Electronic Engineering Glossary Terms

"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" definitions and terms.

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. A first stage amplifier that feeds a higher power amplifier.

PreAmp

PREFETCH. Saving data to a queue for later processing.

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. Refer to Transformer Terms

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. [PCB] A flat, insulating surface upon which printed wiring and miniaturized components are connected in a predetermined design and attached to a common base.

Printed Circuit Board

Also refer to Printed Circuit Card Definitions. A PCB is also called Printed Wiring Board [PWB data].

PROBE COUPLER. A resonant conductor placed in a waveguide or cavity to insert or extract energy.

PRODUCTION LOT. A production lot shall consist of devices manufactured on the same production line(s) by means of the same production technique, materials, controls, and design.

PROGRAMMABLE DELAY LINE. A delay line with a selectable amount of delay with out the need to change taps. The example below shows a passive delay line with a fixed input and output using three control lines to change the amount of delay via a multiplexer. Related term, Delay Line. Also Delay Line vendors.
Programmable Delay Line
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, Protocol Acronyms]

Pseudo Random Binary Sequence. [PRBS]. Refer to this page; PRBS Definition.

PULSE. Signal characterized by a steep rise from and decay toward an initial level. Pulse Shape definitions. A flow of electrical energy of short duration.

PULSE-AMPLITUDE MODULATION (PAM). Pulse modulation in which the amplitude of the pulses is varied by the modulating signal.

PULSE-CODE MODULATION (PCM). A modulation system in which the standard values of a quantized wave are indicated by a series of coded pulses. PCM Code Definitions

PULSE-DURATION MODULATION (PDM). Pulse modulation in which the time duration of the pulses is changed by the modulating signal.

PULSE-FREQUENCY MODULATION (PFM). Pulse modulation in which the modulating voltage varies the repetition rate of a pulse train.

PULSE MODULATION. A form of modulation in which one of the characteristics of a pulse train is varied.

PULSE OSCILLATOR. A sine-wave oscillator that is turned on and off at specific times. Also known as a ringing oscillator. [Oscillator Manufacturers]

PULSE-POSITION MODULATION (PPM). Pulse modulation in which the position of the pulses is varied by the modulating voltage.

PULSE-REPETITION FREQUENCY (PRF). The rate, in pulses per second, at which the pulses occur. Same as PULSE-REPETITION RATE (PRR).

PULSE-REPETITION TIME (PRT). Interval between the start of one pulse and the start of the next pulse; reciprocal of pulse-repetition frequency.

PULSE-RESPONSE. The resultant output from a circuit or system from receiving a pulsed waveform as an input. The circuit below shows a schematic of a test setup to measure the pulse response of a 2N718 transistor. The schematic provides the test points and input and output waveforms, and additional circuitry.

2N718 Pulse Response Test Circuit
PULSE-TIME MODULATION (PTM). Pulse modulation that varies one of the time characteristics of a pulse train (pwm, pdm, ppm, or pfm).

PULSE WIDTH. Duration of time between the leading and trailing edges of a pulse.

PULSE-WIDTH MODULATION (PWM). Pulse modulation in which the duration of the pulses is varied by the modulating voltage.

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH. A style of switch that is actuated by depressing a button. The graphic shows a Panel Mount [chassis mount] Push-Button Switch. Styles of Push-Button switches include Momentary and Latching switches. Also see Push-Button Switch Manufacturers.

Switch

PUSH-PULL AMPLIFIER. An amplifier that uses two transistors (or electron tubes) whose output signals are in phase opposition. [Transistor Manufacturers]

Push-pull Transistor Amplifier

"Q" Terms