Glossary of Electronic Terms, Electronic terms starting from alphabet B

        

      

Bandwidth:

the measure of a range of frequencies containing an upper and lower limit

Battery:

a bank of individual cells connected together to provide the required voltage

Binary:

the basic counting system used in computer logic. Two values are available - 0 and 1. A zero is normally represented by a 0 Volt signal, and a one by a voltage of approximately 5 Volts - these levels are dependent upon the type of logic used

Binary Code:

a coding scheme that communicates information by using a series of "1s" and "Os" that are represented, respectively, by the digital "ON" and "OFF" states

Bit Stream:

the bit rate, or flow of information, between a sender and receiver in digital communication. Also called Digital Bit Stream

Bit:

a unit of the binary code that consists of either a single "1" or "O."

Bus:

a pathway that connects devices, enabling them to communicate. May be digital or analogue, including power and earth (ground)

Bypass:

the practice of using (typically) low value capacitors to conduct high frequency signals either to earth or around a device with limited frequency range

Byte:

a unit of the binary code that consists of eight bits. One byte is required to code an alphabetic or numeric character, using an eight-bit character set code

 

Balanced bridge:

Condition that occurs when a bridge circuit is adjusted to produce a zero output.

 

Band-pass filter

A tuned circuit designed to pass a band of frequencies between a lower cut-off frequency (f₁) and a higher cut-off frequency (f₂). Frequencies above and below the pass band are heavily attenuated.

 

Band-stop filter

A tuned circuit designed to stop frequencies between a lower cut-off frequency (f₁) and a higher cut-off frequency (f₂) of the amplifier while passing all other frequencies.

 

Barrier potential

The natural difference of potential that exists across a forward biased pn junction.

 

Base

The region that lies betwen the emitter and collector of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT).

 

Base biasing

A method of biasing a BJT in which the bias voltage is supplied to the base by means of a resistor.

 

Battery

A DC voltage source containing two or more cells that convert chemical energy to electrical energy.

 

Baud

A unit of signaling speed equal to the number of signal events per second. Not necessarily the same as bits per second.

 

Beta

(b) The ratio of collector current to base current in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT).

 

Bias

A DC voltage applied to a device to control its operation.

 

Binary

A number system having only two symbols, 0 and 1. A base 2 number system.

 

Bipolar junction transistor

(BJT), A three terminal device in which emitter to collector current is controlled by base current.

 

Bistable multivibrator

A multivibrator with two stable states. An external signal is required to change the output from one state to the other. Also called a latch.

 

Bleeder current

A current drawn continously from a souce. Bleeder current is used to stabilize the output voltage of a source.

 

Bode plot

A graph of gain versus frequency.

 

Branch current

The portion of total current flowing in one path of a parallel circuit.

 

Breakdown voltage

Voltage at which the breakdown of a dialectric or insulator occurs.

 

Breakover voltage

Minimum voltage required to cause a diac to break down and conduct.

 

Bridge rectifier

A circuit using four diodes to provide full wave rectification. Converts an AC voltage to a pulsating DC voltage.

 

Buffer

An amplifier used to isolate a load from a source.

 

Bulk resistance

The natural resistance of a "P" type or "N" type semiconductor material.

 

Butterworth filter

A type of active filter characterized by a constant gain (flat response) across the midband of the circuit and a 20 dB per decade roll-off rate for each pole contained in the circuit.

 

BW

Abbreviation for bandwidth.

 

 

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