Owner’s Guide
41
Glossary
Adaptive mains filtering.
An advanced signal processing technique that seeks to eliminate
noise originating from mains power.
ADC (analog-to-digital converter).
A device that converts analog information into some
corresponding digital voltage or current.
amplitude
. The maximum vertical distance of a periodic wave from the zero or mean position
about which the wave oscillates.
analog.
Varying smoothly and continuously over a range. An analog signal varies continuously
over time, rather than changing in discrete steps.
applied part.
A part which necessarily comes into physical contact with the subject during use.
BNC (bayonet nut connector).
A type of cable or connector; a BNC-to-BNC cable connects two
BNC connectors.
bridge transducer.
A type of transducer using a Wheatstone bridge circuit. In its basic form,
the bridge consists of four two-terminal elements (usually strain gauges) connected to form a
quadrilateral. An excitationacross the other.
connector.
A plug, socket, jack or port used to connect one electronic device to another (via a
cable): a PowerLab to a computer, say.
CPU (central processing unit).
A hardware device that performs logical and arithmetical
operations on data as specified in the instructions: the heart of most computers.
DAC (digital-to-analog converter).
A device that converts digital information into some
corresponding analog voltage or current.
DC off set.
The amount of DC (direct current) voltage present at the output of an amplifier when
zero voltage is applied to the input; or the amount of DC voltage present in a transducer in its
equilibrium state.
DFP.
Downstream-Facing Port. A port that allows the connection of a peripheral such as a
front-end, mobile phone, etc.
filter.
An electronic device or a program that alters data in accordance with specific criteria.
Filters in hardware and soft ware can be used to reduce or to eliminate electronic noise or drift
from data readings.
frequency.
The number of complete cycles per second of a waveform. Frequency is usually
expressed in hertz: Hz (cycles per second), kilohertz: kHz (thousands of cycles per second), or
megahertz: MHz (millions of cycles per second).
