Glossary
© National Instruments Corporation G-5 NI 5102 User Manual
counter/timer a circuit that counts external pulses or clock pulses (timing)
coupling the manner in which a signal is connected from one location to another
C
p
probe capacitance
CPU central processing unit
crosstalk an unwanted signal on one channel due to an input on a different channel
current drive
capability
the amount of current a digital or analog output channel is capable of
sourcing or sinking while still operating within voltage range specifications
current sinking the ability of a DAQ device to dissipate current for analog or digital output
signals
current sourcing the ability of a DAQ device to supply current for analog or digital
output signals
D
D/A digital-to-analog
D*/A digital-to-analog, active low
DAC digital-to-analog converter—an electronic device, often an integrated
circuit, that converts a digital number into a corresponding analog voltage
or current
daisy-chain a method of propagating signals along a bus, in which the devices are
prioritized on the basis of their position on the bus
DAQ data acquisition—(1) collecting and measuring electrical signals from
sensors, transducers, and test probes or fixtures and inputting them to a
computer for processing; (2) collecting and measuring the same kinds of
electrical signalswith A/D and/orDIO boards plugged intoa computer,and
possibly generating control signals with D/A and/or DIO boards in the
same computer
dB decibel—the unit for expressing a logarithmic measure of the ratio of
two signal levels: dB=20log10 V1/V2, for signals in volts
DC direct current
