TABLE OF CONTENTS Level: 2
Definition: (1) In RF communications, gain refers to the amount of increase in the strength of a signal after being passed through a signal amplifier. This increase in signal strength is frequently measured in decibels (dB). (2) Gain is also a measure of the amount of signal delivered by an antenna relative or compared to a reference antenna. (3) Less commonly, the ability of sophisticated digital algorithms and signal processors that receive specially modulated signals to increase effectively the desired-to-undesired signal ratio, which results in processing gain. (4) Gain is also used to measure the reflectivity of a projection screen, with a high-gain screen reflecting more light at right angles (which makes the image brighter for viewers in the center of the viewing area but dimmer for those looking from a wide angle).
Level: 3
Definition: A combination of hardware and software used to interconnect two dissimilar computer systems, thereby allowing the two systems to talk to each other. For example, a corporate e-mail system might need a gateway to translate its internal e-mail format to an Internet e-mail format that would then enable transmissions via the Internet. (See also Internet.)
(See Gigabit .)
(See Gigabyte .)
Level: 1
Definition: Gbps refers to transfer rates of data over a telecommunications medium as a measure of bandwidth (the total information flow over a given time). (See also Gigabit and Mbps.)
