Programming instructions

Glossary
© National Instruments Corporation G-3 LabVIEW Data Acquisition Basics Manual
B
BCD Binary-coded decimal.
bipolar A signal range that includes both positive and negative values
(for example, –5 to 5 V).
buffer Temporary storage for acquired or generated data.
C
cascading Process of extending the counting range of a counter chip by connecting to
the next higher counter.
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.
channel clock The clock controlling the time interval between individual channel
sampling within a scan. Boards with simultaneous sampling do not have
this clock.
channel name A unique name given to a channel configuration in the DAQ Channel
Wizard.
circular-buffered I/O Input/output operation that reads or writes more data points than can fit in
the buffer. When LabVIEW reaches the end of the buffer, LabVIEW
returns to the beginning of the buffer and continues to transfer data.
clock Hardware component that controls timing for reading from or writing to
groups.
cluster A set of ordered, unindexed data elements of any data type including
numeric, Boolean, string, array, or cluster. The elements must be all
controls or all indicators.
code width The smallest detectable change in an input voltage of a DAQ device.
column-major order A way to organize the data in a 2D array by columns.
common-mode voltage Any voltage present at the instrumentation amplifier inputs with respect to
amplifier ground.