"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 "P" terms.
POWER. The rate of doing work or the rate of expending energy. The unit of electrical power is the watt.
POWER AMPLIFIER. An amplifier in which the output-signal power is greater than the input-signal
power.
POWER-AMPLIFIER (CHAIN) TRANSMITTER. Transmitter that uses a series of power amplifiers to
create a high level of power.
POWER FACTOR. The ratio of the actual power of an alternating or pulsating current, as measured by a
wattmeter, to the apparent power, as indicated by ammeter and voltmeter readings. The power factor of
an inductor, capacitor, or insulator is an expression of their losses.
POWER GAIN. In an antenna, the ratio of its radiated power to that of a reference.
[Antenna Dictionary]
POWER LOSS. The electrical power, supplied to a circuit, that does no work and is usually dissipated
as heat. The heat loss in a conductor as current flows through it.
POWER PENTODE. A special purpose tube used to provide high-current gain or power amplification.
Each grid wire is directly in line with the one before and after it, a fact which allows more electrons to
reach the plate.
POWER STANDING-WAVE RATIO (PSWR). The ratio of the square of the maximum and minimum
voltages of a transmission line.
POWER SUPPLY. A unit that supplies electrical power to another unit. It changes ac to dc and maintains
a constant voltage output within limits. [Power Supply Manufacturers]
PRBS. Refer to Pseudo Random Binary Sequence Definition.
PREAMPLIFIER (PREAMP). An amplifier that raises the output of a low-level source for further
processing without appreciable degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio.
PRIMARY CELL. An electrochemical cell in which the chemical action eats away one of the electrodes,
usually the negative electrode.
PRIMARY WINDING. The winding of a transformer connected to the electrical source.
PRIME MOVER. The source of the turning force applied to the rotor of a generator. This may be an
electric motor, a gasoline engine, a steam turbine, and so forth.
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD. A flat, insulating surface upon which printed wiring and miniaturized
components are connected in a predetermined design and attached to a common base. [PWB]
PROBE COUPLER. A resonant conductor placed in a waveguide or cavity to insert or extract energy.
PROPAGATION. Waves traveling through a medium.
PROTOCOL. A formal set of conventions governing
the format and control of interaction among communicating functional units. [Protocol Dictionary]
"P" Terms. Next Dictionary page
