1. Siemen(s), standard unit for conductance
The reflection and transmission coefficients used in impedance matching between high-speed (RF) devices and transmission lines/traces.
Satellite-universal mobile telecommunications system
Single supply
sps: Samples per second. In data conversion, an analog signal is converted to a stream of numbers, each representing the analog signal's amplitude at a moment in time. Each number is called a "sample." The number sample per second is called the sampling r
An A/D converter converts an analog signal into a stream of digital numbers, each representing the analog signal's amplitude at a moment in time. Each number is called a "sample." The number sample per second is called the sampling rate, measured in sampl
Storage Area Network: A network infrastructure of shared multihost storage, linking all storage devices and interconnecting remote sites.
Successive Approximation Register: Used to perform the analog-to-digital conversion in successive steps in many analog-to-digital (ADC) converters.
Surface Acoustic Wave: A sound wave that propagates along the surface of a solid and is contained within the solid. SAW devices typically combine compressional and shear components. In Wireless applications, SAW refers to a Surface Acoustic Wave band-pass
Super ball-grid array, a packaging technology.
Smart Battery Specification: A specification developed by Duracell.
A design technique in which the internal registers or flip-flops of a circuit can be chained, to allow an external circuit to easily read and write their contents.
Also known as Euroconnector or Peritel, a 21-pin connector commonly used in Europe to interconnect satellite receivers, television sets, and other audiovisual equipment (e.g. videocassette recorders). A single connector combines audio and video signals. T
Switched-capacitor filter
A diode realized via a "Schottky-barrier junction" -- a metal-semiconductor junction -- rather than the P-N junction used by conventional semiconductor diodes. Schottky diodes are often chosen for their high switching speed and low forward voltage drop.
Serial clock line
Serial clock
Silicon-controlled rectifier
Small Computer System Interface (pronounced "scuzzy"), an interface standard for connecting peripheral devices to computers. Hardware components for implementing a SCSI interface include connector ports on computers and cables for connecting peripheral de
Single Chip Transceivers: A single IC that includes data communication transmitter and receiver functions.
1. Signal detect: An output that indicates when a signal is present. A form of Signal Strength Indicator.
Serial data access
Serial data out
Standard Definition Television: Digital formats that do not achieve the video quality of HDTV, but are at least equal, or superior to, NTSC pictures. SDTV may have either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios, and includes surround sound. Variations of fps (frames pe
Second harmonic distortion (HD2): Ratio of second-order harmonic to the input signal (carrier). Often measured as dBc.
This standard specifies a Secure Hash Algorithm, SHA-1, for computing a condensed representation of a message or a data file.
1. A substance that can act as an electrical conductor or insulator depending on chemical alterations or external conditions. Examples are silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide.
A resistor placed in a current path to allow the current to be measured. The voltage across the sense resistor is proportional to the current that is being measured and an amplifier produces a voltage or current that drives the measurement.
In the broadest definition, a sensor is a device, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment and send the information to other electronics, frequently a computer processor.
Single Ended Primary Inductor Converter: A DC-DC converter topology that acts both as a boost and a buck converter (that is, will step up or down, depending on the input voltage).
The single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) is a type of DC/DC converter that allows the electrical potential (voltage) at its output to be greater than, less than, or equal to that at its input.
Serialization/deserialization
A serial interface (as distinguished from a parallel interface) is one in which data is sent in a single stream of bits, usually on a single wire-plus-ground, wire-pair, or single wireless channel (or two sets, one for each direction). Examples include US
Spurious-Free Dynamic Range: A term used to specify A/D and D/A converters (ADCs and DACs).
Small Form Factor: An optical module.
Small Form Factor: Specification for optical modules.
Small Form Factor Pluggable
Special-function register
Secure Hash Algorithm: A message digest algorithm developed by the NSA for use in the Digital Signature standard, FIPS number 186 from NIST. SHA is an improved variant of MD4 producing a 160-bit hash. SHA is one of two message digest algorithms available
Shutdown. Low-power standby mode.
Two or more bistable elements (flip-flops) connected in series. With each tick of the clock, the output of stage n is shifted to stage n+1. Applications include clock or signal delays, delay lines, linear-feedback shift registers.
An acceleration sensor, generally a piezoelectric type, that can measure high acceleration but cannot measure static g forces.
In a push-pull amplifier stage, one transistor pushes current to the output to drive it toward a positive voltage; a second device pulls down. These are designed so both devices are never fully on, which would effectively short the power supply.
A feature of many ICs, typically controlled via a logic-level input, which dramatically reduces power consumption when the device is not in use.
Sampled input
Silicon Germanium process
Signal invalid output. Indicates when all RS-232 signals to the IC are in the invalid range.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, the ratio of the amplitude of the desired signal to the amplitude of noise signals at a given point in time. The larger the number, the better. Usually expressed in dB.
Silicon carbide (SiC), also known as carborundum /k??rb??r?nd?m/, is a semiconductor containing silicon and carbon with chemical formula SiC.
Subscriber identity module
Electronic circuit simulation uses mathematical models to replicate the behavior of an actualelectronic device or circuit
Signal-to-noise and distortion ratio: The RMS value of the sine wave f(IN) (input sine wave for an ADC, reconstructed output sine wave for a DAC) to the RMS value of the converter noise from DC to the Nyquist frequency, including harmonic content. It is t
System loopback input
Subscriber-Loop-Interface-Circuit: A telephone line interface.
