| Item |
Acronym Definition |
Description |
| Adapter Card |
|
Also called an interface card. A small circuit board inserted in an expansion slot and used to communicate between the system bus and a peripheral device. |
| AGP |
Advanced Graphics Port |
A bus designed specifically for video cards to provide transfer of video data from the CPU that is synchronized with the memory bus. |
| API |
Application Program Interface |
The interface that a computer system, library or application provides in order to allow requests for service to be made of it by other computer programs, and/or to allow data to be exchanged between them. An API is often a part of a Software development kit (SDK). |
| ATX |
Advanced Technology extended |
Computer motherboard format and electrical interface specification by Intel |
| Baud rate (BPS) |
Bits per second |
A measure of line speed between two devices such as a computer and a printer or a modem. |
| BGA |
Ball Grid Array |
Modern package of semiconductor devices. There are no pins only and array of solder balls on the underside to connect it to the system board. |
| BIOS |
Basic I/O System |
The BIOS refers to the software code run by a computer when first powered on. The primary function of BIOS is to initialize the components of the computer so that programs stored on various media (hard disks, CD ROMs, etc.) can load, execute and assume control of the computer. |
| Booting |
|
The process that a computer goes through when it is first turned on to get the computer ready to operate |
| Bus |
|
Parallel wires or printed circuits used to transmit electronic signals on the system board to other devices. |
| CE |
Conformité Européene (Certification) |
European safety standards certification. |
| CF |
Compact Flash |
Small format data storage card used in consumer devices. Also available in industrial grade for embedded computing applications. |
| CFM |
Cubic Feet per Minute |
Measure of airflow for cooling |
| Chip set |
Typically northbridge, southbridge, multi-IO |
A group of chips on the system board that supports the CPU providing careful timing of activities such as memory interface, AGP, PCI, PCI-express LPC, bus interfaces and including functions such as USB ports, SATA, IDE. |
| Client/Server |
Networking |
In a network, a computer (client) is connected to another computer (host) and uses programs and/ or data stored on the other computer. |
| Color Depth , bpp |
Bits per pixel |
The number of colors that a monitor is able to display. 32bpp is also referred to as “True Color” |
| CPLD |
Complex Programmable Logic Device |
Semiconductor device that can be programmed to perform specific logic functions. |
| CPU |
Central Processing Unit |
Also called a micro processor. The heart and brain of the computer, which receives data input, processes information, and executes instructions. |
| DDR /DDR2 |
Double Data Rate |
Memory module speed specification. |
| DIMM |
Dual Inline Memory Module |
Memory module physical specification. |
| EEPROM |
Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM chip |
A type of non-volatile memory chip which may be erased and electronically rewritten. Same as Flash Memory |
| EMC |
Electromagnetic Compatibility |
The tests employed or results of testing an electrical device for electromagnetic radiation and susceptibility. |
| ESCD |
extended system configuration data |
Data written to CMOS memory of what you have done manually to the system configuration that plug and play does not do on its own. |
| ESD |
Electrostatic discharge |
The tests employed or results of testing an electrical device for resilience against static discharge. |
| Ethernet |
Networking |
The most popular network topology used today. |
| FCC |
Federal Communications Commission |
USA government agency in charge of electrical safety in the radio spectrum. |
| Full-duplex |
|
Communication that happens in two directions at the same time. |
| FWH |
Firmware Hub |
|
| GMA |
Graphics Media Accelerator |
Intel term for integrated graphics included in some chipset’s Northbridge |
| HDD |
Hard Disk Drive |
Mass storage device in a computer system |
| I/O |
Input/Output |
|
| PC, X86 |
IBM-compatible |
A computer that uses an Intel (or compatible) processor and can run DOS and Windows. |
| ICH |
I/O Controller Hub |
Intel term for the Southbridge of Intel chipsets. |
| IDE/EIDE |
(Enhanced) Integrated Device Electronics |
Hard drive interface in a PC. Also used for CD ROM drives and DVD ROM drives. |
| IRQ |
Interrupt Request |
A line on a bus that is assigned to a device and is used to signal the CPU for urgent servicing. |
| Jumper |
Found on motherboards |
Small connector pins used to hold or set configuration information. The jumper is considered closed if a cover is over the wires, and open if the cover is missing. |
| Kernel |
Refers to operating systems |
Core portion of an operating system that loads applications and manages files, memory, and other resources. |
| LAN |
Local Area Network |
Network or network controller. Most commonly Ethernet compatible |
| LED |
Light Emitting Diode |
Small device often used on computers to signal status or activity. For example hard disk access light. |
| LPC |
Low Pin Count |
Electrical bus found on system boards. Usually internal to the motherboard connecting on-board devices. Replaced legacy ISA bus in newer PC architecture. |
| MXM |
Mobile PCI-express Module |
Electrical and physical specification for graphics modules. Released by Nvidia. |
| NVRAM |
Non Volatile RAM |
Memory device that maintain contents without needing refresh as long as power is applied. In Densitron products this is usually implemented with SRAM memory. See SRAM. |
| Northbridge |
Part of chipset |
That portion of the chip set that connects fastest components to the system bus (CPU, RAM, PCI-Express X16). Compare to South bridge. |
