18WuD2x

loading factor • local side 415
loading factor The ratio of source impedance to
load impedance before the introduction of loading
circuits.
loading inductance 1. The inductance present in
a load. 2. An inductance used as a load.
loading routine Also called loading program. A
routine permanently in memory; it allows a program
to be loaded into memory from an external
storage medium.
load life The longevity of a device in terms of the
number of hours it can withstand its full power
rating.
load line In a group of voltage-current (EI) curves,
a line connecting points of equal resistance (E/I)
that are equal to a particular value of load resistance
(impedance).
load power The power dissipated in a load.
load regulation Automatic stabilization of load resistance
(impedance) at a constant value.
load resistance 1. The resistance present in a
load. 2. A resistance used as load.
load stabilizer A device for holding load current or
load voltage to a constant value.
loadstone Alternate spelling of LODESTONE.
load termination The load connected to the output
of a circuit or device as the terminal element
in a circuit or system.
load voltage The voltage developed across a load.
load-voltage stabilization Automatic regulation of
load voltage.
load wattage See LOAD POWER.
lobe In the directivity pattern of a transducer, a figure,
such as a circle or ellipse enclosing an area
of intensified response. Applicable especially to
antennas.
80 90 80
70
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lobe (pattern of
horizontal half-wave antenna)
lobing 1. In a transmitting or receiving antenna,
the effect of ground reflection, resulting in phase
reinforcement (lobes) at some elevation angles
and phase opposition (nulls) at other angles.
2. The pattern of secondary maxima in the
radiation response of a directional antenna.
local action Electrolysis between separate areas of
a single electrode immersed in an electrolyte. The
action is caused by impurities at different spots
in the electrode metal, causing one spot to act as
an anode and the other as a cathode, thereby creating
a small battery cell.
local alarm In security applications, a visible
and/or audible alarm that can be seen and/or
heard easily throughout the protected zone.
local area network Abbreviation, LAN. A group of
computers and/or terminals that are linked together
within a relatively small geographic area,
such as a college campus. Interconnections are
usually made via cable. There are several different
configurations, called topologies.
local battery In wire telephony, a battery installed
on the subscriber’s premises.
local broadcast station A standard broadcast station
licensed in the local service. See LOCAL
CHANNEL and LOCAL STATION.
local channel A channel in the standard amplitude-modulation
(AM) broadcast band, intended
to serve only the area near the station. Transmitter
power and operating time are restricted to
prevent long-distance propagation.
local control The control of a radio transmitter
from the site (in contrast to remote control).
local feature focus In robotic systems, the use of
only a small portion of the available image data to
perform a function. The robot computer recognizes
and acts on the data it needs, disregarding
the rest.
local feedback Feedback within a circuit stage.
localizer A radionavigation transmitter whose signal
guides aircraft to the centerline of a runway.
local oscillator Abbreviation, LO. In a wireless
transmitter, one of the oscillators that contributes
to the signal that is ultimately modulated and
transmitted. The LO output is mixed with the output
of a variable-frequency oscillator (VFO). The
LO frequency can be switchable at increments of
several hundred kilohertz (500 kHz and 1000 kHz
are typical), facilitating band changes when mixed
with the VFO output. In some transmitters, the
LO can operate at a single, fixed frequency if the
VFO tunes over an exceptionally wide range.
local program A program that originates at the
same single broadcast station from which it is
transmitted.
local reception The reception of signals from local
stations. Compare LONG-DISTANCE COMMUNI-
CATIONS.
local side The group of circuits and components
associated with a communications terminal at a
given location.