Glossary
Accuracy
The closeness of the indicated value to the true value.
Analog-to-Digital Converter
A device that converts an analog signal to a digital signal.
Attenuation
A decrease in magnitude (for optical systems this is usually optical power)
of a signal.
Autoset
A means of letting the instrument set itself to provide a stable and meaningful
display of a given waveform.
Average Optical Power (AOP)
The time averaged measurement of the optical power over a much longer time
period than the bit rate of the signal.
Bandwidth
The difference between the limiting frequencies of a continuous frequency
spectrum. Bandwidth is the frequency at which the power out is one half
the power out at a frequency near DC. The range of frequencies handled by
a device or system. Bandwidth is a measure of network capacity. Analog
bandwidth is measured in cycles per second. Digital bandwidth is measured
in bits of information per second. (See page 21,
Channel
A place to connect a signal or attach a network or transmission line to
sampling heads. Also, the smallest component of a math expression. A
transmission path between two or more stations.
Channel Number
The number assigned to a speci
fi
c signal input connector. The top channel of
the left-most sampling head compartment of the main instrument is always
channel 1, regardless of any repositioning or omission of sampling heads.
Clock
A signal that provides a timing reference.
80C12B Optical Sampling Module User Manual
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