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Glossary (v0.2)

This glossary consolidates all core and extended terms from RFCs 0001–0011, and defines key concepts as aligned with Telemachus Spec v0.2 and RFC-0011.


Version Alignment

This glossary aligns with Telemachus Spec v0.2 and incorporates terminology from RFCs 0001–0011.


Adapter

Adapter. As defined in RFC-0005, a connector or software component that translates data from an industrial API or proprietary format to the Telemachus schema.

API

Application Programming Interface. A set of definitions and protocols for building and integrating application software, enabling communication between different systems.

CAN

Controller Area Network. A vehicle bus standard enabling communication between electronic control units (ECUs).

Context Extension

Context Extension. An optional layer, as described in RFC-0004, that provides additional contextual information such as topography, weather, or infrastructure data to enrich Telemachus datasets.

CSV

Comma-Separated Values. A simple file format used to store tabular data, where each line represents a data record and each value is separated by a comma.

DATEX II

European standard (CEN) for traffic and travel data exchange. XML-based, complex but widely adopted.

Dataset Manifest

Dataset Manifest. Introduced in RFC-0003, a structured document describing a dataset’s metadata, structure, and validation state within Telemachus.

Digital Twin

A virtual representation of a physical asset, system, or process, updated with real-time data to enable simulation, analysis, and monitoring.

Edge Computing

Distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed, improving response times and saving bandwidth, particularly relevant for IoT and telematics.

Event (Telematics)

Discrete driving or vehicle event detected by a device or provider, e.g. harsh braking, speeding, geofence entry.

FieldGroup

FieldGroup. A logical grouping of related fields within the Telemachus schema, used to organize and modularize data structures.

Fleet Management System (FMS)

A platform or software solution used to manage, monitor, and coordinate vehicles, drivers, and operations in a fleet, often integrating telematics data.

GNSS

Global Navigation Satellite System. Generic term for satellite-based positioning systems (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou).

GPS

Global Positioning System. The US GNSS constellation, often used as a synonym for satellite navigation.

GTFS

General Transit Feed Specification. Open standard for describing public transport schedules and routes. Inspiration for Telemachus as an open mobility format.

HDOP / VDOP / PDOP

Dilution of Precision.
- HDOP = Horizontal DOP
- VDOP = Vertical DOP
- PDOP = Position DOP (combined)
Lower values indicate better positioning accuracy.

IMU

Inertial Measurement Unit. A device measuring acceleration, angular velocity, and sometimes magnetic field.
Used for dead reckoning, motion tracking, and stability.

Accelerometer

Measures acceleration in m/s² along X, Y, Z axes.

Gyroscope

Measures angular velocity in rad/s around X, Y, Z axes.

Magnetometer

Measures magnetic field strength (µT), used for compass orientation.

JSON / JSONL

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A lightweight, text-based data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, and for machines to parse and generate.
JSONL (JSON Lines): A format where each line is a valid JSON object, commonly used for streaming large datasets.

MQTT

Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. A lightweight, publish-subscribe network protocol designed for constrained devices and low-bandwidth, high-latency, or unreliable networks, widely used in IoT applications.

NGSI-LD

Open standard for context data exchange, based on JSON-LD. Used in smart city and IoT projects.

OBD-II

On-Board Diagnostics II. Standardized interface (mainly in cars) for accessing diagnostic trouble codes and live engine parameters.

Parquet

An open-source, columnar storage file format optimized for analytical workloads, providing efficient data compression and encoding schemes.

RFC (Request for Comments)

RFC (Request for Comments). A formal document in the Telemachus project that defines specifications, processes, and governance decisions. RFCs serve as the authoritative source for standards and evolution of the Telemachus ecosystem.

RS3

RS3 (RoadSimulator3). A simulation engine for mobility and vehicle data, integrated into Telemachus via RFC-0009.

SDK

Software Development Kit. A collection of software tools, libraries, documentation, and code samples that facilitate the development of applications for a specific platform or standard.

Semantic Interoperability

The ability of computer systems to exchange data with unambiguous, shared meaning, ensuring that the precise meaning of exchanged information is understood by all parties.

