Active High
A digital signal that represents active, on, or true when its voltage is higher than the other logic state (low). Active-high signals can range from a few volts DC to as high as 24V DC, depending on the logic family or devices in use.
Active Low
A digital signal that represents active, on, or true when its voltage is lower than the other logic state (high). Active-low signals can range from digital ground to a few tenths of a volt.
Address
1. A number that specifies where data is stored (e.g., memory or I/O address). 2. A name or number identifying a unique device or group of devices on a network (e.g., Modbus or MAC address).
Algorithm
A formula with a specific set of instructions for performing a series of computational procedures or calculations.
Alias
1. Using a standard baud rate that the operating system understands, which is substituted with a different baud rate at the device driver level. Common in serial adapters with non-standard oscillators. 2. Assigning an additional name to a string or object.
Amp
Commonly shortened from ampere. A base unit for measuring electrical current. One amp is equal to 6.242 x 10^18 electrons, or one Coulomb of electric charge, passing a given point in one second (1 A = 1 C/s). See: Ampere, Coulomb
Ampere
(Symbol: A) An SI base unit for measuring electrical current, commonly shortened to amp. Named after André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836). See: Amp
Analog
A type of signal that varies continuously (lighter to darker, 4 to 20 mA, and so on), as opposed to a digital signal that can exist in only one of two possible states.
Analog Ground
The location in a system that serves as a reference ground for all analog signals. Some circuits may combine analog ground and digital ground, but most circuits separate them to reduce noise and ground currents.
AND Gate
A circuit that performs an AND operation based on the state of its inputs.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange – An 8-bit binary code that represents characters and symbols in the Roman (English) alphabet. ASCII includes codes that controlled older communication devices, thus the CRTL key on computer keyboards.
Asynchronous
In serial communications, refers to the transmission of data without an encoded or shared clock signal.
Baud
(Symbol: Bd) An SI unit of measure named after Emile Baudot. Synonymous with Baud Rate. See: Baud Rate
Baud Rate
The number of symbols or pulses that are transmitted per second. See: Baud
Baud Rate Generator
An internal circuit (on Zilog Z8523x ESCC, Zilog Z16C32 IUSC, etc.) that divides an external oscillator by an integer value to produce a clock that is used to generate or decode a synchronous serial data stream. Abbreviated BRG.
BCD
Binary-Coded Decimal – The encoding of decimal numbers as four-bit binary values from 00002 for 0, to 10012 for 9. BCD uses only 10 of the 16 4-bit combinations.
BERT
Acronym for Bit Error Rate Test. A utility that transmits a known bit pattern and compares it to the bit pattern received to determine if any bits were changed. The Sealevel WinSSD utility includes a BERT that is useful for verifying the operation and performance of a serial port.
Binary
A numbering system that allows for only two states, usually 1 and 0.
Bit
The most basic unit of information or data in computing or serial communications. Bit is a contraction of ‘binary digit’ and is denoted by the numerical digits 0 or 1.
Bit Wise
An operation, usually between two bytes or words, in which corresponding bits take part in an operation.
Blocking Diode
A diode, also called an isolation diode, that stops, or blocks, current from flowing through a circuit. Typically used in a battery circuit to prevent the reverse biasing of a battery by a more positive power supply.
Boolean Logic
A form of mathematics named after George Boole (1815-1864) who devised formal expressions for AND, OR, and INVERT operations.
BRG
Baud Rate Generator
Buffer
An output device that operates high-current or high-voltage devices. Some manufacturers produce drivers specifically to control devices such as stepper motors or displays. See: Driver.
Buffered
A signal that has passed through a buffer. See: Buffer.
Bus
A group of related electrical signals. 1. A control bus, an address, bus, a data bus, and so on. Some buses carry specific names, such as PCI Bus and Universal Serial Bus (USB). 2. A group of conductors that distribute power.
Byte
Acronym for Binary Term. In computing or serial communications, a byte of data describes a single character unit. Commonly confused with Octet to describe an 8-bit block of data. See Octet.
