Glossary
NI-FBUS Hardware and Software User Manual
G-2
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Analog
A description of a continuously variable signal or a circuit or device
designed to handle such signals.
API
See
Application Programmer Interface.
Application
Function blocks.
Application Programmer
Interface
A message format that an application uses to communicate with
another entity that provides services to it.
Array
Ordered, indexed list of data elements of the same type.
Attribute
Properties of parameters.
B
Basic device
A device that can communicate on the Fieldbus, but cannot become
the LAS.
Bitstring
A data type in the object description.
Block
A logical software unit that makes up one named copy of a block and
the associated parameters its block type specifies. The values of the
parameters persist from one invocation of the block to the next. It can
be a resource block, transducer block, or function block residing
within a virtual field device.
Block tag
A character string name that uniquely identifies a block on a Fieldbus
network.
Buffer
Temporary storage for acquired or generated data.
Bus
The group of conductors that interconnect individual circuitry in a
computer. Typically, a bus is the expansion vehicle to which I/O or
other devices are connected. Examples of PC buses are the ISA and
PCI buses.
C
Cable
A number of wires and shield in a single sheath.
Channel
A pin or wire lead to which you apply or from which you read the
analog or digital signal.
Client
A device that sends a request for communication on the bus.
Communication stack
Performs the services required to interface the user application to the
physical layer.