This glossary of terms contains definitions of commonly used technical terms in our Design Center.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Calculators | Tool that provides a method to convert, calculate or identify. |
| Models | Mathematical description (equation) that describes the physical behavior/characteristics of a device (transistors, diodes) under different conditions. |
| Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Schematic | Graphical representation of an electronic circuit design; a blueprint for the layout and wiring of the actual printed circuit board, showing connections between electronic components. |
| Symbols and Footprints | Both are graphical representations. Symbols represent the electrical characteristics of a component while a footprint represents its physical characteristics. |
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Application Note | Specification of how to use a component in an application or process. |
| Data Sheet | Summary of the performance and other characteristics of a component. |
| Engineering Bulletin | Explanation of a single specific engineering or programming issue. |
| Errata | Known errors or limitations to the product not described in the original data sheet. |
| Package Information | Package details of the component. |
| Packing Information | Packing details of the component, for example, reel and carrier tape specifications. |
| Product Brief | Essential information to evaluate a product for design suitability quickly. |
| Reference Manual | Description of the structure and function of a chip product (SoC) or family of chip products. |
| Release Note | Description of changes and issues in an upcoming update. |
| Safety Manual | Assists the system developer in integrating the referenced NXP chip to achieve the required safety integrity level for the system. |
| User Guide | Procedural manual with step-by-step instructions on how to perform a set of tasks. |
| User Manual | Description of interfaces, modes of operation and possible configurations. |
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Adapters, Cables, Sockets | Physical connectors that enable the integration, connectivity and testing (test sockets) between devices. |
| Embedded Board Solutions | Combination of hardware and software; system-on-module (SOM), computer-on-module (COM) and single board computer (SBC) independent of the form factor. |
| Emulators, Probes, and Programmers | Physical tools for in-circuit programming, debugging and testing devices. |
| Evaluation and Development Boards | Printed circuit board with programmable components designed to produce a working circuit for evaluation or development of a product application. |
| Reference Designs | Application-specific design (typically PCB, full form factor) with schematics, BOMs and design files optimized for the specific use case(s) intended. |
| Term | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Design Software | AI/ML Modeling Tool | Software tool for data curation, model training and model deployment. |
| CAD and CAE Software | Computer-aided design software to create models, perform simulations and generate technical drawings; computer-aided engineering software analyze and optimize CAD designs. | |
| Configuration Tools | Graphical tool for configuring and auto-generating software. | |
| HMI Design Software | Software tool designed for applications requiring HMI. | |
| Motor Control Design Software | Software tool designed for applications requiring motor control. | |
| Embedded Software | Application Example Software | Software example of how to build an application; application solution kit (ASK). |
| BSP and Device Drivers | Software components that provide an interface between the OS and the hardware of a board. | |
| Code Snippets | Example code. | |
| Connectivity Software | Software designed for applications that require connectivity. | |
| Examples and Quick Start Software | Software stacks for various communication/connectivity protocols. | |
| Library | Pre-written, reusable code to create applications. | |
| Middleware | Software that provides capabilities to applications outside of what's offered by the operating system; lies between the OS and the application's running on it. | |
| OS and RTOS | Operating system, real-time operating system. | |
| Safety and Security Software | Software designed for safety and security applications. | |
| Evaluation Software | Demo Software | Software designed to demonstrate specific product applications. |
| Evaluation Package | Software designed to evaluate a product. | |
| Software Development Tools | Debugging and Visualization Tools | Software tool for testing and validating software and hardware components. |
| Development IDEs and Build Tools | Integrated development environment (IDE) for programming and debugging. | |
| Simulation and Modeling Tool | Software tool for simulating and modeling products/systems. | |
| Software Development Resource | Software bundle; software development kit (SDK). |