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"I" Terms and definitions
| IN PHASE. Applied to the condition that exists when two waves of the same frequency pass through their maximum and minimum values of like polarity at the same instant. Voltage and current are in-phase across a resistor but out of phase in a capacitor or Inductor. Note the maximum value of the current wave or voltage may be any value, as long as they reach their maximum point at the same time. |
 In-Phase |
INPUT. The current, voltage, power, or driving force applied to a circuit or device. The input signal applied to an IC.
INPUT END. The end of a two-wire transmission line that is connected to a source.
INPUT IMPEDANCE. Impedance presented to the transmitter by the transmission line and its load.
INPUT/OUTPUT. Pertaining to either input or output or both, especially in data processors.
INSTANTANEOUS AMPLITUDE. The amplitude at any given point along a sine wave at a specific instant in time.
INSTANTANEOUS AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL. [IAGC] A circuit that can vary the gain of the radar receiver with each input pulse to maintain a nearly constant output peak amplitude.
INSTANTANEOUS VALUE. The magnitude at any particular instant when a value is continually varying with respect to time.
INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER. A differential amplifier utilizing an input buffer on both the positive and negative input lines. This example uses operational amplifies and its associated resistors required to produce gain.
Instrumentation Amplifier
INSULATED. Separated from other conducting surfaces by a dielectric (including air space) offering a high resistance to the passage of current. Note: When any object is said to be insulated, it is understood to be insulated for the conditions to which it is normally subjected. Otherwise, it is, uninsulated.
INSULATION. A material used to prevent the leakage of electricity from a conductor and to provide mechanical spacing or support as protection against accidental contact with the conductor.
INSULATION DISPLACEMENT CONNECTION. [IDC] A connector that cuts through the insulation of a conductor to make contact with the wire. Detailed definition of an IDC Connector. [Example IDC Connector]
INSULATION RESISTANCE. The resistance offered by an insulating material to current leakage.
INSULATOR. Material of such low conductivity that the flow of current through it can usually be neglected. A device having high electrical resistance; used for supporting or separating conductors so as to prevent undesired flow of current from the conductors to other objects.
INTEGRATED CIRCUIT. [IC] A circuit in which many elements are fabricated and interconnected by a single process (into a single chip), as opposed to a "nonintegrated" circuit in which the transistors, diodes, resistors, and other components are fabricated separately and then assembled. Elements inseparably associated and formed on or within a single substrate.
Integrated Circuit Cut-away view
| INTEGRATOR. A circuit that takes performs an integration on the input signal. The circuit example shows an Operational Amplifier used as an integrator. For reference, Companies making Op-Amps. |
 Op-Amp Integrator |
INTENSITY (OF SOUND). The measurement of the amplitude of sound energy. Generally synonymous with loudness.
INTERACTION SPACE. The region in an electron tube where the electrons interact with an alternating electromagnetic field.
INTERELECTRODE CAPACITANCE. The capacitance between the electrodes of an electron tube.
INTERFERENCE. Any disturbance that produces an undesirable response or degrades a signal. Any unwanted radio frequency signal.
INTERLOCK. An interlock is an automatic switch which eliminates all power from the equipment when an access door, cover or plate is removed.
INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCY. [IF] A lower frequency to which an RF echo is converted for ease of amplification.
INTERMEDIATE POWER AMPLIFIER. The amplifier between the oscillator and final power amplifier.
INTERPOLES. Small auxiliary poles, placed between main field poles, whose magnetic field opposes the armature field and cancels armature reaction. Interpoles accomplish the same thing as compensating windings.
INTERSECTION LAW. In Boolean algebra, the law which states that if one input to an AND gate is already TRUE, then the output will depend upon the state of the other inputs only.
INTRINSIC FAILURE RATE. The intrinsic failure rate is usually defined by the Failure-In-Time (FIT)—a FIT being 1 failure in 1 billion device hours of operation.
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