The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics - Loscha

28 analog inverting adder • AND circuitanalog inverting adder An analog adder that deliversa sum with the opposite sign to that of theinput quantities.analog meter An indicating instrument that usesa movable-coil arrangement or the equivalent,causing a rotating pointer to indicate a particularvalue on a graduated printed scale. CompareDIGITAL METER.analog multiplexer 1. A multiplexer used withanalog signals (see MULTIPLEXER). 2. An analogtime-sharing circuit.analog multiplier An analog circuit or device thatreceives two or more inputs and delivers an outputequal to their product.analog network A circuit that permits mathematicalrelationships to be shown directly by electricor electronic means.analogous pole In a PYROELECTRIC MATERIAL,the end or face having the positive electric charge.analog output An output quantity that variessmoothly over a continuous range of values,rather than in discrete steps.analog record Also called analog recording. Arecord or recording method in which some propertyof the recorded material, such as displacementor magnetization, varies over a continuousrange that is relative to time and/or physical position.analog recorder Any recorder, such as a recordingoscillograph, potentiometric recorder, electroencephalograph,electrocardiograph, or lie detector,that produces an analog record. The counterpartis a digital recorder, which produces a readout indiscrete numbers (printed or visually displayed).analog representation Representation of informationwithin a smooth, continuous range, ratherthan as separate (discrete) steps or points.analog signal A signal that attains an infinitenumber of different amplitude levels, as opposedto one that can attain only a finite number of levelsas a function of time.analog subtracter An analog circuit or device thatreceives two inputs and delivers an output equalto their difference.analog summer See ANALOG ADDER.analog switch A switching device that will onlypass signals that are faithful analogs of transducerparameters.analog-to-digital conversion 1. A process inwhich an analog signal (such as a voice waveform)is changed into a digital or binary signalthat conveys the same information. This processis commonly used in digital computers to encodesounds and images. It is also used in communicationssystems to improve efficiency, minimizethe necessary bandwidth, and optimize the signal-to-noiseratio. 2. A process in which continuousmechanical motion is encoded into a digitalor binary electronic signal.analog-to-digital converter Any circuit or devicethat performs ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVER-SION.analysis1. The rigorous determination of the constantsand modes of operation for electronicequipment. Compare SYNTHESIS. 2. A branch ofmathematics dealing with point sets, relations,and functions.analytical engine A primitive mechanical calculatingmachine, invented in 1833 by Charles Babbage.analyzer 1. Any instrument that permits analysisthrough close measurements and tests (e.g., distortionanalyzer, WAVE ANALYZER, or gas analyzer).2. A computer program used for debuggingpurposes; it analyzes other programs and summarizesreferences to storage locations. 3. Ananalysis interface to an oscilloscope.anastigmatic yoke Also called full-focus yoke. In atelevision (TV) receiver, a deflection yoke with acosine winding for better focus at the edges of thepicture.anchorage In plastic recording tape, the adhesionof the magnetic oxide coating to the surface of thetape.ancillary equipment Equipment that does not directlyenter into the operation of a central system.Examples are input/output components of a computerand test instruments attached to a system.AND circuit In digital systems and other switchingcircuits, a logic gate whose output is high (logic 1)only when all input signals are high. Otherwisethe output is low (logic 0). Compare OR CIRCUIT.