Automating Manufacturing Systems - Process Control and ...

plc glossary - 35.5
bottom-up design - the opposite of top-down design. In this methodology the most simple/basic functions
are designed first. These simple elements are then combined into more complex elements. This
continues until all of the hierarchical design elements are complete.
bounce - switch contacts may not make absolute contact when switching. They make and break contact a
few times as they are coming into contact.
Bourdon tube - a pressure tube that converts pressure to displacement.
BPS (Bits Per Second) - the total number of bits that can be passed between a sender and listener in one
second. This is also known as the BAUD rate.
branch - a command in a program that can cause it to start running elsewhere.
bread board - a term used to describe a temporary electronic mounting board. This is used to prototype a
circuit before doing final construction. The main purpose is to verify the basic design.
breadth first search - an AI search technique that examines all possible decisions before making the next
move.
breakaway torque - the start-up torque. The value is typically high, and is a function of friction, inertia,
deflection, etc.
breakdown torque - the maximum torque that an AC motor can produce at the rated voltage and frequency.
bridge - 1. an arrangement of (typically 4) balanced resistors used for measurement. 2. A network device
that connects two different networks, and sorts out packets to pass across.
broadband networks - multiple frequencies are used with multiplexing to increase the transmission rates in
networks.
broad-band noise - the noise spectrum for a particular noise source is spread over a large range of
frequencies.
broadcast - a network term that describes a general broadcast that should be delivered to all clients on a
network. For example this is how Ethernet sends all of its packets.
brush - a sliding electrical conductor that conducts power to/from a rotor.
BSC (Binary Synchronous Communication) - a byte oriented synchronous communication protocol
developed by IBM.
BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) - one of the major versions of UNIX.
buffer - a temporary area in which data is stored on its way from one place to another. Used for
communication bottlenecks and asynchronous connections.
bugs - hardware or software problems that prevent desired components operation.
burn-in - a high temperature pre-operation to expose system problems.
burner - a term often used for a device that programs EPROMs, PALs, etc. or a bad cook.
bus - a computer has buses (collections of conductors) to move data, addresses, and control signals between
components. For example to get a memory value, the address value provided the binary memory
address, the control bus instructs all the devices to read/write, and to examine the address. If the
address is valid for one part of the computer, it will put a value on the data bus that the CPU can
then read.
byte - an 8 bit binary number. The most common unit for modern computers.
35.3 C
C - A programming language that followed B (which followed A). It has been widely used in software
development in the 80s and 90s. It has grown up to become C++ and Java.
CAA (Computer Aided Analysis) - allows the user to input the definition of a part and calculate the
performance variables.
cable - a communication wire with electrical and mechanical shielding for harsh environments.
CAD (Computer Aided Design) - is the creation and optimization of the design itself using the computer as
a productivity tool. Components of CAD include computer graphics, a user interface, and
geometric modelling.
CAD (Computer Aided Drafting) - is one component of CAD which allows the user to input engineering