Glossary

active high

When the signal is high, the logic is high.

active low

When the signal is low, the logic is high. This is commonly represented with an overline.

asynchronous serial communications protocol

A communications protocol in which data is transmitted bit-by-bit over a channel and is not synchronized using an external clock signal.

conductor

A material through which charge can easily flow.

daisy chain configuration

A configuration in which the output of one component is the input of another component for all components in the configuration.

dual in-line package

Also called DIP for short, a type of component package with rectangular housing and metal legs coming out the sides so that it can be mounted on a PCB or put in a DIP socket. Often said to look like a bug.

full duplex

A mode in which communication is allowed in both directions simultaneously.

half duplex

A mode in which communication is only allowed in one direction at a time.

IC

An integrated circuit.

main-sub model

A model where a primary "main" device or process controls one or more secondary "sub" devices or processes. This is also known as "primary-secondary," "leader-worker," "controller-device," "master-slave" (deprecated), or any other similar language.

multidrop configuration

A configuration in which all components are connected discretely.

shift register

A circuit that can receive data in serial and then output to multiple pins in parallel.

synchronous serial communications protocol

A communications protocol in which data is transmitted bit-by-bit over a channel and is synchronized using an external clock signal.