The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics - Loscha

oscillatory current • out of phase 503from the oscillation of energy back and forth betweenthe inductor and capacitor.oscillatory discharge An electrical discharge,such as that of a capacitor, that sets up an OS-CILLATORY CURRENT.oscillatory surge A current or voltage surge thatincludes both positive and negative excursions.oscillatory transient See OSCILLATORY SURGE.oscillistor A device consisting essentially of a barof semiconductor material positioned in a magneticfield; it will produce oscillations under certainconditions.oscillogram 1. The image produced on the screenof an oscilloscope. 2. A permanent, usually photographic,record made from the screen of an oscilloscope.oscillograph 1. An instrument that makes a permanentrecord (photograph or pen recording) of arapidly varying electrical quantity. Also calledrecorder (see RECORDER, 2). Compare OSCILLO-SCOPE. 2. An obsolete term for OSCILLOSCOPE.oscillograph recorder A direct-writing recorder(see RECORDER, 2).oscillography The use of a graphic oscillationrecorder (OSCILLOGRAPH).oscillometer A device used for determining thepeak amplitude of an oscillation.oscilloscope An instrument that presents forvisual inspection the pattern representingvariations in an electrical quantity. Also seeCATHODE-RAY OSCILLOSCOPE. Compare OS-CILLOGRAPH.oscilloscope camera A special high-speed, shortfocuscamera with fixtures for attachment to anoscilloscope to record images from the screen.Standard and instant-film types are available.oscilloscope differential amplifier An amplifierthat processes the difference between two signals,for the purpose of displaying on an oscilloscopeor oscillograph.oscilloscope tube A cathode-ray tube for use in anoscilloscope. It contains an electron gun, acceleratingelectrode, horizontal and vertical deflectingplates, and a fluorescent screen.Os-Ir Symbol for OSMIRIDIUM.OSI-RM Abbreviation of OPEN SYSTEMS INTER-CONNECTION REFERENCE MODEL.OSL Abbreviation of orbiting space laboratory.osmiridium Symbol, Os-Ir. A natural alloy of osmiumand iridium.osmium Symbol, Os. A metallic element of theplatinum group. Atomic number, 76. Atomicweight, 190.2.osmotic pressure The force that causes the positiveions to pass out of a solution toward a metalbody immersed in an electrolyte. Also seeHELMHOLTZ DOUBLE LAYER.OSO Abbreviation of orbiting solar observatory.osteophone A bone-conduction hearing aid.OTA Abbreviation of OPERATIONAL TRANSCON-DUCTANCE AMPLIFIER.OTL Abbreviation of OUTPUT-TRANSFORMER-LESS.O-type backward-wave oscillator Abbreviation,OBWO. A backward-wave oscillator using harmonicshaving opposing phases.ounce Abbreviation, oz. A unit of weight equal to 1 ⁄16pound or 28.35 grams.ounce-inch Abbreviation, oz-in. A unit of torqueequal to the product of a force of 1 ounce and amoment arm of 1 inch. Compare POUND-FOOT.outage 1. Loss of power to a system. 2. Loss of areceived signal.outboard components 1. Discrete components(capacitors, coils, resistors, or transformers) connectedexternally to an integrated circuit. 2. Discretecomponents connected externally to anyexisting electronic device.outcome In statistical analysis, the result of an experimentor test. An outcome can be numerical ornonnumerical.outdoor antenna An antenna erected outside,usually high above the surface of the earth clearof obstacles. It generally provides superior performancecompared with an INDOOR ANTENNA.Also reduces the probability of radio-frequencyinterference (RFI) when used for transmitting.outdoor booster A signal preamplifier mounted onan outdoor television receiving antenna for improvedreception.outdoor transformer A weatherproof distributiontransformer installed outside the building it services.outer conductor The outer metal cylinder orjacket of a coaxial cable or coaxial tank. CompareINNER CONDUCTOR.outgassing 1. In the evacuation of electronic devices,such as vacuum tubes, the removal of occludedgases from glass, ceramic, and metal bymeans of slow baking and by flashing an internalmetal getter (such as one of magnesium). 2. Theproduction of gases in certain electrochemicalcells and batteries during the final stage of charging.outgoing line A power or signal line that leaves adevice, facility, or stage. Compare INCOMINGLINE.outlet A female receptacle that delivers a signal oroperating power to equipment plugged into it.outline flowchart In computer operations, a preliminaryflowchart showing how a program will bedivided into routines and segments, input andoutput functions, program entry points, etc.out-of-line coding Instructions for a computerprogram routine stored in an area of memoryother than that in which the routine’s program isstored.out of phase Pertaining to the condition in whichthe alternations or pulsations of two or more separatewaves or wave phenomena, having identicalfrequencies, are out of step with each other. CompareIN PHASE.