Network Card User Manual

Glossary

BIOS basic input/output system—BIOS functions are the fundamental level

of any PC or compatible computer. BIOS functions embody the basic

operations needed for successful use of the computer hardware resources.

bus the group of conductors that interconnect individual circuitry in a computer.

Typically, a bus is the expansion vehicle to which I/O or other devices are

connected. Examples of PC buses are the ISA and PCI bus.

cache high-speed processor memory that buffers commonly used instructions or

data to increase processing throughput

channel Pin or wire lead to which you apply or from which you read the analog or

digital signal. Analog signals can be single-ended or differential. For digital

signals, you group channels to form ports. Ports usually consist of either

four or eight digital channels.

DAQ data acquisition—(1) collecting and measuring electrical signals from

sensors, transducers, and test probes or fixtures and inputting them to a

computer for processing; (2) collecting and measuring the same kinds of

electrical signals with A/D and/or DIO boards plugged into a computer,

and possibly generating control signals with D/A and/or DIO boards in the

same computer