Glossary
Acquisition | A collection of scans acquired at a specified rate as controlled by the sequencer. |
Analog | A signal of varying voltage or current that communicates data. |
A circuit or device that converts analog values into digital values, such as binary bits, for use in | |
Converter (ADC) | digital computer processing. |
API | Application Program Interface. The interface program within the Daq system’s driver that |
| includes function calls specific to Daq hardware and can be used with |
| (several languages supported). |
Bipolar | A range of analog signals with positive and negative values (e.g., |
Buffer | Buffer refers to a circuit or device that allows a signal to pass through it, while providing |
| isolation, or another function, without altering the signal. Buffer usually refers to: |
| (a) A device or circuit that allows for the temporary storage of data during data transfers. |
| Such storage can compensate for differences in data flow rates. In a FIFO (First In - First |
| Out) buffer, the data that is stored first is also the first data to leave the buffer. |
| (b) A follower stage used to drive a number of gates without overloading the preceding stage. |
| (c) An amplifier which accepts high source impedance input and results in low source |
| impedance output (effectively, an impedance buffer). |
Buffer Amplifier | An amplifier used primarily to match two different impedance points, and isolate one stage from |
| a succeeding stage in order to prevent an undesirable interaction between the two stages. |
| (Also see, Buffer). |
Channel | In reference to Daq devices, channel simply refers to a single input, or output entity. |
| In a broader sense, an input channel is a signal path between the transducer at the point of |
| measurement and the data acquisition system. A channel can go through various stages |
| (buffers, multiplexers, or signal conditioning amplifiers and filters). Input channels are |
| periodically sampled for readings. |
| An output channel from a device can be digital or analog. Outputs can vary in a programmed |
| way in response to an input channel signal. |
Common mode | Common mode pertains to signals that are identical in amplitude and duration; also can be used |
| in reference to signal components. |
Common mode | Common mode voltage refers to a voltage magnitude (referenced to a common point) that is |
voltage | shared by two or more signals. Example: referenced to common, Signal 1 is +5 VDC and |
| Signal 2 is +6 VDC. The common mode voltage for the two signals is +5.5 VDC [(5 + 6)/2]. |
Crosstalk | An undesired transfer of signals between systems or system components. Crosstalk causes |
| signal interference, more commonly referred to as noise. |
Digital | A digital signal is one of discrete value, in contrast to a varying signal. Combinations of binary |
| digits (0s and 1s) represent digital data. |
A circuit or device that converts digital values (binary bits), into analog signals. | |
Converter (DAC) |
|
DIP switch | A DIP switch is a group of miniature switches in a small Dual |
| users set these switches to configure their particular application. |
Differential mode | The differential mode measures a voltage between 2 signal lines for a single channel. (Also see |
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Glossary | 959395 |