 which every device is connected Output) antennas to every other device. Community wireless networks and sensor networks often use vari- MIMO antennas simultaneously transmit ations of mesh networks, as does the military multiple streams at different frequencies when it sets up communications facilities in within a single channel. This improvement war zones. Mesh networks are also referred is analogous to the increased capacity on a to as multipoint-to-multipoint networks. multilane highway versus a road with a single lane. MIMO antennas are used on 802.11n microwave wireless services (Wi-Fi) WLANs, LTE, and WiMAX networks. Wireless services with short wavelengths operating in the frequency range of about the mobile wireless services 890MHz to 60GHz bands. It is a fixed point- Provide mobility over wide areas by to-point wireless technology used to connect two points. Line of sight is required between using services such as cellular, as in cit- microwave towers. For example, if there is a ies, states, countries, and in some instances, tree blocking the view between the towers, internationally. the service is inoperable. MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label middleware Switching) Software used to translate between disparate Used to increase router speeds and prioritize systems. It translates between the hardware packets. Short, fixed-length "labels" instruct (set-top devices) and network protocols and routers how to route each packet SO that the the applications in satellite TV and cable router does not have to examine the entire TV networks. Middleware also enables interactive television applications from dif- header of each packet after the first point in ferent developers to work with set-top box the carrier's network. Voice and video can hardware from a variety of manufacturers. have tags that classify them with a higher pri- Thus, applications don't have to be designed ority than data bits. Glossary MSOs (Multiple System Operators) NEBS (Network Equipment Building Large cable TV operators, such as Comcast Standards) and