Glossary - 5

group determines which characters are encoded. This continuous code typ e uses no intercharacter spaces. Only
numeric (0 to 9) and START/STOP characters may be encoded.
I/O Ports. interface The connection between two devices, defined by common phy sical characteristics, signal
characteristics, and signal meanings. Types of interfaces include RS-232 and PCMCIA.
IOCTL. Input/Output Control.
IP Address. (Internet Protocol address) The address of a computer attached to an IP network. Every client and server
station must have a unique IP address. A 32-bit address used by a computer on a IP netwo rk. Client workstations have
either a permanent address or one that is dynamically assigned to them each sess ion. IP addresses are written as four
sets of numbers separated by periods; for example, 204.171.64.2.
IPX/SPX. Internet Package Exchange/Sequential Packet Exchange. A communications protocol for Nove ll. IPX is Novell’s
Layer 3 protocol, similar to XNS and IP, and used in NetWare networks. SPX is No vell's version of the Xerox SPP
protocol.
IS-95. Interim Standard 95. The EIA/TIA standard that governs the o peration of CDMA cellular service. Versions include
IS-95A and IS-95B. See CDMA.
K
Key. A key is the specific code used by the algorithm to encrypt or decrypt the data. Also see, Encryptio n and Decrypting.
L
LASER. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.The laser i s an intense light source. Light from a laser is
all the same frequency, unlike the output of an incandesce nt bulb. Laser light is typically coherent and has a high en ergy
density.
Laser Diode. A gallium-arsenide semiconductor type of laser connected to a power sou rce to generate a laser beam. This
laser type is a compact source of coherent light.
Laser Scanner. A type of bar code reader that uses a beam of laser light.
LCD. See Liquid Crystal Display.
LED Indicator. A semiconductor diode (LED - Light Emitting Diode) used as an indicator, o ften in digital displays. The
semiconductor uses applied voltage to produce light of a certai n frequency determined by the semiconductor's particular
chemical composition.
Light Emitting Diode. See LED.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). A display that uses liquid crystal sealed between two gla ss plat es. T he cry stal s ar e exci ted
by precise electrical charges, causing them to reflect light outside according to their bias. They use little electricity and
react relatively quickly. They require external light to reflect their informati on to the user.