©
National Instruments Corporation
G-1
NI-FBUS Hardware and Software User Manual
Glossary
Symbol
Prefix
Value
p
pico
10
–12
n
nano
10
–9
μ
micro
10
– 6
m
milli
10
–3
k
kilo
10
3
M
mega
10
6
G
giga
10
9
T
tera
10
12
Numbers
4–20 mA system
Traditional control system in which a computer or control unit
provides control for a network of devices controlled by 4–20 mA
signals.
A
Address
Character code that identifies a specific location (or series of
locations) in memory.
Administrative Function
An NI-FBUS function that deals with administrative tasks, such as
returning descriptors and closing descriptors.
Alarm
A notification the NI-FBUS Communications Manager software
sends when it detects that a block leaves or returns to a particular
state.
Alarm condition
A notification that a Fieldbus device sends to another Fieldbus device
or interface when it leaves or returns to a particular state.
Alert
An alarm or event.
Alert function
A function that receives or acknowledges an alert.