|
L-Band
|
The group of radio frequencies extending from 390MHz to 1550MHz. The GPS carrier frequencies (1227.6MHz and 1575.42MHz) are in the L-band. |
|
LAN
|
Local Area Network: A computer network, usually within one building, that connects computers, file and mail servers, storage, peripherals, and other devices in a way that permits data interchange and sharing of resources. Ethernet and WiFi (802.11) are common examples. |
| LANs |
See LAN
|
| Large-scale integration |
See LSI
|
| Laser Diode Driver |
See Laser Driver
|
|
Laser Driver
|
An IC that supplies modulated current to a laser diode in response to an input serial-data stream. |
|
LCC
|
1. Leadless Ceramic Chip Carrier or Leadless Chip Carrier: An IC package, usually ceramic, that has no leads (pins). It instead uses metal pads at its outer edge to make contact with the printed circuit board. Example: Maxim 20-pin LCC diagram (PDF)
2. Leaded Chip Carrier, also called PLCC or Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier: A square surface mount chip package in plastic with leads (pins) on all four sides. Example: Maxim 20-pin PLCC diagram (PDF) |
|
LCD
|
Liquid-crystal display |
|
LDO
|
Low Drop Out: A linear voltage regulator that will operate even when the input voltage barely exceeds the desired output voltage. |
| LDO Regulator Low Dropout Regulator |
See LDO
|
| Leaded Chip Carrier |
See LCC
|
| Leadless Chip Carrier |
See LCC
|
|
Leakage Inductance
|
Leakage inductance in a transformer is an inductive component that results from the imperfect magnetic linking of one winding to another.
In an ideal transformer, 100% of the energy is magnetically coupled from the primary to the secondary windings. Imperfect coupling causes some loss. The electrical equivalent is some self-inductance in series with the primary windings that are properly coupled. This series inductance is the "leakage inductance."
|
|
LED
|
Light-Emitting Diode: A semiconductor device that emits light (usually visible or infrared) when forward-biased.
The application note, "Driving LEDs in Battery-Operated Applications: Controlling Brightness Power Efficiently" has a good explanation of how LEDs work, especially with regard to current vs. LED brightness and schemes for matching brightness when driving multiple LEDs. |
| Level Translator |
See Level Translator
|
|
LFSR
|
Linear Feedback Shift Register: A shift register in which some of its outputs are connected to the input through some logic gates (typically, an exclusive-or (XOR). A wide variety of bit patterns can be generated inexpensively, including pseudo-random sequences. Can be used as a noise generator.
Some application notes that include an LFSR:
|
|
LGHL
|
Low gain, high linearity |
| Li |
See Lithium batteries
|
| Li+ |
See Lithium-ion batteries
|
| Li-Ion |
See Lithium-ion batteries
|
| Light-Emitting Diode |
See LED
|
|
LIN
|
Local Interconnect Network (LIN): Defined by the LIN-BUS consortium, a LIN is a low data-rate, single-wire communications system, used in automotive and heavy vehicle applications. |
|
Line Regulation
|
The ability of a power-supply voltage regulator to maintain its output voltage despite variations in its input voltage. |
| linear |
See Analog
|
|
Linear
|
1. Having the property that the output is proportional to the input. E.g.:
VOUT = k*VIN
where k is a constant.
2. Analog; as in a "linear" circuit (as opposed to digital).
|
| Linear Amplifier |
See Class A
|
| Linear Fan Control |
See Fan Controller - Linear
|
| Linear Feedback Shift Register |
See LFSR
|
|
Linear Mode
|
Uses a linear-pass element (BJT or FET) to control/regulate the charging voltage/current. |
|
Linear Regulator
|
A voltage regulator that is placed between a supply and the load and provides a constant voltage by varying its effective resistance. |
| Linear Taper |
See Taper
|
| Lion |
See Lithium-ion batteries
|
| Lithium |
See Lithium batteries
|
|
Lithium batteries
|
Lithium batteries for low-power, high-reliability, long-life applications such as non-volatile memory and timekeeping (typically in coin-shaped cells) use a variety of lithium-based chemistries (as differentiated from lithium-ion).
