Neets Master Glossary

1-3 AMPLITUDE—The size of a signal as measured from a reference line to a maximum value above or below the line. Generally used to describe voltage, current, or power [8] [12]. AMPLITUDE DISTORTION—Distortion that is present in an amplifier when the amplitude of the output signal fails to follow exactly any increase or decrease in the amplitude of the input signal [6] [7]. AMPLITUDE MODULATION—Any method of varying the amplitude of an electromagnetic carrier frequency in accordance with the intelligence to be transmitted [12]. AMPLITUDE STABILITY—Amplitude stability refers to the ability of the oscillator to maintain a constant amplitude in the output waveform [9]. AND CIRCUIT—See AND GATE [13]. AND GATE—(1) An electronic gate whose output is energized only when every input is in its prescribed state. An AND gate performs the function of the logical "AND"; also called an AND circuit. (2) A binary circuit, with two or more inputs and a single output, in which the output is a logic 1 only when all inputs are a logic 1 and the output is a logic 0 when any one of the inputs is a logic 0 [13]. ANGLE MODULATION—Modulation in which the angle of a sine-wave carrier is varied by a modulating wave [12]. ANGLE OF INCIDENCE—The angle between the incident wave and the normal [10]. ANGLE OF INCLINATION—The angular difference between the equatorial plane of the earth and the plane of orbit of the satellite [17]. ANGLE OF REFLECTION—The angle between the reflected wave and the normal [10]. ANGLE OF REFRACTION—The angle between the normal and the path of a wave through the second medium [10]. ANGSTROM UNIT—The unit used to define the wavelength of light waves [10]. ANISOTROPIC—The property of a radiator that allows it to emit strong radiation in one direction [10]. ANODE—(1) A positive electrode of an electrochemical device (such as a primary or secondary electric cell) toward which the negative ions are drawn [1] [6) [7]. (2) The semiconductor-diode terminal that is positive with respect to the other terminal when the diode is biased in the forward direction [13]. ANTENNA—A conductor or set of conductors used to radiate RF energy into space or to collect RF energy from space or to do both [10]. ANTENNA BEAM WIDTH—Width of a radar beam measured between half-power points [18]. ANTENNA COUPLER—A device used for impedance matching between an antenna and a transmitter or receiver [17]. ANTENNA SYSTEM—Routes RF energy from the transmitter, radiates the energy into space, receives echoes, and routes the echoes to the receiver [18]. ANTIJAMMING CIRCUIT—An electronic circuit used to minimize the effects of enemy countermeasures, thereby permitting radar echoes to be visible on the indicator [18].