Appendix; Glossary - Addi-Data MSX-E1701 Technical Description

Appendix

8 Appendix

8.1 Glossary

Cascading
Cascading means connecting multiple similar
elements together to enhance their individual
effect. The individual elements must be such
that the outputs of a given element are
compatible with the inputs of the subsequent
element in terms of values and functionality.
Counter
A counter is a circuit that counts pulses or
measures pulse duration.
Data acquisition
Data acquisition means gathering information
from sources such as sensors and transducers in
an accurate, timely and organised manner.
Modern systems convert this information to
digital data which can be stored and processed
by a computer.
Digital signal
A digital signal is a digital representation of a
constantly changing value or other piece of
information. Digital signals consist of a finite
number of values. The smallest possible
difference between two digital values is
referred to as the resolution. Digital signals are
discontinuous in terms of value and time
ranges.
Driver
A driver is a series of software instructions
written specifically to manage particular
devices.
EMC
= Electromagnetic Compatibility
The definition of the VDE regulation 0870
states: Electromagnetic compatibility is the
ability of an electrical installation to function
satisfactorily within its electromagnetic
environment without unduly affecting its
environment and the equipment it contains.
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ESD
= Electrostatic Discharge
On non-conductive surfaces, an electric charge
is conducted away very slowly. If the dielectric
strength is overcome, there is a fast potential
equalisation between the surfaces involved.
The often very sudden equalisation process is
referred to as electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Currents of up to 20 A may occur in this
process.
Ethernet
The Ethernet is a baseband bus system
originally developed in order to connect mini-
computers. It is based on the CSMA/CD access
method. Coaxial cables or twisted-pair cables
are used as the transmission medium.
The transmission speeds are 10 Mbit/s
(Ethernet), 100 Mbit/s (Fast Ethernet) and
1 Gbit/s or 10 Gbit/s (Gigabit-Ethernet). This
widely used technology for computer
networking in a LAN has been standardised
since 1985 (IEEE 802.3 and ISO 8802-3).
Ethernet technology is now common practice in
the office environment. After making even very
tough real-time requirements possible and
adapting the device technology (bus cables,
patch fields, junction boxes) to the harsh
application conditions of the industrial
environment, Ethernet is now also increasingly
used in the field areas of automation
technology.
Event
An event is an occurrence detected by the MSX-
E system. Where e. g. a short-circuit is detected
and an event is activated, a short-circuit
warning can be sent via the event server.
Ground line
Ground lines should not be seen as potential-
free return lines. Different ground points may
have small potential differences. This is always
true with large currents and may cause
inaccuracy in high-resolution circuits.
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