©NationalInstruments Corporation G-1 RT Series DAQ Device User Manual
GlossaryB
BIOS basic input/output system—BIOS functions are the fundamental level
ofany PC or compatible co mputer.BIOS functions embody the basic
operationsneeded for successful use ofthe computer hardware resources.
bus thegroup 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 PCbuses are the ISA and PCI bus.
C
cache high-speed processor memory that bufferscommonly used instructions or
data to increase processing throughput
channel Pinor wire lead to which you apply or from which you read the analog or
digitalsignal. Analog signals can be single-ended or d ifferential. For digital
signals, you group channels to form ports. Ports usually consist of either
four or eight digital channels.
D
DAQ data acquisition—(1) collecting and measuring electrical signals from
sensors, transducers, and test probes or fixtures and inputting them to a
computerfor processing;(2) collecting and measuring the same kinds of
electricalsignals w ith 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