Glossary

Accumulator:: The basic work register of a computer.
Actuator:: A device which performs an action in response to an electrical signal.
A/D (also ADC):: Analog-to-digital converter; a device which is proportional to the analog voltage level input.
A/F:: See Air/Fuel Ratio.
Analog Circuits:: Electronic circuits which amplify, reduce, or otherwise alter a voltage signal which is a smooth or continuous copy of some physical quantity.
Assembly Language:: An abbreviated computer language which humans can use to program computers. Assembly language eventually is converted to machine language so that a computer can understand it.

BDC:: Bottom dead center; the extreme lowest position of the piston during its stroke.
Bit:: A binary digit; the smallest piece of data a computer can manipulate.
Block Diagram:: A system diagram which shows all of the major parts and their interconnections.
BSCO:: Brake specific fuel consumption; the ratio of the rate at which fuel is flowing into an engine to the brake horsepower being generated.
BSHC:: Brake specific HC; the ratio of the rate at which hydrocarbons leave the exhaust pipe to the brake horsepower.
BSNO _x :: Brake specific NO _x; the ratio of the rate at which oxides of nitrogen leave the exhaust pipe to the brake horsepower.
Byte:: 8 bits dealt with together.

CAFE:: Corporate-Average-Fuel-Economy. The government mandated fuel economy which is averaged over the production for a year for any given manufacturer.
Capacitor:

< Previous Excerpt Next Excerpt >

Understanding Automotive Electronics, Sixth Edition