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ABC of electronics terms

(To find chips for distinct functions, see the functional pages.)

A

ADC

ADPCM

This is a compression technique for PCM* (see there) coded voice data. Adaptive means that both the sender and the receiver calculate what the next sample will probably be based on the fact that the data is assumed to consists of only one human voice at the time or of a slow modem* (1200 baud* or such). (Both kinds of signals consist of only one frequency at the time). Differential means that only the difference between the real sample and the predicted sample are being transmitted. Typically the sample size of PCM* can be reduced from 8 bits to 4 bits or even 3 bits without any loss of quality. Modern sound cards can normally also code and decode ADPCM*.

See als PCM* and codec*.

ADSL

This is one of the new DSL protocols which should allow high bit rates over conventional copper telephone lines from the telephone exchange to the house (the local loop). The speed from the exchange to the house is higher than the other way around, hence 'assymetric'.

Some of the major players in the multimedia/modem* chipset world include:

• Analog Devices
• Broadcom
• Conexant (formerly Rockwell Semiconductor Systems)
• ESS
• Fujitsu
• Lucent Technologies
• Motorola
• PairGain Technologies (was: www.pairgain.com/) (T1 granddaddy of companies in the telecomm business). Now called ADC (www.adc.com/).
• ST Microelectronics
• Texas Instruments

AGP

Intel announces accelerated graphics port 1.0 specification

FOLSOM, CALIF. -- August 5, 1996 -- Intel Corporation today announced the Accelerated Graphics Port (A.G.P.) interface 1.0 specification. Available on the world wide web, the A.G.P. 1.0 specification consists of the necessary electrical and signal information that will enable graphics hardware developers and system OEMs to both design and use graphics controllers on the graphics port.

Amiga

See also:

• Commodore 64/128

Victor Steve Haaz wanted me to add:

I think it would deserve more info on it, as:

• There are still about one million of active users (forming the 'Amiga Community'), so it's still an active platform.
• Commodore doesn't exists, the owner is Amiga Inc. (subsidiary of Gateway).
• There are new programs/hardware for the newer machines, including 3D-graphics- boards (Voodoo, TNT2), processor boards (PPC G3/G4), a new OS* in summer 1999, etc.
• There will be great new machines at the end of 1999.

There are many possible links, but here are just a few:

• www.amiga.com/
• www.amiga.org/
• www.cucug.org/amiga.html

Amplifier

Analog

An analog 'GAL' is called a FPAA or a TRAC.

Analyzer

ANSI

See also CCITT, CEN, DIN, IEEE, ISO, NEN

Antenna

www.bwantennas.com/ - Barker and Williams

ASA

ASIC design

Assembler

ATA

ATAPI

• Hard Disk Drive
• IDE*
• SCSI*

ATM

See also ISDN.

Audio

An audio chip is like the chips used in business cards or greeting cards. Some sound like a telephone ringing, or doorbell, etc.
One of the manufacuturers in America is Clegg Industries of California.

See also Speech.

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Automotive