
base station / cell site – estación base / emplazamiento celular
The place where signals are transmitted and received.
The base station connects phones to the network.
tower – torre
A physical structure that supports antennas.
The tower is located outside the city.
handover – traspaso de celda
The process of switching connection from one cell to another.
The call continues thanks to handover.
uplink – enlace ascendente
The signal sent from the phone to the base station.
Your voice travels via uplink.
downlink – enlace descendente
The signal sent from the base station to the phone.
You hear the voice through downlink.
3. Phone Components
microprocessor – microprocesador
The brain of the device that controls all functions.
The microprocessor coordinates all operations.
circuit board – placa de circuito / placa base
The structure that connects all electronic components.
All components are mounted on the circuit board.
digital signal processor (DSP) – procesador de señal digital
A processor that handles audio and signal data at high speed.
The DSP improves sound quality.
antenna – antena
A component that sends and receives radio signals.
The antenna connects the phone to the network.
RF amplifier – amplificador RF
A component that strengthens radio frequency signals.
The RF amplifier strengthens the signal.
speaker – altavoz
A component that converts electrical signals into sound.
You hear sound through the speaker.
microphone – micrófono
A component that captures voice input.
The microphone records your voice.
4. Network Technology
analog – analógico
Technology that uses continuous physical signals.
1G networks were analog.
digital – digital
Technology that uses binary data: 0 and 1.
Modern networks are digital.
GSM – sistema GSM
A digital mobile network standard.
GSM uses SIM cards.
CDMA – tecnología CDMA
A network technology that spreads calls across multiple frequencies.
CDMA assigns a unique code to each call.
LTE – LTE / 4G LTE
A high-speed mobile network technology.
LTE provides fast Internet access.
VoIP – voz sobre IP
A technology that allows voice calls over the Internet.
Apps like WhatsApp use VoIP.
5. Signal and Transmission
channel – canal
A pair of frequencies used for communication.
Each call uses a channel.
full-duplex – dúplex completo
A system that allows simultaneous speaking and listening.
Phones use full-duplex communication.
interference – interferencia
A disruption caused by other signals.
Interference reduces signal quality.
range – alcance
The distance a signal can travel.
The antenna has limited range.
6. Network Use and Services
roaming – roaming / itinerancia
Using a mobile network outside your home country or normal coverage area.
Roaming charges may apply.
service provider – proveedor de servicios
A company that gives customers access to cellular networks.
Vodafone is a service provider.
SIM card – tarjeta SIM
A small card that stores user identity and network data.
Insert the SIM card to activate the phone.
device ID – identificador del dispositivo
A unique number used to identify a specific phone.
The device ID is used for activation.
7. 5G and Current Mobile Technologies
5G – 5G
The latest generation of mobile networks, offering very high speed, low latency and support for many connected devices.
5G allows faster downloads and real-time communication.
NR (New Radio) – nueva radio 5G
The radio access technology used in 5G networks.
5G uses NR instead of LTE radio.
mmWave – ondas milimétricas
Very high-frequency signals used in 5G for extremely fast data transmission, but with short range.
mmWave provides high speed but limited coverage.
sub-6 GHz – banda sub-6 GHz
Lower frequency bands used in 5G, with wider coverage but lower speed than mmWave.
Sub-6 GHz offers better coverage than mmWave.
low latency – baja latencia
A very small delay in communication.
5G offers ultra-low latency for gaming and remote control.
high throughput – alta capacidad de transmisión
The ability to send large amounts of data quickly.
5G networks have higher throughput than 4G networks.
massive connectivity – conectividad masiva
The ability to connect many devices at the same time.
Smart cities require massive connectivity.
network slicing – segmentación de red
The division of a network into virtual parts for different services or users.
One slice can be used for hospitals and another for gaming.
edge computing – computación en el borde
Processing data closer to the user instead of sending it to distant servers.
Edge computing reduces latency.
cloud computing – computación en la nube
Storing and processing data on remote servers.
Most apps rely on cloud computing.
virtualization – virtualización
Running network functions as software instead of using only physical hardware.
Modern networks use virtualization for flexibility.
IoT (Internet of Things) – Internet de las cosas
A network of connected devices that communicate with each other.
Smart homes are based on IoT.
smart device – dispositivo inteligente
A device connected to the Internet with advanced functions.
Smartwatches are smart devices.
wearable – dispositivo ponible
A device worn on the body.
Fitness trackers are wearables.
beamforming – formación de haz
A technology that directs the signal towards a specific user or device.
Beamforming improves signal quality.
MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) – MIMO
A technology that uses multiple antennas to send and receive signals.
MIMO increases data speed and reliability.
massive MIMO – MIMO masivo
An advanced version of MIMO that uses many antennas.
Massive MIMO is used in 5G towers.
cybersecurity – ciberseguridad
The protection of systems and networks from digital attacks.
Cybersecurity is critical in 5G networks.
data encryption – cifrado de datos
The process of protecting data by encoding it.
Encryption prevents unauthorized access.
Key idea
Modern mobile networks are not only about faster Internet. They also involve lower latency, more connected devices, better signal management, cloud services, edge computing and stronger cybersecurity.