"A"
"B"
"C",
"D",
"E",
"F",
"G",
"H",
"I",
"J",
"K",
"L",
"M",
"N",
"O",
"P",
"Q",
"R",
"S",
"T",
"U",
"V",
"W",
"X",
"Y",
"Z"
Previous section of "G" terms and definitions.
GRID BIAS. A constant fixed potential applied between the grid and the cathode of a vacuum tube to
establish an operating point.
GRID CURRENT. The current that flows in the grid-to-cathode circuit of a vacuum tube.
GRID-GAP TUNING. A method of changing the center frequency of a resonant cavity by physically
changing the distance between the cavity grids.
GRID-LEAK BIAS. A self-bias provided by a high resistance connected across the grid capacitor or
between the grid and cathode.
Grommet. An insulator that covers sharp edges of holes through panels and partitions to protect
wire insulation from cut-through damage.
Grommet, Connector. An elastomeric seal used on the cable side of a connector body to seal the
connector against contamination and to provide stress relief.
GROUND. The point in a circuit used as a common reference point for measuring purposes. To
connect some point of an electrical circuit or some item of electrical equipment to earth or to the
conducting medium used in lieu thereof. A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between a
circuit or piece of equipment and the earth, or some body serving as earth; a place
of zero electrical potential.
GROUND BOUNCE. Ground bounce refers to the ringing on
an output signal when one or more outputs on the same
device are being switched from HIGH to LOW. Ground bounce is associated with
the inductance and resistance of the ground connection
in the integrated circuit. More detailed definition of Ground Bounce.
GROUND CLUTTER. Unwanted echoes, from surrounding land masses, that appear on a radar indicator. [Radar terms, and definitions]
GROUND-CONTROLLED APPROACH. A radar system used to guide aircraft to safe landings in poor
visibility conditions.
GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER. [GFI] A protective device that detects
abnormal current flowing to ground and then interrupts the
circuit. Detailed Ground Fault Interrupter definition
| GROUND ISLAND . A small copper layer contained on one or more layers of a Printed Wiring Board which is only connected to ground. A Ground Island is always much smaller than a ground plane. Ground Islands may be 100% copper fill or hatched to reduce the amount of copper. Refer to PWB terms and definitions. |
 PWB Ground Islands |
GROUND PIN CURRENT. [Voltage Regulator] is the regulator quiescent current plus pass transistor base current. Ground Pin Current is defined as the amount of current required by the regulator when driving a load. Ground Pin Current varies with regulator input voltage and regulator load. The lower the Ground Pin Current the more efficient the device is. Power consumption of a voltage regulator may be found by multipling the Ground Pin Current and the difference in voltage across the device [Vo/Vi]. [IC General] the current flowing through the ground pin; however this is not a definition in common usage.
GROUND PLANE. A large copper layer contained on one or more layers of a Printed Wiring Board [PWB] which is only connected to ground. In most cases a ground plane covers most if not all of the PWB layer it resides on. The portion of a ground-plane antenna that acts as ground.
GROUND-PLANE ANTENNA. A type of antenna that uses a ground plane as a simulated ground to produce low-angle radiation. [Antenna terms, and definitions]
GROUND PLANES. Copper planes used to minimize interference between circuits and from external sources. The large islands or complete planes are connected to ground.
GROUND POTENTIAL. Zero potential with respect to the ground or earth.
GROUND RANGE. The distance on the surface of the earth between a radar and its target. Equal to slant range only if both radar and target are at the same altitude.
GROUND REFLECTION LOSS. The loss of RF energy each time a radio wave is reflected from the earth’s surface.
GROUND ROD. An earth electrode subsystem installed by the responsible facilities engineering activities at each facility to provide a low resistance path to earth for lightning and power fault currents and ensure that hazardous voltages do not occur within the facility. This subsystem shall be capable of dissipating to earth the energy of direct lightning strokes with no ensuing degradation to itself. This system shall also interconnect all driven electrodes and underground metal objects of the facility. The earth electrode [Ground Rod] subsystem shall not degrade the quality of signals in the signal circuits connected to it. The rods shall be interconnected with a 1/0 AWG (American Wire Gage) bare copper cable buried at least .45m (1.5 feet) below grade level. Larger size cables as well as greater burial depths shall be specified where earth and atmosphere considerations so dictate. The interconnecting cable shall be brazed or welded to each ground rod and shall close on itself to form a complete loop with the ends brazed or welded together.
GROUND SCREEN. A series of conductors buried below the surface of the earth and arranged in a radial pattern. Used to reduce losses in the ground.
GROUND WAVES. Radio waves which travel near the surface of the earth.
GROUP. A collection of units, assemblies, sub-assemblies, and parts. It is a subdivision of a set or system but is not capable of performing a complete operational function.
GROUP VELOCITY. The forward progress velocity of a wave front in a waveguide.
GROWN JUNCTION. A method of mixing P-type and N-type impurities into a single crystal while the crystal is being grown.
GUIDANCE RADAR. A system which provides information that is used to guide a missile to a target. [Radar terms, and definitions]
GYROSCOPE. A mechanical device containing a spinning mass mounted so that it can assume any position in space. The Abbreviation for gyroscope is Gyro.
