B&R Industries Automation PC 620, User Manual

Page: 471 / 512

Appendix A • Glossary
Appen
dix
A
471 Automation PC 620 User's Manual V 1.90
7. Glossary
ACPI
Abbreviation for »Advanced Configuration and Power Interface« Configuration interface that
enables the operating system to control the power supply for each device connected to the PC.
With ACPI, the computer's BIOS is only responsible for the details of communication with the
hardware.
APC
Abbreviation for »Automation PC«
API
Abbreviation for »Application Program Interface« The interface, which allows applications to
communicate with other applications or with the operating system.
Automation Runtime
A uniform runtime system for all B&R automation components.
Baud rate
Measurement unit for data transfer speed. It indicates the number of states for a transferred
signal per second and is measured using the baud unit of measurement. 1 baud = 1 bit/sec or 1
bps.
BIOS
An abbreviation for »Basic Input/Output System«. Core software for computer systems with
essential routines for controlling input and output processes on hardware components, for
performing tests after system start and for loading the operating system. Although BIOS is used
to configure a system's performance, the user does not usually come into contact with it.
Bit
Binary digit > binary position, binary character, binary digit smallest discrete information unit. A
bit can have the value 0 or 1.
Bit rate
The number of bits that can be transferred within a specified time unit. 1 bit/sec = 1 baud.
A
B