Condition that occurs when a bridge circuit is adjusted to produce a zero output.
band-pass filter
A tuned circuit designed to pass a band of frequencies between a lower cut-off frequency (f1) and a higher cut-off frequency (f2). Frequencies above and below the pass band are heavily attenuated.
band-stop filter
A tuned circuit designed to stop frequencies between a lower cut-off frequency (f1) and a higher cut-off frequency (f2) of the amplifier while passing all other frequencies.
bandwidth
Width of the band of frequencies between the half power points.
barrier potential
The natural difference of potential that exists across a forward biased pn junction.
base
The region that lies betwen the emitter and collector of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT).
base biasing
A method of biasing a BJT in which the bias voltage is supplied to the base by means of a resistor.
battery
A DC voltage source containing two or more cells that convert chemical energy to electrical energy.
baud
A unit of signaling speed equal to the number of signal events per second. Not necessarily the same as bits per second.
beta
(b) The ratio of collector current to base current in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT).
bias
A DC voltage applied to a device to control its operation.
binary
A number system having only two symbols, 0 and 1. A base 2 number system.
bipolar junction transistor
(BJT), A three terminal device in which emitter to collector current is controlled by base current.
bistable multivibrator
A multivibrator with two stable states. An external signal is required to change the output from one state to the other. Also called a latch.
bleeder current
A current drawn continously from a souce. Bleeder current is used to stabilize the output voltage of a source.
bode plot
A graph of gain versus frequency.
branch current
The portion of total current flowing in one path of a parallel circuit.
breakdown voltage
Voltage at which the breakdown of a dialectric or insulator occurs.
breakover voltage
Minimum voltage required to cause a diac to break down and conduct.
bridge rectifier
A circuit using four diodes to provide full wave rectification. Converts an AC voltage to a pulsating DC voltage.
buffer
An amplifier used to isolate a load from a source.
bulk resistance
The natural resistance of a "P" type or "N" type semiconductor material.
butterworth filter
A type of active filter characterized by a constant gain (flat response) across the midband of the circuit and a 20 dB per decade roll-off rate for each pole contained in the circuit.
BW
Abbreviation for bandwidth.
bypass capacitor
A capacitor used to provide an AC ground at some point in a circuit.