A battery with internal circuitry that provides level of charge status to the host system.
A phone with a microprocessor, memory, screen, and built-in modem. The smart phone combines some of the capabilities of a PC in a handset device and typically include Internet connectivity.
Signal conditioner that is programmable or has a flexible architecture to allow it to accomplish sophisticated signal transformations and corrections.
System Management Bus: A 2-wire serial-interface standard developed by Intel.
1. Surface Mount Device (SMD): An electronic component that mounts on the surface of a printed circuit board (as opposed to "through-hole" components which have pins that are inserted into holes). SMDs typically allow more components per square centimeter
Switch-Mode Power Supply
Specialized Mobile Radio: Indicates the 896MHz to 901MHz band (800MHz band), which uses two paired 25kHz channels, and the 935MHz to 940MHz band (900 MHz band), which uses two paired 12.5kHz channels. Ten 20-channel blocks have been allocated in these fre
A device which suppresses voltage transients.
Small outline (a package type).
State of change
A feature in some switching power supplies that limits the startup inrush current at initial startup.
Small Office/Home Office: Businesses that are either run from home or a from a small office. Software and hardware companies sometimes promote products as suitable for the SOHO market.
Small outline integrated circuit, a packaging technology.
A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical and chemical phenomenon.
A solid state device or circuit is one that relies on semiconductors rather than mechanical or vacuum tube circuits.
Solid-state lighting (SSL) refers to a type of lightingthat uses semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLED) as sources of illumination rather than electrical filaments, plasma
Synchronous Optical Network: A North American standard for transmission in synchronous optical networks. It defines a family of rates, formats, interfaces, transport options, and maintenance capabilities. The minimum rate for SDH is 155Mbps.
Small outline transistor
In radio systems, Space Diversity transmits a signal on multiple propagation paths.
Statistical process control
Service Control Peripheral Register
Service Control Data Register
Single-pole/double-throw switch
Signal power functional part
Serial Peripheral Interface. A 3-wire serial interface developed by Motorola.
Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis
A technology that modulates a signal over many carrier frequencies at once. This method can be used to make transmissions more secure, reduce interference, and improve bandwidth-sharing.
Single-pole/single-throw switch
Unwanted frequencies are not present.
Statistical quality control: Use of statistical methods to measure and improve the quality of manufacturing processes and products. The term "statistical process control" is often used interchangably.
Slew rate
Static RAM: RAM that does not require a clock to retain its contents.
Self-resonant frequency
Soft-start; sample size
Smart signal conditioning
Shrink small-outline package
A pcb layout technique in which all components connect to ground at a single point. The traces make in a "star" pattern, emanating from the central ground.
A point from which all traces leave in a "star" pattern in pcb layout.
A "set top box," or STB, is a generic name for an electronic interface between a cable television or satellite signal and video display and recording devices. Typically a box that can be placed atop the television set (hence the name), it can have many fu
1. Silicon Timed Circuit: A circuit that produces a delayed version of the input signal. Also known as a delay line.
A switch-mode voltage regulator in which output voltage is higher than its input voltage.
A pulse used for timing and synchronization.
A high-capacity capacitor with capacitance values much higher than other capacitors (but lower voltage limits) that bridge the gap between electrolytic capacitors and rechargeable batteries.
A radio receiver that combines a locally generated frequency with the carrier frequency to produce a lower-frequency signal (IF, or intermediate frequency) that is easier to demodulate than the original modulated carrier.
A method for producing electronic circuits in which the components are mounted or placed directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards (PCBs).
The Swallow Counter is one of the three building blocks (swallow counter, main counter, and dual-modulus prescaler) that constitute the programmable divider commonly used in modern frequency synthesizers.
Shared wireless access protocol
A switch is an electrical component that can "make" or "break" an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another.
Uses a switching transistor and inductor to control/regulate the charging voltage/current.
A circuit methodology, typically implemented in CMOS integrated circuits, that uses clocked switches and capacitors to transfer charge from node to node such that a resistor function is realized. The effective resistance is governed by capacitor size and
A voltage regulator that uses a switching element to transform the supply into an alternating current, which is then converted to a different voltage using capacitors, inductors, and other elements, then converted back to DC. The circuit includes regulati
A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) is an electronic circuit that convertspower using switching devices that are turned on and off at high frequencies, and storage components such as inductors or capacitors tosupply power when the switching device is in i
Set watchdog timeout
Synchronous Digital Hierarchy, SDH: The ITU-TSS International standard for transmitting information over optical fiber.
In switch-mode power supplies, the "steering" diode is replaced or paralleled with a FET switch to reduce losses and thereby increase efficiency. The FET is off during the inductor charge cycle, and then turned on as the inductor discharges into the load.
A System on a Chip (SoC) integrates most of a system's elements on a single integrated circuit (chip). It typically combines a microprocessor core along with interface elements and analog and mixed signal functions.
A system on a chip or system on chip (SoC or SOC) is an integrated circuit (also known as an "IC" or "chip") that integrates all components of a computer or other electronic systems.
