Page 288 - Electrical Engineering Dictionary

(2) a method of representing numbers as this way, the upgrading of BIOS can be made
integers with an understood slope and ori- by software without opening the computer by
gin. To convert a fixed-point representation non-specifically skilled people.
to its value, multiply the representation by
the slope (called the DELTA in Ada) and flashover arcing between segments of the
add the origin value. Fixed-point representa- commutator of a DC machine. Flashover
tionprovidesfastcomputationsfordataitems may occur due to distortion of the airgap flux
that can be adequately represented by this as a result of heavy overloads, rapidly chang-
method. ing loads, or operation with a weak main
field.
FLA See full load amperage.
flat address a continuous address specifi-
flag (1) a bit used to set or reset some con- cation by means of a unique number. Operat-
dition or state in assembly language or ma- ing systems such as Windows NT, OS/2 and
chine language. For instance, the inheritance
Mac OS use such a type of address. MS-DOS
flag, and the interrupt flag. As an example,
adopts the real-mode that adopts a segmented
each maskable interrupt is enabled and dis-
memory.
abled by a local mask bit. An interrupt is
enabled when its local mask bit is set. When
flat fading See frequency nonselective
an interrupt’s trigger event occurs, the pro-
channel.
cessor sets the interrupt’s flag bit.
(2) a variable that is set to a prescribed
flat pack a component with two straight
state, often “true” or “false,” based on the
rows of leads (normally on 0.050-in centers)
results of a process or the occurrence of a
that are parallel to the component body.
specified condition. Same as indicator.
flat panel display a very thin display
flag register (1) a register that holds a
screen used in portable computers. Nearly all
special type of flag.
modern flat-panel displays use liquid crystal
(2) a CPU register that holds the control
display technologies. Most LCD screens are
and status bits for the processor. Typically,
backlit to make them easier to read in bright
bits in the flag register indicate whether a nu-
environments.
meric carry or overflow has occurred, as well
as the masking of interrupts and other excep-
tion conditions. flat topping a distortion mechanism in an
amplifying stage in which the stage is unable
flash EEPROM See flash memory. to faithfully reproduce the positive peaks of
the output signal. Reasons for such problems
flash memory a family of single- include poor regulation of the plate voltage
transistor cell EPPROMs. Cell sizes are supply.
about half that of a two-transistor EEPROM,
an important economic consideration. Bulk flat voltage start the usual initial as-
erasure of a large portion of the memory array sumption made when beginning a power-
is required. flow study. All voltages are assumed to be
The mechanism for erasing the memory is 1.0 p.u., and all angles are assumed to be
easier and faster that needed for EEPROM. zero.
This allowed their adoption for making mem-
ory banks on PCMCIA for replacing hard flat-compounded characteristicofcertain
disks into portable computers. Recently, also compound-wound DC generator designs in
used for storing BIOS on PC main boards. In which the output voltage is maintained essen-

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