Electronics and Computing Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key technical terms, historical components, and linguistic concepts in electronics and computer technology from the lecture textbook page.

Analog computers

Computing devices that model problems using continuously variable physical quantities, such as electrical voltages, rather than discrete digital signals.

Tabulator

An electromechanical machine developed to assist in summarizing and calculating data, historically recorded on punched cards.

Electromechanical relays

Switches operated by an electromagnet that mechanically open or close electrical contacts to control circuits.

Microprocessor

An integrated computer processor contained on a single microchip that carries out arithmetic, logic, and system control instructions.

Magnetic card reader

A hardware device designed to read and decode information stored on the magnetic stripe of a card.

Microelectronics

A branch of electronics specializing in the design, development, and manufacture of micro-miniaturized electronic components and circuits.

Vacuum tubes

Glass-enclosed devices that control electrical current through a vacuum between electrodes, used extensively prior to the development of semiconductor transistors.

Transistor

A miniature semiconductor device used for amplifying, switching, or controlling electrical signals and power.

Electrode

An electrical conductor through which electric charges enter or leave a medium, circuit element, or vacuum tube.

Discrete components

Individual, single-function electronic components (such as standalone resistors, capacitors, or diodes) that are manufactured separately before circuit assembly.

Chip (Integrated circuit)

A small semiconductor crystal containing a collection of interconnected microelectronic components fabricated together as a single unit.

Translation rule for 'noun chains'

A grammatical principle for translating a sequence of nouns not linked by prepositions, which states they should generally be translated starting from the end word.

Power consumption

The rate at which electrical energy is absorbed or used by an electronic circuit or system during operation.

Data processing system

A coordinated set of hardware, software, and procedures used to collect, manipulate, analyze, and output information.

Process control

An engineering discipline and technical methodology used to monitor and maintain the variables of a process within specified parameters.