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Instrument net - Instrumentation glossary
Category: Electronics and Engineering > Instrumentation
Date & country: 13/11/2007, UK
Words: 392
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Adapter(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A circuit board that provides communication capabilities between a computer or computer system and a communication network. Also called network interface card (NIC).
ADC(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Analogue to Digital Convertor
Address(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Data structure used to identify a unique entity (process, network location, etc.).
Advanced payment guarantee(PROJECT GLOSSARY) A bank guarantee issued by the seller to the buyer to enable the seller to recover money advanced to the seller in the form of stage payments, should the seller not deliver or finish the work.
AGA(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) American Gas Association
Agent(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Software that processes queries and returns replies on behalf of an application. In network managed systems, agents reside in all managed devices and report the values of specified variables to management work stations.
AI(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Artificial Intelligence
Algorithms(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Algorithms are routines to deal with particular situations; for example, a controller formula to correct an element in a continuous process.
Alternative Offer(PROJECT GLOSSARY) A offer which provides a solution with advantages in cost or performance compared to the solicited solution. An alternative solution will normally only be considered if the bidder also makes a bid that meets the solicited specification.
Analogue(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Analogue devices are those which communicate via a small electric current. For example, food industry flow meters send a current of between 4mA to 20mA. The lowest value would represent no flow at all; the largest would indicate maximum flow.
ANN(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) An abbreviation sometimes used for artificial neural networks.
ANSI(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) American National Standards Institute.
APC(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Advanced Process Control. This includes continuous applications such as cracking towers and advanced batch control involving activities like blend ratio control or bleaching.
API(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Application programming interface. A specification of function call conventions that defines an interface to a service.
API(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) American Petroleum Institute
APO(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Remote procedure call. The technological foundation of distributed (client-server) computing. Remote procedure calls are procedure calls that are built or specified by clients and executed on servers, with the results returned over the network to the clients.
AppleTalk®(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A series of related communications protocols introduced and maintained by Apple Computer. Two phases currently exist: Phase I and Phase II. Phase II, which includes support for internetworks, is the most recent version.
Applicable law(PROJECT GLOSSARY) The legal system and place where any dispute of the contract would be handled.
Application layer(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Layer seven of the OSI reference model. This layer is implemented by various network applications including electronic mail, file transfer, and terminal emulation.
ARCnet®(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Attached resource computer network. A 2.5 Mbps token bus LAN network developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s by Datapoint Corporation. Primary characteristics include simplicity, ease of use, and relative low cost.
ARP(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Address resolution protocol. An Internet protocol used to bind an IP address to Ethernet /IEEE 802.3 addresses. Defined in RFC 826.
ARPANET(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A packet switching network developed in the early 1970s by BBN (Bolt, Beranek, and Newman Inc.) and funded by ARPA (advanced research projects agency). The ARPANET evolved into the Internet, and the term ARPANET was officially retired in 1990.
ASCII(NETWORK GLOSSARY) American standard code for information interchange. An eight bit (seven bits plus parity) code for character representation.
ASME(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASN.1(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Abstract syntax notation one. An OS1 language for describing data types in a manner independent of particular computer structures and representation techniques.
ASTM(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) American Society for Testing and Materials
Asynchronous transmission(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Operation of a network system wherein events occur without precise clocking. In such systems, individual characters are usually encapsulated in control bits called start and stop bits, which designate the beginning and ending of characters.
ATM(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Asynchronous transfer mode. The CCITT standard for cell relay wherein information for multiple types of services (voice, video, data) is conveyed in small, fixed size cells. Also, a BISDN transfer mode wherein an accelerated version of asynchronous time division multiplexing (ATDM) is used to move multiple streams of information across a communication channel.
Attenuation(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Loss of communication signal energy.
AUI(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Attachment unit interface. An IEEE 802.3 cable connecting the MAU (media access unit) to the networked device. The term AUI also can be used to refer to the host back panel connector to which an AUI cable (transceiver cable) attaches.
Backbone network(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A network acting as a primary conduit for traffic that is often both sourced from, and destined for, other networks.
Balun(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Balanced, unbalanced. Device used for matching impedance between a balanced and unbalanced line (usually twisted pair and coaxial cable).
Bandwidth(NETWORK GLOSSARY) The difference between the highest and lowest frequencies available for network signals. The term is also used to describe the rated throughput capacity.