Standardization Bodies (CEN, ISO, OGC)

Organizations responsible for developing and maintaining standards:
- CEN: European Committee for Standardization.
- ISO: International Organization for Standardization.
- OGC: Open Geospatial Consortium.

TCS

Telemachus Completeness Score. A metric introduced by Telemachus to evaluate how complete a provider’s dataset is relative to the Core schema.

Validation CLI

Validation CLI. As described in RFC-0007, a command-line tool provided by Telemachus to check whether datasets comply with the required schema and standards.

VIN

Vehicle Identification Number. A unique 17-character code assigned to every motor vehicle, used for identification and traceability.

GNSS

Global Navigation Satellite System. Generic term for satellite-based positioning systems (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou).

GPS

Global Positioning System. The US GNSS constellation, often used as a synonym for satellite navigation.

HDOP / VDOP / PDOP

Dilution of Precision.
- HDOP = Horizontal DOP
- VDOP = Vertical DOP
- PDOP = Position DOP (combined)
Lower values indicate better positioning accuracy.

IMU

Inertial Measurement Unit. A device measuring acceleration, angular velocity, and sometimes magnetic field.
Used for dead reckoning, motion tracking, and stability.

Accelerometer

Measures acceleration in m/s² along X, Y, Z axes.

Gyroscope

Measures angular velocity in rad/s around X, Y, Z axes.

Magnetometer

Measures magnetic field strength (µT), used for compass orientation.

CAN

Controller Area Network. A vehicle bus standard enabling communication between electronic control units (ECUs).

OBD-II

On-Board Diagnostics II. Standardized interface (mainly in cars) for accessing diagnostic trouble codes and live engine parameters.

Event (Telematics)

Discrete driving or vehicle event detected by a device or provider, e.g. harsh braking, speeding, geofence entry.

GTFS

General Transit Feed Specification. Open standard for describing public transport schedules and routes. Inspiration for Telemachus as an open mobility format.

DATEX II

European standard (CEN) for traffic and travel data exchange. XML-based, complex but widely adopted.

NGSI-LD

Open standard for context data exchange, based on JSON-LD. Used in smart city and IoT projects.

TCS

Telemachus Completeness Score. A metric introduced by Telemachus to evaluate how complete a provider’s dataset is relative to the Core schema.

VIN

Vehicle Identification Number. A unique 17-character code assigned to every motor vehicle, used for identification and traceability.

API

Application Programming Interface. A set of definitions and protocols for building and integrating application software, enabling communication between different systems.

SDK

Software Development Kit. A collection of software tools, libraries, documentation, and code samples that facilitate the development of applications for a specific platform or standard.

Parquet

An open-source, columnar storage file format optimized for analytical workloads, providing efficient data compression and encoding schemes.

JSON / JSONL

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A lightweight, text-based data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, and for machines to parse and generate. JSONL (JSON Lines): A format where each line is a valid JSON object, commonly used for streaming large datasets.

CSV

Comma-Separated Values. A simple file format used to store tabular data, where each line represents a data record and each value is separated by a comma.

Semantic Interoperability

The ability of computer systems to exchange data with unambiguous, shared meaning, ensuring that the precise meaning of exchanged information is understood by all parties.

Standardization Bodies (CEN, ISO, OGC)

Organizations responsible for developing and maintaining standards: - CEN: European Committee for Standardization. - ISO: International Organization for Standardization. - OGC: Open Geospatial Consortium.

Fleet Management System (FMS)

A platform or software solution used to manage, monitor, and coordinate vehicles, drivers, and operations in a fleet, often integrating telematics data.

Digital Twin

A virtual representation of a physical asset, system, or process, updated with real-time data to enable simulation, analysis, and monitoring.

Edge Computing

Distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed, improving response times and saving bandwidth, particularly relevant for IoT and telematics.

MQTT

Message Queuing Telemetry Transport. A lightweight, publish-subscribe network protocol designed for constrained devices and low-bandwidth, high-latency, or unreliable networks, widely used in IoT applications.