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GLOSSARY
Alternating Current (AC)
Non-polarized power that is constantly changing back and forth
between positive and negative.
Anode
The positive terminal of a diode or other polarized component.
Capacitor
Electrical component for accumulating energy.
Cathode
The negative terminal of a diode or other polarized component.
CMOS
(Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) A type of transistor
circuit which uses P- and N-type field-effect transistors.
Current
The flow of electrons.
Diode
An electronic component that changes alternating current to direct
current.
Direct Current (DC)
Voltage that has polarity.
Frequency
The number of cycles per second produced.
Impedance
In circuit, the opposition that circuit elements present to alternating
current.
Input Impedance
The impedance seen by source when a device or circuit is connected
across the source.
Integrated Circuit (IC)
Any of a huge number of semiconductor packages that contain entire
elements.
Inverter
The circuit where the output state is the opposite of the input state.
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
A semiconductor device that glows when power is applied to its
electrodes.
Logic Probe
An electronic test device that detects the status of a signal.
Oscillator
A device that moves back and forth between two boundaries.
PC Board
Printed Circuit Board.
Power Supply
An electronic circuit that produces the necessary power for another
circuit or device.
Pulse
A sudden change from one level to another, followed after a time by a
sudden change back to the original level.
Resistor
An electronic component that obstructs (resists) the flow of electricity.
Speaker
Component that converts electrical energy into sound energy.
Troubleshoot
To find and fix the problem with something.
TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic)
A type of integrated circuit logic that uses bipolar junction transistors.
Voltage
The electromotive force that “pushes” electrons through conductive
materials.
Zener
A type of diode that acts as a voltage regulator by restricting the flow
of voltage above its rating.