Baseband(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Characteristic of a network technology where only one carrier frequency is used. Baseband is the opposite of broadband. Ethernetis an example of a baseband network.
Baud(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A unit of signalling speed equal to the number of discrete conditions or signal events per second. Baud is synonymous with bits per second if each signal event represents exactly one bit.
BDP(PROJECT GLOSSARY) Bio data proposal: Information on the qualifications and experience of key personnel on a project.
Bid bond(PROJECT GLOSSARY) A bank guarantee of a specified value issued by the seller to guarantee that the seller will not withdraw his bid from the tendering process, typically 2 % of quotation price.
Bid closing date(PROJECT GLOSSARY) Procedure for demonstrating fairness. The date that the quotation must be in the hands of the buyer. Quotations received after this date may be rejected without opening. This preserves the confidentiality of the bid procedure.
BISDN(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Broadband ISON. Communication standards being developed by the CCITT to handle high bandwidth applications such as video. BISDN will use ATM technology over SONET-based transmission circuits to provide data rates of 155 Mbps to 622 Mbps and beyond.
Bit(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Smallest unit of information recognised by a computer and its associated equipment.
BMS(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Building Management System
BNC connector(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Standard connector used to connect IEEE 802.3 1 OBASE2 coaxial cable to a transceiver.
Boot PROM(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Boot programmable read-only memory. A chip mounted on a printed circuit board used to provide executable boot instructions to a computer device.
BootP(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A protocol used by a network node to determine the IP address of its Ethernet interfaces, in order to effect network booting.
Bridge(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A device that connects and passes packets between two network segments. Bridges operate at layer two (data link) of the 031 reference model and are insensitive to upper layer protocols.
Broadband(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A transmission system that multiplexes multiple independent signals onto one cable, Broadband is the opposite of baseband.
Broadcast(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A message sent to all network destinations.
Broadcast storm(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Undesirable network event in which many broadcasts are sent all at the same time, using substantial network bandwidth and, typically, causing network time-outs.
BS(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) British Standards Institution Standards
BS-CP(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) British Standards Institution Codes of Practice
BSI-ILI ANSI(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) Standards Discs (Perinorm and Infodisk) American National Standards Institute
Bus topology(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Linear LAN architecture in which transmissions from network stations propagate the whole length of the medium and are received by all other stations.
Byte(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A series of consecutive binary digits that are operated upon as a unit (for example, an eight bit byte).
CAD(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Computer Aided Design. This may allow designers to manipulate parts drawings and simulate processes.
CAM(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Computer Aided Manufacturing is a generic term for systems help manufacturing. They include CNC and process control.
Carrier(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A signal suitable for modulation by another signal containing information to be transmitted.
CCITT(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Consultative committee for international telegraph and telephone. An international organisation that develops communication standards.
Cell(NETWORK GLOSSARY) The basic unit for ATM switching and multiplexing. Each cell consists of a five byte header and 48 bytes of payload.
Cell relay(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Network technology based on the use of small, fixed-size packets, or cells. Cells contain identifiers that specify the data stream to which they belong. Because the cells are fixed length, they can be processed and switched in hardware at very high speeds.
Cheapernet(NETWORK GLOSSARY) IEEE 802.3 1 OBASE2 standard or the cable specified in that standard. Thinnet, also used to describe this standard, specifies a less expensive, thinner version of Ethernet cable.
CIM(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Computer Integrated Manufacturing is a term used to describe an operation which makes all or most of its information available through a fully integrated data management network. The object is to increase efficiency by integrating all the facility's data management systems.
Client(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A node or software program (front end device) that requests services from a server.
Client-server computing(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Distributed processing (computing) network systems in which transaction responsibilities are divided into the client (front end) part and the server (back end) part. Both client and server can be applied to both software programs or actual computing devices.
Closed Systems(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) See open systems. Closed systems are the opposite to open systems. In other words, they are proprietary.
CN(PROJECT GLOSSARY) Contract negotiation: Bargaining activities entered into once the technical scope has been fully clarified.
CNC(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Computer Numerical Control allows machines to be operated from PLCs by means of a numerical code.
Coaxial cable(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A cable consisting of a hollow outer cylindrical conductor that surrounds a single inner wire conductor.
