Aviation Glossary

At Dauntless, our editorial staff maintains the web's largest unified glossary of aviation terms. This glossary is built from a combination of official, quasi-official, and proprietary sources (including original material that we develop oursselves). Uniquely, we often provide multiple definitions of a given term so that you can find that which best applies to you. In order to maximize your learning efficiency, this glossary (and similar ones for our international users) is incresingly fully integrated into our aviation learning apps, including our FAA written test prep and FAA practical test prep software and apps. If you like this glossary, you'll love them with their polished learning environments and world's best and clearest content (please do give them a try.).

RS232

A serial interface published by the EIA for asynchronous data communication over distances up to a few hundred feet. Characterized by a single-ended (not differential) physical layer, it uses one signal wire for transmission, another for reception, and a common wire (ground), plus some timing and control signals. Its specifications are rooted in electromechanical equipment signaling (Teletype machines). Still a very common interface but largely replaced by USB in recent years.

The term "serial" interface is often used for an RS-232 interface. The usage is not quite accurate—while RS-232 is a serial interface, there are other serial interfaces in addition to RS-232.

When it was introduced in 1987, the MAX232 rapidly became the most common way to implement RS-232 because it required only a single 5-volt supply. On-board DC-DC converters developed the odd voltages required by the official spec.

source: Electrical Engineering Glossary

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Disclaimer: While this glossary in most cases is likely to be highly accurate and useful, sometimes, for any number of editorial, transcription, technical, and other reasons, it might not be. Additionally, as somtimes you may have found yourself brought to this page through an automated term matching system, you may find definitions here that do not match the cotext or application in which you saw the original term. Please use your good judgement when using this resource.