Glossary of Terms and acronyms

L-Band:
The frequency range from 0.5 to 1.5 GHz. Also used to refer to the 950 to 1450 MHz used for mobile communications.

Leased Line:
A dedicated circuit typically leased by a telephone company to a business for the full time exclusive use of that business. The 1980s and 1990s have seen growing freedom for businesses with such leased lines to sub-lease capacity to other businesses and organisations.

Little LEOs:
Low earth orbiting satellite systems that use spectrum below 1 GHz for such services as positioning and messaging.

Local Area Network:
Network which links computers located on a single site, such as an office block or university campus. Generally used to transfer data between computers, frequently through a file server.

Low Earth Orbit:
Satellite orbit between 450 and 900 miles above the surface of the earth.

Low Noise Amplifier (LNA):
This is the preamplifier between the antenna and the earth station receiver. For maximum effectiveness, it must be located as near the antenna as possible, and is usually attached directly to the antenna feed horn. The LNA is especially designed to contribute the least amount of thermal noise to the received signal.

Low Noise Block Downconverter (LNB):
A combination Low Noise Amplifier and downconverter built into one device attached to the feed.