| Chapter 4 Vocab. Active backplane- A type ofbackplane system in which there is some ciruitry including bus connectors, buffers and drivers. Alternating Current- AC Current that cycles back and forth rather than traveling in only one direction. Ampere/Amp- A- A unit of measurement for electrical current. One volt across a resistance of 1 ohm will create a flow of 1 amp. AT- Advance Technology motherboard. ATX- Advance Technology Extended motherboard. Baby AT- A smaller version of an AT. Backplane System- A form factor in which there is no true motherboard. Instead, motherboard components are included on an adapter card plugged inot a slot on a board called a back plane. Bus Riser- See Riser Card Capacitor- An electronic device that can maintain an electrical chrage for a period of time and is used to smooth out the flow of electrical current. Capacitors are often found in computer power supplies. Clamping Voltage- The maxium voltage allowed through a surge supressor such as 175 or 330 volts. Compact Case- A type of low-end desktop system. Compact cases, also known as low-profile or slimcases, follow either the NLX, LPX or MiniLPX form factor. They are likely to have fewer drive bus but they generally still provide for some expansion. Diode- An electronic device that allows electricity to flow in only one direction. Used in a rectifier circuit. Direct Current- DC- Current that travels in only one direction. Computer power supplies tranfroms AC to DC. Display Power Management Signaling- DPMS- Energy Star standard specifications that follow for the videocard and monitor to go into sleep mode simultaneously. Doze Time- The time before an energy star or "Green" system will reduce 80 percent of its activity. Electromagnetic Interface- EMI- A megentic freild produce as a side effect from the flow of electricity. Energy Star- "Green" system that statistfy the EPA requirements to decrease the overall consumption of electricity. Electrostatic Discharge- ESD- Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though is may not be felt or seen by the naked eye. Feild Replaceable Unit- FRU- A component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer. Flex ATX- A version of ther ATX from factor that allows for maxium flexibility in the size and shapes of cases and motherboards. Form Factor- A set of specification on the sizr, shape and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply or mother board. Full AT- See AT Green Standards- A computer or device that confroms to these statndard into sleep or doze mode when not in use, thus saving energy and helping the enviroment. Ground Bracelet- A strap you wear around your wrist that is attached to the computer case, ground mat or another ground so that ESD is discraged from your body before you touch sensetive components inside a computer. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Home |