The fundamental nature of standards: Technical perspective

The transition from sequential communications systems such as railroads and telephony systems to adaptive communications systems such as the Internet is a paradigm shift. This paradigm shift can also be identified by an emerg ing new class of technical standards. Technical standards throughout record ed history are a means to enable communications, inherent in all complex sy stems, and basic to communications engineering. The fundamental nature of s tandards is explored using a four-strata taxonomy of standards which relate s technical standards, communications systems, and value systems to the maj or periods of recorded history. The emerging fourth stratum of standards, o ffering new adaptability for communications systems, is described in some t echnical detail.