"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 set of "N" Terms and definitions
NOISE. In reference to sound, an unwanted disturbance caused by spurious waves that originate from
man-made or natural sources. In radar, erratic or random deflection or intensity of the indicator
sweep that tends to mask small echo signals.
NOISE FIGURE. The ratio of output noise to input noise in a receiver.
NOISE LIMITER. Circuit that clips the peaks of the noise spikes in a receiver.
NOISE SUPPRESSOR. See NOISE LIMITER.
NO-LOAD CONDITION. The condition that exists when an electrical source or secondary of a
transformer is operated without an electrical load.
NONDEGENERATIVE PARAMETRIC AMPLIFIER. A parametric amplifier that uses a pump signal
frequency that is higher than twice the frequency of the input signal.
NONDIRECTIONAL. See OMNIDIRECTIONAL.
NONLINEAR DEVICE. A device in which the output does not rise and fall in direct proportion to the
input. [Nonlinear Resistors]
NONLINEAR IMPEDANCE. An impedance in which the resulting current through the device is not
proportional to the applied voltage.
NONRESONANT LINE. A transmission fine that has no standing waves of current or voltage.
NONTRIP-FREE CIRCUIT BREAKER. A circuit breaker that can be held in the ON position during an
over-current condition.
NOR. A logic function of A and B that is true if both A and B are false.
NOR GATE. An OR gate that is followed by an inverter to form a binary circuit in which the output is a
logic 0 if ANY of the inputs is a logic 1 and the output is a logic 1 only if ALL the inputs are a logic 0.
NORMAL. The imaginary line perpendicular to the point at which the incident wave strikes the reflecting
surface. Also called the perpendicular.
NOT CIRCUIT. A binary circuit with a single output that is always the opposite of the input. Also called
an INVERTER CIRCUIT.
NPN. An NPN transistor is formed by introducing a thin region of P-type material between two regions of
N-type material. [Transistor Manufacturers]
NULL. On a polar-coordinate graph, the area that represents minimum or 0 radiation.
NUMBER. A mathematical entity that may indicate quantity or amount of units. An abstract mathematical symbol for expressing a quantity.
NUMBER REPRESENTATION. The representation of numbers by agreed sets of symbols according to
agreed rules.
NUMBER SYSTEM. Loosely, a number representation system. Any system for the representation of
numbers.
NUMERAL. A discrete representation of a number. For example, twelve, 12, XII, 11002 are four
different numerals that represent the same number. A numeric word that represents a number.
NUTATING. Moving an antenna feed point in a conical pattern so that the polarization of the beam does not change.
