B&R Industries Automation PC 620, User Manual

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Appendix A • Glossary
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481 Automation PC 620 User's Manual V 1.90
PCMCIA
An abbreviation for »Personal Computer Memory Card International Association« An
association of manufacturers and dealers, who are dedicated to the cultivation and further
development of common standards for peripheral devices based on PC cards with a slot for such
cards. PC Cards are mainly used for laptops, palmtops (and other portable computers) and
intelligent electronic devices. Version 1 of the PCMCIA standard was introduced in 1990.
PLC
Programmable Logic Controller; Computer-based control device that functions using an
application program. The application program is relatively easy to create using standardized
programming languages [IL, FBD, LAD, AS, ST]. Because of its serial functionality, reaction
times are slower compared to connection-oriented control. Today, PLCs are available in device
families with matched modular components for all levels of an automation hierarchy.
PnP
An abbreviation for »Plug and Play« Specifications developed by Intel. Using Plug and Play
allows a PC to automatically configure itself, so that it can communicate with peripheral devices
(e.g. monitors, modems and printers). Users can connect a peripheral device (plug) and it is
immediately runs (play), without having to manually configure the system. A Plug and Play PC
requires a BIOS that supports Plug and Play and a respective expansion card.
POH
An abbreviation for »Power On Hours« see MTBF
POST
An abbreviation for »Power-On Self Test« A set of routines which are stored in ROM on the
computer and test different system components e.g. RAM, disk drive and the keyboard, in order
to determine that the connection is operating correctly and ready for operation. POST routines
notify the user of problems that occur. This is done using several signal tones or by displaying a
message, which frequently accompanies a diagnosis value, on the standard output or standard
error devices (generally the monitor). If POST runs successfully, control is transferred over to the
system's bootstrap loader.
Powerlink
See "ETHERNET Powerlink".
PROFIBUS-DP
PROFIBUS for "decentralized peripherals". PROFIBUS-DP can be used to allow simply digital
and analog I/O modules as well as intelligent signal and data processing units to be installed in
the machine room, which among other things can significantly reduce cabling costs. Many used
for time-critical factory automation applications.