The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics - Loscha

linear amplifier • linear scale 409linear amplifier 1. An amplifier for which a linearrelationship exists between input and output parameters(e.g., a high-fidelity audio amplifier).2. A class-AB radio-frequency power amplifier thatdoes not distort the envelope of an amplitudemodulated(AM) or single-sideband (SSB) signal.It is commonly used by amateur radio operators.linear array A directional antenna having equallyspaced, in-line elements.linear circuit 1. A circuit whose output is a faithfulreproduction of the input. See LINEAR AMPLI-FIER, 1 and LINEAR DETECTOR. 2. A circuitwhose performance is linear. See LINEAR RE-SPONSE, 1.linear decrement In a damped wave, a constantdecrease in amplitude with time, as opposed to adecrease that is a logarithmic or otherwise nonlinearfunction of time. Compare DECREMENT.linear detector A detector whose output/input relationshipis linear. Also see LINEAR, 2, 3; LIN-EAR CIRCUIT, 1; and LINEAR RESPONSE, 1, 2,3.linear differential transformer A device that convertsthe physical position of an object into anoutput voltage or current. The voltage or currentis directly proportional to the displacement.linear distortion Amplitude distortion in whichthe output and input signal envelopes are disproportionate(in the absence of spurious frequencies).linear equation See FIRST-DEGREE EQUATION.linear function 1. In Cartesian two-space, a functionof the form y = mx + b, where the coordinatesare (x,y), the slope is m (any real number) and b isthe point on the y axis at which the graph crossesthe axis. 2. Any function in any number of dimensionswhose graph appears as a straight linein the Cartesian system of coordinates.ylinear functionlinear IC See LINEAR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT.linear integrated circuit An integrated circuit designedfor analog operations (such as signalxamplification, oscillation, nondigital regulation,analog instrumentation, and similar applications).Compare DIGITAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT.linearity 1. The degree to which performance orresponse approaches the condition of being linear,expressed in percent or parts per million.Also see LINEAR AMPLIFIER, 1; LINEAR CIR-CUIT, 1, 2; LINEAR OSCILLATOR, 1; LINEAR RE-SPONSE, 1, 2, 3; and LINEAR TAPER. 2. In acathode-ray-tube image, absence of compressionor stretching of any portion of the image; that is,an undistorted reproduction.linearity control In a cathode-ray-tube display,the potentiometer used to correct image linearity.See LINEARITY, 2.linearity error 1. The difference between a theoreticallylinear function and the actual function,as observed under experimental conditions.2. The degree of nonlinearity in an amplifier thatis supposed to be linear.linear modulation 1. Modulation in which theinstantaneous amplitude of the input signal isdirectly proportional to the instantaneous amplitudeof the output signal. 2. Modulation in whichthe instantaneous amplitude of the input signalis inversely proportional to the instantaneousamplitude of the output signal. 3. Modulation inwhich the instantaneous amplitude of the inputsignal is directly proportional to the frequency orphase deviation of the output signal.linear motor A motor in which the stator and rotorare parallel and straight.linear oscillator 1. An oscillator whose alternating-currentoutput amplitude varies linearly withits direct-current input. 2. A line-type oscillator.linear programming A method of determining theoptimum value for a certain set of linear equations.Generally, this is done by finding the pointon a plane in space closest to some point not onthe plane.linear quantizing A method of quantizing in whichall of the intervals are of equal size or duration.An example is a linear analog-to-digital convertercircuit.linear reflex detector See INFINITE-IMPEDANCEDETECTOR.linear response 1. A response in which the valueof the dependent variable is equal or directly proportionalto the value of the independent variable.Thus, the graph of the response function is astraight line over the range of normal operatingvalues. Compare LOGARITHMIC RESPONSE, 1and SQUARE-LAW RESPONSE. 2. A type of responsein which a quantity (such as current)varies directly with another quantity (such asvoltage). Compare LOGARITHMIC RESPONSE, 2.3. Low-distortion response. Also see HIGH FI-DELITY.linear scale A scale in which all of the divisionsrepresent the same differential and are equallyspaced. On a linear scale, a given difference