BBU – Battery Back Up, typically an equipment cabinet housing batteries for backup power.

Beta – Greek letter “B”, used for naming antenna sectors, synonymous with Sector B and Sector 2.

BFE – Base Flood Elevation, the elevation of surface water resulting from a flood that has a 1% chance of equaling or exceeding that level in any given year as indicated on a FEMA FIRM.

BTS – Base Transceiver Station, generally housed in an equipment cabinet.

Delta – Greek letter “D”, used for naming antenna sectors, synonymous with Sector D and Sector 4.

DFE – Design Flood Elevation, the required elevation that includes the BFE plus an additional elevation buffer required by the AHJ that is generally equal to one foot.

DoD – Department of Defence, 5G bandwidth utilized by AT&T

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency, the federal agency that responds to natural crisis.

FIRM – Flood Insurance Rate Map, the FEMA map used to determine the required BFE.

FRP – Fiber-Reinforced Polymer, a plastic-like material made into members and panels that is ideal for antenna concealment.

ILC – Integrated Load Center, an electrical component that combines the main disconnect, manual transfer switch, load center and surge protection in one cabinet. Typically, also includes a gen plug or camlock, synonymous with PPC. Designation used by Verizon.

Inactive Antenna – An antenna with frequency less than 3GHz, used synonymously with Passive Antenna.

LEs – Lease Exhibits, drawings used in the lease agreement between carrier and landlord to define lease rights.

LTE – Long-Term Evolution, a digital mobile network technology that is widely used by mobile phone carriers, also known as 4G.

LOI – Letter of Intent, a formal letter describing your intent and procedures of a set task, generally in regard to Special Inspections.

NHP – National Hardening Program, installation of back-up power service either through new generator, batteries, tie-in to existing generators, etc.

Nominal (size) – The naming of a component based on a size category, which differs from the actual size such as a 2x4 or 2½" standard pipe.

NSB – New Site Build, the original site construction for the carrier, synonymous with NSD.

NSD – New Site Design, the original site construction for the carrier, synonymous with NSB.

NTP – Notice to Proceed, an indication to proceed with the referenced task.

NTS – Not to Scale, an indication that the detail is not depicted to a set scale.

NV – Network Vision, Sprint’s internal name for their 4G upgrade project.

PAF – Powder-Actuated Fastener, a metal fastener driven using a small gunpowder explosion into wood, metal, or concrete.

Passive Antenna – An antenna with frequency less than 3GHz, used synonymously with Inactive Antenna.

PCS – Personal Communications Service, broadband frequency in the 1850–1990 MHz spectrum range, often referred to as 1900.

PDF – Portable Document Format, a versatile file format created by Adobe that gives people an easy, reliable way to present and exchange documents.  The most common document file format used at APX for submittal documents.

PE – Professional Engineer, a licensed engineer.

PO – Purchase Order, a document sent by the client to be referenced on invoice when service completed.

POR – Purchase Order Request, a document sent to the client indicating SOW and pricing for services.

PPC – Power Protection Cabinet, an electrical component that combines the main disconnect, manual transfer switch, load center and surge protection in one cabinet. Typically, also includes a gen plug or camlock, synonymous with ILC. Designation used by all carriers other than AT&T or Verizon.

Prelim – Preliminary, the first submittal of a set of drawings.

PTLC – Power Transfer Load Center, an electrical component that combines the main disconnect, manual transfer switch, load center and surge protection in one cabinet. Typically, also includes a gen plug or camlock, synonymous with ILC or PPC. Designation used by AT&T.

Rad Center – Radiation Center, the elevation above grade at horizontal centerline of antenna.

RCA – Roof Condition Assessment, a formal report summarizing the condition of a building’s roof.

RF – Radio Frequency, the field of study concerning radio waves and radio signal frequencies.

RFDS – Radio Frequency Design/Data Sheet, the document produced by RF engineers indicating the desired antenna equipment for a specific installation.

ROW – Right of Way, generally the public land corridor necessary for construction and maintenance of public roadways, transmission lines, pipelines, and/or utilities.

RRH – Remote Radio Head, used synonymously with RRU.

RRU – Remote Radio Unit, used synonymously with RRH.

TBD – To Be Determined, referenced detail(s) pending additional information.

TMA – Tower Mounted Amplifier, a small component mounted at the antenna level to amplify signal.

TOC – Top of Concrete, the elevation of at the top of the concrete slab or framing member.

TOS – Top of Steel, the elevation of at the top of the steel framing.

VIF – Verify in Field, the task of obtaining in-field verification or documentation of desired information such as a dimension or a component of installed equipment.

X – Flood Zone “X”, the FEMA designation of a low-risk location that does not require a BFE.

1900 – Broadband frequency in the 1850–1990 MHz spectrum range, often referred to as PCS.

2100 – Broadband frequency in the 2110-2155 MHz spectrum range, often referred to as AWS.

2G – Second-Generation, a technology standard commonly used by earlier wireless networks, usually a GSM system.

3G – Third-Generation, a technology standard commonly used by earlier wireless networks, usually a UMTS system.

4G – Fourth-Generation, a technology standard commonly used by wireless networks, usually a LTE system.