Product data

APCI-7xxx-3 Figures and Tables
10 GLOSSARY
Table 10-1: Glossary
Term Description
A/D converter = ADC
An electronic device that produces a digital output directly
proportional to an analog signal output.
Acquisition The process by which data is gathered by the computer for analysis or
storage.
Baud rate Serial communications data transmission rate; usually the number of
bits-per-second.
D/A converter = DAC
A device that converts digital information into a corresponding analog
voltage or current.
Data acquisition Gathering information from sources such as sensors and transducers
in an accurate, timely and organized manner. Modern systems convert
this information to digital data which can be stored and processed by a
computer.
DC voltage
= Direct current voltage
DC voltage means that the voltage is constant respecting the time. It
will always fluctuate slightly. Especially at switching on and
switching off the transition behaviour is of high significance.
Disturb signal Interferences that occur during the transfer caused by reduced
bandwidth, attenuation, gain, noise, delay time etc.
Driver A part of the software that is used to control a specific hardware
device such as a data acquisition board or a printer.
Duplex The ability to both send and receive data simultaneously over the
same communications line
Gain The factor by which an incoming signal is multiplied.
Ground A common reference point for an electrical system.
Half duplex Transmission in either direction, but not simultaneous
Handshaking Exchange of predetermined signals between two devices establishing
a connection. Usually part of a communications protocol
Impedance The reciprocal of admittance. Admittance is the complex ratio of the
voltage across divided by the current flowing through a device, circuit
element, or network.
Inductive loads The voltage over the inductor is U=L.(dI/dt), whereas L is the
inductivity and I is the current. If the current is switched on fast, the
voltage over the load can become very highly for a short time.
Input impedance The measured resistance and capacitance between the high and low
inputs of a circuit.
Limit value Exceeding the limit values, even for just a short time, can lead to the
destruction or to a loss of functionality.
Low-pass filter Transmitting all frequencies below a certain value
MUX = Multiplexer
An array of semiconductor or electromechanical switches with a
common output used for selecting one of a number of input signals.
Noise immunity Noise immunity is the ability of a device to work during an
electromagnetic interference without reduced functions.
60