Glossary
National Instruments Corporation G-3 VXI-MIO Series User Manual
B
backplane An assembly, typically a printed circuit board, with 96-pin
connectors and signal paths that bus the connector pins. VXIbus
systems will have two sets of bused connectors, called the J1 and
J2 backplanes, or have three sets of bused connectors, called the
J1, J2, and J3 backplane.
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.
BCD binary-coded decimal
BIOS basic input/output system or built-in operating system
bipolar A signal range that includes both positive and negative values (for
example, -5 to +5 V).
bit One binary digit, either 0 or 1.
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.
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.
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.
clock Hardware component that controls timing for reading from or
writing to groups.
CMOS complementary metal-oxide semiconductor
CMRR common-mode rejection ratio