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Motorola MVME2400 User Manual

Page 156

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Glossary

GL-2

Computer Group Literature Center Web Site

G

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A
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AUI

Attachment Unit Interface

BBRAM

Battery Backed-up Random Access Memory

bi-endian

Having big-endian and little-endian byte ordering capability.

big-endian

A byte-ordering method in memory where the address n of a word
corresponds to the most significant byte. In an addressed memory
word, the bytes are ordered (left to right) 0, 1, 2, 3, with 0 being the
most significant byte.

BIOS

Basic Input/Output System. This is the built-in program that
controls the basic functions of communications between the
processor and the I/O (peripherals) devices. Also referred to as ROM
BIOS.

BitBLT

Bit Boundary BLock Transfer. A type of graphics drawing routine
that moves a rectangle of data from one area of display memory to
another. The data specifically need not have any particular
alignment.

BLT

BLock Transfer

board

The term more commonly used to refer to a PCB (printed circuit
board). Basically, a flat board made of nonconducting material, such
as plastic or fiberglass, on which chips and other electronic
components are mounted. Also referred to as a circuit board or card.

bpi

bits per inch

bps

bits per second

bus

The pathway used to communicate between the CPU, memory, and
various input/output devices, including floppy and hard disk drives.
Available in various widths (8-, 16-, and 32-bit), with accompanying
increases in speed.

cache

A high-speed memory that resides logically between a central
processing unit (CPU) and the main memory. This temporary
memory holds the data and/or instructions that the CPU is most
likely to use over and over again and avoids accessing the slower
hard or floppy disk drive.

CAS

Column Address Strobe. The clock signal used in dynamic RAMs to
control the input of column addresses.

CD

Compact Disc. A hard, round, flat portable storage unit that stores
information digitally.