Glossary
© National Instruments Corporation
G-3
Measure Data Acquisition User Manual
C
channel
Pin or wire lead to which you apply or from which you read the
analog or digital signal. Analog signals can be single-ended or
differential. For digital signals, you group channels to form
ports. Ports usually consist of either four or eight digital
channels.
channel clock
The clock controlling the time interval between individual
channel sampling within a scan. Boards with simultaneous
sampling do not have this clock.
clock
Hardware component that controls timing for reading from or
writing to groups.
conversion device
Device that transforms a signal from one form to another. For
example, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for analog input,
digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for analog output, digital
input or output ports, and counter/timers are conversion devices.
coupling
The manner in which a signal is connected from one location to
another.
D
D/A
Digital-to-analog.
DAC
Digital-to-analog converter. An electronic device, often an
integrated circuit, that converts a digital number into a
corresponding analog voltage or current.
data acquisition
Process of acquiring data, typically from A/D or digital input
plug-in boards.
device
A plug-in data acquisition board that can contain multiple
channels and conversion devices.
device number
The slot number or board ID number assigned to the board when
you configured it.
DIFF
Differential. A differential input is an analog input consisting of
two terminals, both of which are isolated from computer ground
and whose difference you measure.