Concentrator(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A device that serves as the hub of a star-topology network. Also, sometimes used to refer to a device that contains multiple modules of network and internetwork equipment.
Connectionless(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Data transfer without the existence of a virtual circuit.
Console(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) A console is the term for the actual screen and keyboard used in the work stations.
Controller(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) A device which controls another machine in the process directly, usually being wired to it directly.
CRC(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Cyclic redundancy check. An error checking technique in which the frame recipient calculates a remainder by dividing frame contents by a prime binary divisor and compares the calculated remainder (which itself is often called a CRC) to a value stored in the frame by the sending node.
CSMA-CD(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Carrier sense multiple access with collision detection. A channel access mechanism wherein devices wishing to transmit first check the channel for a carrier. If no carrier is sensed for some period of time, devices can transmit. If two devices transmit at once, a collision occurs and is detected by all colliding devices, which subsequently delay their retransmission for some random length of time.
DAC(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Digital to Analogue Convertor
Data link layer(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Layer two of the OSI reference model. This layer takes a raw transmission facility and transforms it into a channel that appears, to the network layer, to be free of transmission errors. Its main services are addressing, error detection, and flow control.
Datagram(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A logical grouping of information sent as a network-layer unit over a transmission medium without prior establishment of a virtual circuit. The terms packet, frame, segment, and message are also used to describe logical information groupings at various layers of the OSI reference model and in various technologies. IP datagrams are the primary information units in the Internet.
DCS(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) A Distributed Control System is designed to have a series of decentralised control centres which have some degree of autonomy, but are still integrated into a whole system (except in an emergency shutdown). The centre has hierarchical control over the rest, but most control takes place away from the centre.
DCS(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Distributed control system.
DDE(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Direct Digital Embedding.
DECnet(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A group of communications products (including a protocol suite) developed and supported by Digital Equipment Corporation. The most recent iteration is DECnet Phase V, which is largely based upon the OSI protocols.
Defects liability bond(PROJECT GLOSSARY) see warranty bond
DEn(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) Department of Energy Guidance Notes
Design competition(PROJECT GLOSSARY) Tendering system for high value capital projects where the companies taking part, propose their own solutions to the design brief. Once the competition winner is identified the contracts for the detailed design etc. are awarded.
Design Contractor(PROJECT GLOSSARY) The general contractor or design company employed to develop the basic design through to construction stage.
Digital(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Digital devices transmit in bits, i.e. a series of binary numbers, to other parts of the system.
Discrete Process(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) A process handling distinct, separate products. The usual example is an automotive factory product line, where each car is a distinct artefact. Discrete processes are in contradistinction to continuous processes handling liquids.
DNS(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Domain name system. Distributed name system used in the Internet.
DPI(PROJECT GLOSSARY) Dye Penetrant Inspection - Test to check for faults in a weld fabrication.
DTE(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Data terminal equipment. The part of a data station that serves as a data source, destination, or both, and that provides for the data communications control function according to protocols. DTE includes computers, protocol translators, and multiplexers.
EEMUA(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) Engineering Equipment and Material Users Association
Emulation mode(NETWORK GLOSSARY) Function of a network control program that enables it to perform activities equivalent to those performed by a transmission control unit.
EN(STANDARDS GLOSSARY) Cen/Cenelec European Standards
Encryption(NETWORK GLOSSARY) The application of a specific algorithm to data so as to alter the appearance of the data to make it incomprehensible to those who might attempt to misuse the information.
Enterprise network(NETWORK GLOSSARY) A network (usually large, diverse) connecting most major points in a company. Differs from WAN network in that it is typically private and contained within a single organisation.
EOI(PROJECT GLOSSARY) Expression of Interest: Written statement by a contractor / supplier to register a formal interest in tendering for a contract.
EPC(PROJECT GLOSSARY) EPC = Term used to describe the scope of a contractor. Commonly means Engineer, Procure and Construct.
EPIC(PROJECT GLOSSARY) EPIC = Term used to describe the scope of a contract. Commonly means Engineer, Procure, Install & Construct.
ERP(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Enterprise Resource Planning.
Escalation clause(PROJECT GLOSSARY) Agreed formula of changing the unit/contract price for contracts where deliveries continue over a long time period.
ESD(CONTROL SYSTEMS GLOSSARY) Emergency Shut Down.