| PCB |
Printed Circuit Board |
The substrate fibre glass and copper board on which computer boards are built. |
| PCI |
Peripheral component interconnect bus |
A parallel bus common on Pentium computers that runs at speeds of up to 33 MHz, with a 32-bit-wide data path. |
| PCI-Express |
Peripheral component interconnect Express bus |
A fast serial differential signaling bus that is fast replacing PCI both on-board and for adapter cards. |
| Pixel |
Picture element |
Small dots on a monitor screen that are illuminated to create an image. Monitors and screen modes are measured in pixels (horizontal and vertical), color depth and (vertical) refresh rate. For example 1024 x 768 x 32bpp, 70 Hz |
| POST |
Power-on Self Test |
A self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices. The POST is performed when the computer is first turned on and is stored in ROM-BIOS. |
| RAM |
Random Access Memory |
The primary memory the CPU uses to execute programs and store data. The DIMMs or SO-DIMMs. RAM contents must be refreshed and disappear when power is turned off. |
| RoHS |
Restriction of Hazardous Substances |
European standard for levels of several toxic substances in electrical devices. |
| ROM |
Read Only Memory |
Chips that contain programming code and cannot be erased. |
| SATA |
Serial ATA |
A fast serial differential signaling bus that is fast replacing the EIDE bus for mass storage devices (hard drives, CD ROMs) |
| SO-DIMM |
Small outline Dual in line memory module |
A small memory module designed for notebooks that has 144 pins (SDRAM) or 200 pins DDR and DDR2) |
| South Bridge |
Part of chipset |
That portion of the chip set that connects slower I/O buses (e.g., ISA, LPC, PCI bus) to the system bus. Compare to North bridge. |
| SPDIF |
Sony Philips Digital Interface Format |
Digital audio specification can use copper wire or optic fibre. |
| SRAM |
Static RAM |
RAM chips that retain information without the need for refreshing, as long as the computer's power is on or a separate battery is provided. They are more expensive than traditional DRAM but offer similar fast access without special refresh circuitry needed. Used for NVRAM in gaming applications to store gaming device “soft metering information.” |
| TPM |
Trusted Platform Module |
Industry standard device for enhancing security of PC devices. Part of Trusted Computing Initiative. |
| UART |
Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter |
Serial port device (com port). |
| UL |
Underwriters Laboratories Inc |
US based independent standards organization concerned with product safety. |
| USB |
Universal serial bus |
A serial bus that is replacing serial (RS232) and parallel ports, designed to make installation and configuration of I/O devices easy, providing room for as many as 127 devices daisy-chained together. The USB uses only a single set of resources for all devices on the bus. |
| VGA |
Video Graphics Array |
The graphics subsystem of a PC. Also refers to the video modes (sizes) |
| WDT |
Watchdog Timer |
A hardware component of some motherboards that will generate a system reset if the application software does not access it regularly. This is used to reset the machine in the event of a software crash or timeout. |
| WEEE |
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment |
European initiative to control the disposal of electronic equipment. |
| Densitron Specific Terms |
| DPCI |
Direct Peripheral Component Interconnect |
CPLD based architecture for providing IO expansion as well as on-board function for gaming boards. |
| ConnectBus |
Densitron gaming board specification |
Single connector design for easy to install and service gaming boards. |
| IDLP |
Intrusion Detection and Logging Processor |
Densitron PIC based nanowatt system for monitoring cabinet doors, system resets, time and date stamps events. Works with and without system power (battery backed). Required for GLI and other regulations. |
| Gaming Specific Terms |
| Soft Metering |
|
The data a gaming machine must maintain includes — money in, money paid out, outcome of the last X games played, machine state in case of power fail. This is a requirement for all regulatory approvals although details vary. This information is usually stored on the gaming board in NVRAM. |
| GLI |
Gaming Laboratories International Inc. |
Independent testing agency that also published technical standards for gaming devices: www.gaminglabs.com. Gli 11 Nov 2000 is the usual regulation for Class III type games. |
| GCB |
Gaming Control Board - Las Vegas |
Nevada State gaming lab. |
| Control Program |
Regulatory Term |
The software application programs running on a gaming device that can affect operation and outcome. |
| Intrusion switch |
Hardware feature |
Special input used to detect if cabinet doors or other internal doors of a machine are opened. Densitron products offer these with battery backup so that events are registered and stored even if machine power is off. A requirement for many regulatory bodies. |
| Class II |
USA gaming market classification |
Games that are authorized as “bingo style” games including pull tabs, instant bingo, lotto. Although Class II slot machines look like Las Vegas slot machines, the individual terminal is not determining the outcome. Rather a central server is networked to all the terminals and a game play consists of “buying” a bingo card which is automatically matched against the numbers the server has “pulled.” At present time Class II machines can be operated in most states on Tribal land without a “compact” with the state, without a limitation on the number of machines and without any revenue sharing with the state. |
| Class III |
USA gaming market classification |
Las Vegas style slot machines. Each terminal independently determines outcomes. |
