Glossary
HSE Linking Device and NI-FBUS Software G-2 ni.com
C
C Celsius.
Cable A number of wires and shield in a single sheath.
Channel A pin or wire lead to which you apply or from which you read the
analog or digital signal.
Communication stack Performs the services required to interface the user application to the
physical layer.
Control loop A set of connections between blocks used to perform a control
algorithm.
CPU Central processing unit.
D
Data Link Layer The second-lowest layer in the ISO seven-layer model (layer two).
The Data Link Layer splits data into frames to send on the physical
layer, receives acknowledgment frames, and re-transmits frames if
they are not received correctly. It also performs error checking to
maintain a sound virtual channel to the next layer.
DD See Device Description.
Descriptor A number returned to the application by the NI-FBUS
Communications Manager, used to specify a target for future
NI-FBUS calls.
Device A sensor, actuator, or control equipment attached to the Fieldbus.
Device address A memory address that you use to access a device in a computer
system.
Device Description A machine-readable description of all the blocks and block
parameters of a device.
Device ID An identifier for a device that the manufacturer assigns.
No two devices can have the same device ID.
Device tag A name you assign to a Fieldbus device.
Directory A structure for organizing files into convenient groups. A directory
is like an address showing where files are located. A directory can
contain files or subdirectories of files.
Driver Device driver software installed within the operating system.