Dallas Semiconductor NV SRAM and timekeeping products use mostly BR chemistry (poly-carbonmonofluoride) primary (non-rechargeable) lithium coin cells. We use CR chemistry (manganese dioxide) primary lithium coin cells in microcontroller and touch products. Some new products use "manganese lithium" (ML) chemistry, which is chemically close to the CR, but is a secondary (rechargeable) lithium coin cell. |
| Lithium Ion |
See Lithium-ion batteries
|
| Lithium-Ion |
See Lithium-ion batteries
|
|
Lithium-ion batteries
|
Lithium and lithium-ion: A number of battery chemistries are based on the element lithium, a highly-reactive metallic element. Lithium-based batteries are common in two applications: Power for portable equipment such as cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players; and low-power, long-life applications such as powering memory elements and clocks.
Lithium-ion (Li+, Li-Ion, Lion) cells are generally used as power sources for portable equipment. They are usually rechargeable. Lithium-ion and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) have displaced nickel-cadmium (NiCd or nicad) as the dominant rechargeable chemistry for portable applications. Maxim/Dallas makes a wide range of battery management products for all these families, including chargers, fuel gauges, and smart battery components.
Lithium batteries (see link below for details) are typically coin-shaped and are used to power items such as Dallas Semiconductor's non-volatile static RAM (NV SRAM) and timekeeping circuits (such as real-time clocks). |
|
LL
|
Local loopback |
|
Lm
|
Lumen(s) |
|
Lm/W
|
Lumen(s) per watt |
|
LMDS
|
Local Multipoint Distribution Service: A broadband radio service, located in the 28GHz and 31GHz bands, designed to provide two-way transmission of voice, high-speed data and video (wireless cable TV). In the U.S., FCC rules prohibit incumbent local exchange carriers and cable-TV companies from offering in-region LMDS. |
|
LNA
|
Low noise amplifier. Typical use: The first stage of a satellite receiver. |
|
LO
|
Local oscillator |
| Load Regulation |
See Voltage Regulator
|
| Local Interconnect Network |
See LIN
|
| Local Multipoint Distribution Service |
See LMDS
|
|
Local Temperature
|
The temperature measured on the die of the temperature-measuring integrated circuit. |
|
Local Temperature Sensor
|
An element or function of an integrated circuit that measures its own die temperature. |
| Log Pot |
See Taper
|
| Logarithmic Pot |
See Taper
|
| Logarithmic Potentiometer |
See Taper
|
| Logarithmic Taper |
See Taper
|
|
LOL
|
Loss of lock |
|
Long Haul
|
A network that spans distances larger than a local area network (LAN). Because electrical and optical transmissions fade over distance, long-haul networks are difficult and expensive to implement. |
|
Long Term Evolution
|
Proposed next-generation, wireless, broadband network. LTE is presently a project within 3GPP, the Third Generation Partnership Project. |
| Long-Haul |
See Long Haul
|
|
LOP
|
Loss of power |
|
LOS
|
Loss of signal |
|
Low Batt. Det.
|
Low battery detector |
| Low Drop Out |
See LDO
|
| Low Dropout |
See LDO
|
| Low Dropout Linear Regulator |
See LDO
|
| Low Frequency Gain Boost |
See Bass Boost
|
|
Low Line O/P
|
Low line output |
| Low Noise Amplifier |
See LNA
|
| Low Voltage Differential Signaling |
See LVDS
|
| Low Voltage Emitter Coupled Logic |
See LVECL
|
| Low Voltage Positive Emitter Coupled Logic |
See LVPECL
|
| Low Voltage Transistor-Transistor Logic |
See LVTTL
|
|
Low-Side
|
An element connected between the load and ground. Low-side current sensing applications measure current by looking at the voltage drop across a resistor placed between the load and ground. |
|
LSB
|
Least-significant bit. In a binary number, the LSB is the least weighted bit in the number. Typically, binary numbers are written with the MSB in the left-most position; the LSB is the furthest-right bit. |
|
LSI
|
Large-scale integration (LSI). See VLSI. |
| LTE |
See Long Term Evolution
|
|
Luminance
|
1. The emitted light, projected per unit area, measured in cd/m2 (candela per square meter). Often incorrectly equated with "brightness" (see link below).
2. The black and white portion of a video signal, also referred to as the "Y" component. A composite, Y/C, or Y/Pb/Pr video signal combines a luminance signal with color components. |
|
LVC
|
Lowest voltage clamp |
|
LVDS
|
Low Voltage Differential Signaling |
|
LVECL
|
Low Voltage Emitter Coupled Logic |
|
LVPECL
|
Low Voltage Positive Emitter Coupled Logic |
|
LVS
|
Layout versus schematic |
|
LVTTL
|
Low Voltage Transistor-Transistor Logic |
