Keithley KPCI-PIO96 User Manual page 58

B-2 Glossary KPCI-PIO96 User's Manual
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Address
A number specifying a location in memory where data is stored.
API
See application programming interface.
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Application programming interface
A set of routines used by an application program to direct the performance of a procedure by the
computer's operating system.
Bus mastering
On a microcomputer bus such as the PCI bus, the ability of an expansion board to take control of
the bus and transfer data to memory at high speed, independently of the CPU. Replaces direct
memory access (DMA).
Bus
An interconnection system that allows each part of a computer to communicate with the
other parts.
Byte
A group of eight bits.
Contact bounce
The intermittent and undesired opening of relay contacts during closure, or closing of relay
contacts during opening.
Crosstalk
The coupling of a signal from one input to another (or from one channel to another or to the
output) by conduction or radiation. Crosstalk is expressed in decibels at a specified load and up
to a specific frequency.
Darlington
A high gain current amplifier composed of two bipolar transistors, typically integrated in a
single package.
DLL
See Dynamic Link Library.
Direct memory access
See DMA mode.
DMA mode
Direct memory access mode. Mode in which data transfers directly between an I/O device and
computer memory. In the most general sense, PCI bus mastering is a DMA mode. More
commonly, however, DMA mode refers to data transfers across the ISA bus, using a special
circuitry on the computer motherboard. See also bus mastering.
Driver
Software that controls a specific hardware device, such as a data acquisition board.
Dynamic Link Library (DLL)
A software module in Microsoft Windows containing executable code and data that can be called
or used by Windows applications or other DLLs. DLL functions and data are loaded and linked
at run time when they are referenced by a Windows application or other DLLs.
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Expansion slot
A socket in a computer designed to hold expansion boards and connect them to the system bus
(data pathway).
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