Industry Terminology
ADC
Analog to Digital Converter – a device for converting a voltage level into a numeric value.
Analog
Refers to something that is continuously variable.
Asynchronous
A method of transmitting data serially where a change in value marks the start of the first data bit, and subsequent bits are presumed to have a specific duration in time. For successful transfers, the receiver must know in advance how long each bit lasts.
BASIC
A computer language intended to be simple to learn and use. Originally, an acronym for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.
Boot
Used when referring to powering-up a system, or to the time period when the system is powered up or restarted (“boot time”), or to the actions it takes during that time (“boot process”).
BSP
Board Support Package – a set of software routines that initialize and allow access to the hardware capabilities of a board. BSPs can be generic, or tailored to a specific operating system.
C
A computer language originally developed at Bell Labs in the 1970s. It was meant to be a powerful language for doing systems programming.
CAN
Controller Area Network – a networking interface designed for vehicular and factory floor use.
CMOS
Abbreviation for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. It refers both to a method of implementing hardware at the “circuitry-inside-a-chip” level, and also to the voltage levels considered to be “on” and “off” (or “true” and “false”) for digital circuitry built using that technology.
CPU
Central Processing Unit – normally used to refer to the portion of a microprocessor or microcontroller that performs calculations, but can also be used to refer to the entire processor chip.
Custom
Made for a specific purpose, and not an off-the-shelf product.
DAC
Digital to Analog Converter – a device for converting a numeric value into a voltage level.
Digital
Refers to something that changes in discrete steps. Often there are only two such steps, treated as logic levels true and false.
Driver
Used in two ways – with respect to hardware, it refers to a chip that “drives” a signal. A chip that converts signals from TTL levels to RS232 levels would be one such. In software, it refers to a piece of code that provides an interface between hardware functionality and other code.
EEPROM
Abbreviation for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. Usually a low-capacity device, often used for storing values that seldom change, but are specific to a particular board. Individual locations in this type of memory can be read, erased, and written by the system, but it is often a time-consuming operation, and locations within the device can wear out if erased too often.
Embedded Computer
A computer that is intended to perform a limited number of dedicated functions, often with real-time processing constraints. Countertop microwave ovens and programmable thermostats are examples of devices that contain small embedded computers.
EPROM
Abbreviation for Erasable, Programmable Read-Only Memory. This is a particular type of ROM (the other, Mask-Programmed ROM, is probably no longer in use). By definition, a system cannot modify this memory.
Firmware
Refers to software that has been embedded in a device, normally either in flash or EPROM.
Flash
A type of memory that is meant to be read many more times than it can be written or erased. Normally, individual locations may be programmed, but erasing will only work on a large section of memory. This type of memory is replacing ROM and EPROM on many systems.
Hardware
Refers to the physical components of a system.
I/O
Abbreviation for Input/Output. Sometimes used without the slash character (“IO”).
IIC (or I2C)
Abbreviation for Inter-Integrated Circuit – the “IIC” comes from “I2C” being pronounced “I-squared-C.” An industry-standard serial interface for communicating with I/O chips.
LCD
Abbreviation for Liqui Crystal Display. An output device that provides alphanumeric and/or graphic display output for a system.
MC2000
Vesta’s line of mezzanine-board computers.
Mezzanine Board
A board that is designed to operate while plugged into another board.
Microcontroller
Usually used to refer to a microprocessor that incorporates memory internally and does not require external memory to operate.
OTS
Abbreviation for Off-The-Shelf. It indicates a standard product that is readily available.
PAL
Programmable Array Logic. A chip that can be programmed (usually, only once) to perform specific and limited functions.
Parallel
Refers to an I/O device that operates on multiple data bits or streams simultaneously.
Peripheral
Refers to a device (normally for I/O) that connects to a computer to provide it with a capability it would not otherwise have.
RAM
Abbreviation for Random-Access Memory. Readable and writeable by the system. Used for storing data used by the firmware during operation.
ROM
Abbreviation for Read-Only Memory. Normally used for storing firmware. By definition, a system cannot modify this memory. Sometimes used as a synonym for EPROM.
RS232
A standard describing serial communications, normally at low speeds.
RTOS
Abbreviation for Real-Time Operating System. A software system that allows a computer to appear to be performing several operations simultaneously.
SBC
Abbreviation for Single-Board Computer. A computer system in which everything is on one board.
SBC2000
Vesta’s line of stand-alone single-board computers.
Serial
Refers to an I/O device that operates on a single data bit or stream, with sequential values separated in time.
Software
The instructions to a CPU that make it perform a task.
SPI
Abbreviation for Serial Peripheral Interface. An industry-standard serial interface for communicating with I/O chips.
Standard
Refers to a specification that describes how something is to operate. Alternatively, it refers to a system (such as an SBC) that complies with such a standard or is one that a company normally produces and keeps available in inventory. Synonym for OTS or Stock.
Stock
Refers to something that a company normally produces and keeps available in inventory. Synonym for OTS or Standard.
Synchronous
A method of transmitting data where the actual data transmission is synchronized with another signal, referred to as the clock.
TTL
Abbreviation for Transistor-Transistor Logic. It refers both to a method of implementing hardware at the “circuitry-inside-a-chip” level, and also to the voltage levels considered to be “on” and “off” (or “true” and “false”) for digital circuitry built using that technology.
UART
Abbreviation for Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter. A device that provides bi-directional serial communications, often via RS232.
USB
Universal Serial Bus – a standard high-speed serial bus that has become common on desktop PCs and is becoming more widespread in embedded systems.
VAST
Abbreviation for Vesta Addressable Synchronous Transfer. A peripheral interface for serial data transfer to and from peripheral devices that use the SPI or I2C protocols. Standard on Vesta SBCs.
VMTB
Vesta’s proprietary BASIC language for the SBC2000-332 and MC2000-332.
VSTB
Vesta’s proprietary BASIC language for the SBC2000-074, MC2000-074, and MC2000-077.
