The inter-working function (IWF) is a method for interfacing a
wireless telecommunication
Wireless communication (or just wireless, when the context allows) is the transfer of information between two or more points without the use of an electrical conductor, optical fiber or other continuous guided medium for the transfer. The most ...
network with the
public switched telephone network
The public switched telephone network (PSTN) provides infrastructure and services for public telecommunication. The PSTN is the aggregate of the world's circuit-switched telephone networks that are operated by national, regional, or local telep ...
(PSTN). The IWF converts the data transmitted over the air interface into a format suitable for the PSTN.
IWF contains both the hardware and software elements that provide the rate adaptation and
protocol
Protocol may refer to:
Sociology and politics
* Protocol (politics), a formal agreement between nation states
* Protocol (diplomacy), the etiquette of diplomacy and affairs of state
* Etiquette, a code of personal behavior
Science and technology
...
conversion between PSTN and the wireless network.
Some systems require more IWF capability than others, depending on the network which is being connected. The IWF also incorporates a "
modem
A modulator-demodulator or modem is a computer hardware device that converts data from a digital format into a format suitable for an analog transmission medium such as telephone or radio. A modem transmits data by modulating one or more c ...
bank", which may be used when, for example, the
GSM data terminal equipment
Data terminal equipment (DTE) is an end instrument that converts user information into signals or reconverts received signals. These can also be called tail circuits. A DTE device communicates with the data circuit-terminating equipment (DC ...
(DTE) exchanges data with a land DTE connected via analogue modem
The IWF provides the function to enable the GSM system to interface with the various
forms of public and private data networks currently available.
The basic features of the IWF are:
* Data rate adaption
* Protocol conversion
Wireless networking
Telephony
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