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digital computer • digital representation 189
digital computer A high-speed, electronic machine
for performing mathematical operations,
file management, machine control, or other “intelligent”
functions, and whose basic internal
operations (data storage, comparing, and computation)
are based on semiconductor devices assuming
one of two states (on or off, high or low).
Compare ANALOG COMPUTER.
digital data Information represented and processed
in the form of combinations of digits (0
and 1, in the binary system).
digital-data cable A cable designed to conduct
high-speed digital pulses with minimal distortion
and loss.
digital data-handling system A system that accepts,
sorts, modifies, classifies, or records digital
data, displaying the final result or passing the
data to a computer.
digital delay circuit A device that stores digitized
audio data, and releases it after a specified delay.
digital device 1. A digital integrated circuit (IC). 2.
Any circuit or system that operates by digital
means.
digital differential analyzer Abbreviation, DDA. A
digital computer that can perform integration using
specialized circuitry.
digital display A presentation of information (such
as the answer to a problem) in the form of actual
digits, as opposed to one in the form of, for example,
a meter deflection. See, for example, DIGI-
TAL-TYPE METER.
digital divider In a computer, a device that can divide
(i.e., provide a quotient and remainder using
dividend and divisor signals).
digital electrometer An electrometer that has a
digital current or voltage indicator.
digital electronics The branch of electronics concerned
with components, circuits, and systems
that use signals having an integral number of discrete
levels or values, as opposed to signals
whose levels or values vary over a continuous
range. Compare ANALOG ELECTRONICS.
digital frequency meter A direct-reading frequency
meter using high-speed electronic switching
circuits and a digital readout. Such
instruments read frequency from less than 1 Hz
to many gigahertz.
digital HIC A hybrid integrated circuit (HIC) designed
for digital applications. Also see DIGITAL
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT.
digital IC See DIGITAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT.
digital incremental plotter A device that can
draw, according to signals received from a computer,
graphs depicting solutions to problems.
digital information See DIGITAL DATA.
digital information display See DIGITAL DIS-
PLAY.
digital integrated circuit An integrated circuit
(IC) intended for binary operations, such as
switching, gating, etc. Compare LINEAR INTE-
GRATED CIRCUIT.
digital integrator A device that can perform integration,
in which increments in input variables,
and an output variable, are represented by digital
signals.
digital logic A form of Boolean algebra, consisting
of negation, conjunction, and disjunction, in
which the binary digit 1 has the value “true” and
0 the value “false” (in positive logic) or vice versa
(in negative logic). Digital logic is the basis by
which all digital devices function.
digital-logic module 1. A circuit that performs
digital operations. 2. A logic gate.
digital meter A meter that produces a readout in
discrete blocks or directly as numerals. The first,
more primitive and less precise type, is known as a
BAR METER. The second, more sophisticated type
can resolve to several significant digits and often
includes a fixed or floating radix point. This
scheme eliminates the need for personnel to interpolate
the reading on a scale. There is little chance
for error on the part of the technician or engineer,
because the readout is straightforward. Another
advantage is the fact that there are no moving
parts to wear out or be damaged by physical shock.
Compare ANALOG METER.
digital multimeter Abbreviation, DMM. A
voltohm-milliammeter producing a digital readout
of measured values.
digital multiplex 1. The combination of several or
many digital signals into a single digital signal. 2.
Also called digital demultiplex. The reverse process
from that defined in 1, in which the original
signals are obtained from the combination signal.
3. Communication using the techniques defined
in 1 and 2.
digital multiplex equipment Equipment that accomplishes
digital multiplexing or the reverse
process, digital demultiplexing.
digital multiplier In a digital computer, a device
that produces a product signal from multiplier
and multiplicand signals.
digital output An output signal of digital pulses
representing a number equal or proportional to
the value of a corresponding input signal.
digital panel meter A numeric-readout meter whose
relatively small size allows mounting on a panel.
digital phase shifter A phase shifter actuated by a
digital control signal.
digital photometer An electronic photometer providing
a digital readout of illumination values.
digital power meter An electronic wattmeter providing
a digital readout of measured power.
digital readout An indicating device that displays
a sequence of numerals that represent a measured
value.
digital recording A system for tape-recording
high-fidelity sound. The audio is converted from
analog to binary digital form, and the binary digits
(bits) are recorded on magnetic tape.
digital representation The use of digital signals to
represent information as characters or numbers.