Appendix
APCIe-7xx0
7
Appendix
7.1
Glossary
Baud rate
The baud rate is the number of signal states
that can be transmitted in a given unit of time.
In a binary transmission system, one bit can
represent one signal state (‘high’ or ‘low’).
The baud rate is expressed in baud, after the
French engineer Baudot. As a rule, the baud
rate is not equivalent to the transmission speed
(in bps).
Creeping distance
In order to prevent any risk to electro-
mechanical components from the effects of
electrical voltages and currents, minimum
insulation distances must be maintained.
The creeping distance is the shortest distance
between 2 reference points (contact elements)
across the surface of an insulating material.
Driver
A driver is a series of software instructions
written specifically to manage particular
devices.
Duplex
The ability to both send and receive data
simultaneously over the same communications
line is called duplex.
EMC
The definition of the VDE regulation 0870
states: Electromagnetic compatibility is the
ability of an electrical installation to function
satisfactorily within its electromagnetic
environment without unduly affecting its
environment and the equipment it contains.
ESD
= Electrostatic discharge
ESD is the sudden and momentary electric
current that flows between two objects at
different electrical potentials caused by direct
contact or induced by an electrostatic field.
The term is usually used in the electronics and
other industries to describe momentary
unwanted currents that may cause damage to
electronic equipment.
FIFO
= First in, First out
Data that is written into the FIFO memory
buffer first, gets out of it first.
Half duplex
With this transmission method, pieces of
information are sent in sequence in both
directions.
Handshaking
By means of handshake lines, the transmission
of message bytes between the devices is
handled asynchronously. The so-called three-
level handshaking is a nested procedure, which
guarantees the transmission and receipt of
message bytes on the data lines without any
transfer errors.
Limit value
Exceeding the limit values, even for a short
time, can easily result in the destruction of the
component or the (temporary) loss of
functionality.
Operating voltage
The operating voltage is the voltage to the
device in sustained operation. It must not
exceed the maximum sustained voltage, and all
unfavourable operating conditions, such as
possible mains power surges for over a minute
when the device is switched on, must be taken
into account.
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