Programming instructions

Glossary
© National Instruments Corporation G-3 DAQ Hardware Overview Guide
B
background
acquisition
Data is acquired by a DAQ system while another program or processing
routine is running without apparent interruption.
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
bipolar A signal range that includes both positive and negative values (for example,
−5 V to +5 V).
bit One binary digit, either 0 or 1.
block-mode A high-speed data transfer in which the address of the data is sent followed
by a specified number of back-to-back data words.
buffer temporary storage for acquired or generated data (software)
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. Examples of PC buses are the AT bus, NuBus, Micro
Channel, and EISA bus.
byte Eight related bits of data, an 8-bit binary number. Also used to denote the
amount of memory required to store one byte of data.
C
C Celsius
CI computing index
cold-junction
compensation
A method of compensating for inaccuracies in thermocouple circuits.
compiler A software utility that converts a source program in a high-level
programming language, such as BASIC, C, or Pascal, into an object or
compiled program in machine language. Compiled programs run 10 to
1,000 times faster than interpreted programs.