Neets Master Glossary

1-5 ASYMMETRICAL MULTIVIBRATOR—A multivibrator that generates rectangular waves [18]. ASYNCHRONOUS—The teletypewriter operation where the transmitter and receiver do not operate continuously [17]. ASYNCHRONOUS ORBIT—One where the satellite does not rotate or move at the same speed as the earth [17]. ATDS—An abbreviation for the airborne tactical data system [17]. ATTENUATION—The ability of a filter circuit to reduce the amplitude of unwanted frequencies to a level below that of the desired output frequency [9]. ATTRACTION—The force that tends to make two objects approach each other. Attraction exists between two unlike magnetic poles (north and south) or between two unlike static charges [1]. AUDIO AMPLIFIER—An amplifier designed to amplify frequencies between 15 hertz (15 Hz) and 20 kilohertz (20 kHz) [8]. AUDIO-FREQUENCY-TONE SHIFT—A system that uses amplitude modulation to change dc mark and space impulses into audio impulses [17]. AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL—A circuit used to vary radar receiver gain for best reception of signals that have widely varying amplitudes [18]. AUTOMATIC TRACKING—Tracking done by equipment that compares the direction of the antenna axis and the direction of the received signal and uses the difference (error) signal to reposition the antenna [17]. AUTOMATIC VOLUME/GAIN CONTROL—A circuit used to limit variations in the output signal strength of a receiver [17]. AVALANCHE EFFECT—A reverse breakdown effect in diodes that occurs at reverse voltages beyond 5 volts. The released electrons are accelerated by the electric field, which results in a release of more electrons in a chain or "avalanche" effect [7]. AVERAGE POWER—(1) The peak power value averaged over the pulse-repetition time [12]. (2) Output power of a transmitter as measured from the start of one pulse to the start of the next pulse [18]. AVERAGE VALUE (OF AC)—The average of all the instantaneous values of one-half cycle of alternating current [2]. AXIS—A straight line, either real or imaginary, passing through a body around which the body revolves [15]. AZIMUTH—Angular measurement in the horizontal plane in a clockwise direction [18]. BACK RESISTANCE—The larger resistance value observed when you are checking the resistance of a semiconductor [16]. BALANCED MIXER—A waveguide arrangement that resembles a T and uses crystals for coupling the output to a balanced transformer [18]. BALANCED PHASE DETECTOR—A circuit that controls the oscillator frequency (afc) [17].