18WuD2x

656 static skew • step counter
static skew In magnetic tape recording or playback,
the amount of lead or lag time of one track,
with respect to another. Ideally, the static skew
should be zero or practically zero.
static source current See DC SOURCE CURRENT.
static source resistance See DC SOURCE RESIS-
TANCE.
static source voltage See DC SOURCE VOLTAGE.
static storage Also called nonvolatile storage. In a
computer, a data storage medium (such as magnetic
or optical disk) in which information is
stored until it is altered or erased. It does not require
a source of power to maintain the integrity
of the data. Virtually all data storage media are of
this type, as contrasted with memory, which is often
volatile (see STATIC MEMORY and VOLATILE
MEMORY).
static stability The ability of a robot to maintain
its balance while standing still. A robot with two
legs is generally poor in this respect. This is one
of the reasons why humanoid robots (androids)
are difficult to engineer. A minimum of three legs
is necessary for good static stability.
static subroutine In computer programming, a
subroutine that always serves the same purpose
[i.e., it does not need to be tailored (according to
parameters) for a specific application].
station 1. An installation consisting of a transmitter,
receiver, or both. 2. A test-equipment installation
or position. 3. A computer installation
including peripherals.
stationary battery A (usually wet storage) battery
not normally moved when in use.
stationary state A particular energy state for an
atom represented by its electrons being in shells
at specific energy levels.
stationary wave See STANDING WAVE.
station authorization The legal privilege assigned
to a broadcast or communications station, allowing
that station to be used for the purpose of
transmitting electromagnetic signals.
station license See STATION AUTHORIZATION.
statistical quality control Quality control based
upon the techniques of probability and statistics
in analyzing findings, making predictions, and
formulating procedures for sampling.
statmho The cgs electrostatic unit of directcurrent
conductance; 1 statmho = 1.112650 ×
10 –12 siemens.
statoersted The cgs electrostatic unit of magnetizing
force; 1 statoersted = 265.458 A/m
(3.33585 × 10 –11 oersted).
statohm The cgs electrostatic unit of direct-current
resistance; 1 statohm = 8.987554 × 10 11 ohm.
stator 1. A stationary coil. Compare ROTOR, 1. 2.
The stationary member of a motor or generator.
Compare ROTOR, 2. 3. The stationary-plate section
of a variable capacitor. Compare ROTOR, 3.
stator coil A stationary coil (see STATOR, 1, 2).
stator plate(s) The stationary plate(s) of a variable
capacitor. Compare ROTOR PLATE.
stator plate
Stator
plates
stator section See STATOR, 3.
statoscope An aircraft altimeter that shows small
changes in altitude.
statvolt The cgs electrostatic unit of electromotive
force; 1 statvolt = 299.7925 volts.
statweber The cgs electrostatic unit of magnetic
flux; 1 statweber = 299.7925 webers (2.997925 ×
10 10 maxwells).
S T band A section of the S BAND, extending from
1850 to 2000 MHz.
std Abbreviation of STANDARD.
steady-state component A quantity whose value
remains constant during normal operation of a
circuit or device, as opposed to an alternating,
fluctuating, or transient component.
steerable antenna A directional antenna having a
rotatable major lobe.
steering diode See DIRECTIONAL DIODE.
Stefan-Boltzmann constant Value, 5.67051 ×
10 –8 Wm –2 K –4 .
Stefan-Boltzmann law The thermal-radiation law
that shows the total emissive power of a blackbody
to be proportional to the fourth power of the
absolute temperature of the body.
stenode See CRYSTAL FILTER.
step 1. A computer program instruction. 2. A single
action in the operation, maintenance, or troubleshooting
of equipment. 3. A specific increment
in a quantity (such as frequency, voltage, current,
etc.). 4. A sharp or rapid change in the value of a
quantity.
step-by-step operation See STEPTHROUGH OP-
ERATION.
step change A single-increment change in a value.
step circuit A circuit that produces a step (sharp
change of slope) in the response curve of an amplifier.
step counter 1. A stair-step circuit arranged to
count input pulses. The output capacitor of the
circuit discharges when a predetermined number
of input pulses has raised the capacitor voltage to
the level required to trigger a counter. 2. In a computer
or calculator, a circuit or device that counts
the steps in an operation (such as division, multiplication,
or shifting) called for by an instruction.