Installation guide

Glossary
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890 USE 101 00 October 2006
network A system consisting of the cable media components and the communication nodes.
node An intelligent unit or option on the RIO network, either an RIO processor or a drop
adapter.
noise EMI/RFI generated outside the media by electrical devices and induced on the cable
system.
nondirectional
signal
A signal that is allowed to travel in any possible directions or is not restricted to travel
in only one direction.
output module A device used to connect to field outputs. This module mounts into an I/O housing
at a drop/channel location.
packet A self-contained block of data with specific protocol parameters, which is transmitted
over the media. A message can comprise many packets.
phase delay
distortion
The difference in arrival time between the higher frequency signals and lower
frequency signals over distance. Wave form distortion results from the delay in the
arrival of the lower frequency signals. Phase delay increases as the length of the
cable medium increases.
preamble A preset bit pattern at the start of a transmission, allowing other nodes to
synchronize with the incoming message.
protocol An agreed upon set of parameters known to each node that allows the nodes to
communicate with each other.
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This document provided by Barr-Thorp Electric Co., Inc. 800-473-9123 www.barr-thorp.com