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 emerging new class of technical standards. Technical standards throughout recorded history are a means to enable communications, inherent in all complex systems, and basic to communications engineering. The fundamental nature of standards is explored using a four-strata taxonomy of standards which relates technical standards, communications systems, and value systems to the major periods of recorded history. The emerging fourth stratum of standards, offering new adaptability for communications systems, is described in some technical detail.