Capacitor
An electronic component that stores a charge and provides a reserve of power in a circuit. Typically used to smooth variations in a power-supply’s output voltage, and to provide power in the event of brief power failures.
Carry Current
The amount of current a relay’s contacts can safely conduct after the contacts close.
CDP
Acronym for Charging Downstream Port. Refers to a USB port defined in the Battery Charging Specification (BC v1.2) that supports data transfer as well as a minimum of 100mA and a maximum of 1.5A @ 5V DC to connected USB devices.
Chassis Ground
The ground point in a system, typically on a metal chassis, where signals connect to an earth ground. In most cases, a grounded chassis helps shield circuits from EMI and RFI, and provides a safety connection to ground. This type of ground should not carry current. See also: Analog Ground and Digital Ground.
Coil
The wire-wound electromagnetic core of a relay or solenoid. See also: Relay and Solenoid.
COM
1. Abbreviation of "Communication" (e.g., COM Port). 2. Acronym for "Computer on Module", an integrated computing form factor (i.e., COM Express).
Common Reference
A single reference point for one or more signals.
Complement
In logic, an operation in which a logic 1 becomes a logic 0, and vice versa. In binary numbers, the complement of 101100 = 010011.
Coulomb
(Symbol: C) A unit for measuring the electrical charge accumulated over one second of continuously receiving one amp of current (1 C = 1 A * 1 s). Named after Charles-Augustin de Coulomb (1736-1806). See: Amp
CPU
Central Processing Unit – The decision-making part of a computer, usually found within a computer’s microprocessor.
CRC
Cyclic Redundancy Check
CSV
Comma Separated Values format. Actually, semicolon is more commonly used as separator than comma.
Current (Electrical)
A measure of the amount of electron flow in a circuit, typically measured in amperes (A) or milliamperes (mA).
Darlington Output
A configuration of output transistors that can handle high currents. Usually found on the outputs of sensors or buffers that drive relays or solenoids.
DCE
Data Communication Equipment. A communication device that controls the communication link. In serial communication, the DCE device is generally a modem or other serial device. See also DTE.
DCP
Acronym for Dedicated Charging Port. Refers to a USB port defined in the Battery Charging Specification (BC v1.2) that is used strictly for power, requires no host connection and provides no data transfer capabilities.
DDI
Acronym for Digital Display Interface. Depending on electrical interface and pin out, DDI can refer to DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, SDVO or other digital video interfaces.
Derate
A decrease in the rating of device characteristics, depending on operating conditions.
Differential Manchester Encoding
A method of encoding serial data where a 1 is represented by a transition at the center of the bit cell with the opposite polarity from the transition at the center of the preceding bit cell. A 0 is represented by a transition at the center of the bit cell with the same polarity as the transition at the center of the preceding bit cell. In both cases, transitions at the beginning of the bit cell set up the level required to make the correct center transition. Also referred to as conditioned diphase or differential bi-phase encoding.
Digital
A system that uses discrete states to represent information.
Digital Ground
A common 0V ground reference for all digital signals. Digital ground and analog ground systems are usually wired separately to avoid introducing digital noise into the analog circuit.
Diode
An electronic component that lets current flow only in one direction.
DisplayPort
A VESA standard digital video interface that can transmit video, audio, USB and other forms of data.
Driver
1. A driver circuit, or buffer, that operates high-current or high-voltage devices. 2. Driver software links application programs and specific I/O devices.
Dry Contact
1. Metallic contacts in a relay or switch that mechanically touch to make a contact. 2. Contacts through which no current flows. See: Wet Contact.
DTE
Data Terminal Equipment. A communication device that generates or receives data. In serial communication, the DTE device is generally a computer or host. See also DCE.
DVI
Acronym for Digital Visual Interface. The DVI was developed to provide a digital video transmission method to replace the analog VGA interface.
Earth Ground
The ground point in a system that provides the lowest voltage-reference point, or "earth." An earth ground usually connects to a power-line ground, a ground rod, or in some cases, cold-water plumbing. An earth ground should not carry current.
