Glossary
G-6
ni.com
L
LIFO
last in, last out—data buffering technique where the newest values (last in)
come out first
limit switch/
end-of-travel position
(input)
sensors that alert the control electronics that physical end of travel is being
approached and that the motion should stop
M
m
meters
MCS
Move Complete Status
microstep
proportional control of energy in the coils of a Stepper Motor that
allows the motor to move to or stop at locations other than the fixed
magnetic/mechanical pole positions determined by the motor
specifications. This capability facilitates the subdivision of full mechanical
steps on a stepper motor into finer microstep locations that greatly smooth
motor running operation and increase the resolution or number of discrete
positions that a stepper motor can attain in each revolution.
modulo position
treat the position as within the range of total quadrature counts per
revolution for an axis
N
noise
undesirable electrical signal—noise comes from external sources such as
the AC power line, motors, generators, transformers, fluorescent lights,
soldering irons, CRT displays, computers, electrical storms, welders, radio
transmitters, and internal sources such as semiconductors, resistors, and
capacitors. Noise corrupts signals you are trying to send or receive.
noninverting
polarity of a switch (limit switch, home switch, and so on) in
active
state.
If these switches are active-high, they are said to have non-inverting
polarity.