National Instruments PCI-4452 User Manual
Page 91
Glossary
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National Instruments Corporation
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PCI-4451/4452 User Manual
B
b
bit—one binary digit, either 0 or 1
B
byte—eight related bits of data, an eight-bit binary number. Also used to
denote the amount of memory required to store one byte of data
bandwidth
the range of frequencies present in a signal, or the range of frequencies to
which a measuring device can respond
base address
a memory address that serves as the starting address for programmable
registers. All other addresses are located by adding to the base address.
binary
a number system with a base of 2
bipolar
a signal range that includes both positive and negative values (for example,
–5 V to +5 V)
BNC
a type of coaxial signal connector
buffer
temporary storage for acquired or generated data (software)
burst-mode
a high-speed data transfer in which the address of the data is sent followed
by back-to-back data words while a physical signal is asserted
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.
bus master
a type of a plug-in board or controller with the ability to read and write
devices on the computer bus
C
C
Celsius
CalDAC
calibration DAC
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.
circuit trigger
a condition for starting or stopping clocks
User.book Page 3 Tuesday, April 14, 1998 10:20 AM