EMI
Electro Magnetic Interference – Energy induced into a circuit by radiated emissions. EMI may cause unpredictable results. See: RFI.
Endspan
A network switch (PSE) that provides power to PoE-powered devices. See: PoE, PSE, Midspan
Energize
To provide power to a device or circuit. Typically to power a relay coil, thus forcing it to change the state of its contacts.
Excitation Voltage
A voltage that powers a sensor or transducer.
FIFO
An acronym for First In, First Out. Describes the order data is manipulated in a buffer.
Flag
1. An electronic device, usually with two possible states, that signals an external event to a computer. 2. An internal CPU indicator that signals a condition such as register overflow or error. Sensed with software.
Flash Charts Pro
Flash Charts Pro is a flash charting component that can be used to render data-driven & animated charts for your web applications and presentations.
Flip Flop
A bistable logic circuit that changes state due to an input event, generally a clock or pulse signal. A flip-flop remains in that state until the next input event causes it to "flip" or "flop" to its other state.
Floating Ground
An isolated Ground reference point that is not connected to Earth Ground. A battery is an example of a power source with a floating ground.
Floating Signal
An analog signal that has an isolated Ground reference point instead of an Earth Ground reference point. Examples include outputs from transformers, thermistors, battery-powered devices and optical isolators.
Form A
Form-A Relay – A relay that supplies normally-open (NO) SPST contacts.
Form B
Form-B Relay – A relay that supplies normally-closed (NC) SPST contacts.
Form C
Form-C Relay – A relay that supplies normally-open and normally-closed SPDT contacts.
Form Maker Pro
Form Maker Pro is truly the snazziest web application for creating usable and great-looking web site forms.
Form Processor Pro
Form Processor Pro is a tool used to gather feedback and client’s information on your web sites.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol
Full Duplex
Refers to the simultaneous transmission of data in two directions, each over a discrete signal path. In RS-485 networks, commonly called four-wire communication.
Gate
A logic device that performs Boolean-logic operations.
Gated
A signal that is enabled, allowed to operate, or allowed to pass through a circuit depending on the state of a separate logic condition or signal.
GPS
An acronym for Global Positioning System. Uses an array of orbiting satellites to provide accurate navigation around the world.
Ground
A zero-volt reference point in a system. Provides the reference for all other voltages.
Half Duplex
Refers to the transmission of data in one direction at a time, typically over the same signal path. In RS-485 networks, commonly called two-wire communication.
HDMI
Acronym for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. A compact audio/video interface for transmitting a video signal, up to eight audio channels, a consumer-electronics control signal, and an Ethernet data connection.
Hex Digit
Contraction of hexadecimal digit. The term specifies four bits, or half an Octet. See Nibble.
Hexit
Slang term for Hexadecimal Digit. The term specifies four bits, or half an Octet. See Nibble.
High Impedance
1. A high resistance that reduces current flow. 2. A third state in special logic devices that "disconnects" them from a bus.
High Side Switch
A switch that makes a connection directly to power at a higher voltage than that at the controlled load.
HTML
Hyper-Text Markup Language
I/O
Input/output, as in I/O port. See: Port.
Impedance
Similar to resistance, an impedance represents the total opposition to the flow of current offered by a circuit. Impedance equals the vector sum of resistance and reactance, which is the complex resistance resulting from inductance and capacitance, not just pure resistance. Measured in ohms, and given the symbol, Z.
Inrush Current
A large charging current that flows into a capacitor or circuit when power is first applied.
Interposing Relay
A relay that isolates the circuit driving it, and switches a higher current or voltage than the driving circuit could provide. See: Relay.
Inverter
A logic device that complements the logic state of its input. See: Complement.
ISA
Industry Standard Architecture. An 8-bit or 16-bit communication bus standard developed to provide expansion slots on motherboards of IBM compatible computers.
Isolation
A condition that separates circuits so no current can flow between them. Special devices such as opto-couplers provide a signal path between two circuits, but without current flow between them.
ISP
Internet Service Provider
</