Binary large object (BLOB)(BLOB)The data type of a column in an RDBMS table which can store large image or textual data as attributes.
binary modulationThe process of varying a parameter of a carrier as a function of two finite, discrete states.
binary notationAny notation that uses two different characters, usually the digits 0 and 1. Note: Data encoded in binary notation need not be in the form of a pure…
Binary numberA number that can be represented using only two numeric symbols - 0 and 1. A number in base 2.
binary operatorAn operator taking two operands. Java has many binary operators, such as the arithmetic operators +, -, *, / and %, and the boolean operators &&, || and…
binary searchA search of sorted data, in which the middle position is examined first. Search continues with either the left or the right portion of the data, thus…
binary synchronous (bi-sync) communicationA character-oriented, data-link-layer protocol. Note: The bi-sync protocol is being phased out of most computer communication networks in favor of…
binary tree server topologyConnects servers in a pyramid fashion: the top server connects to two servers below it, each of which connects to two servers below it, and so on.
binary-coded decimal (BCD)Pertaining to the representation of a decimal digit by a unique arrangement of no fewer than four binary digits.
binding (XML)Generating the code needed to process a well-defined portion of XML data.
binding of functionalityAn aspect of the assessment of the effectiveness of a Target of Evaluation, namely the ability of its security enforcing functions and mechanisms to work…
binding portsA NetApp appliance feature that enables administrators to designate which network interfaces (ports) are configured to handle incoming and outgoing…
BinningProcess of parsing (examining) or classifying data in order to accelerate and/or improve biometric matching.
Biological Biometric CharacteristicA biometric characteristic based primarily on an anatomical or physiological characteristic, rather than a learned behavior.
Biological WeaponAn item of material, which projects, disperses, or disseminates a biological agent including arthropod vectors.
BiometricA physical or behavioral characteristic of a human being.
Biometric Consortium (BC)An open forum to share information throughout government, industry, and academia. For more information visit www.biometrics.org.
Biometric DataA catch-all phrase for computer data created during a biometric process. It encompasses raw sensor observations, biometric samples, models, templates…
Biometric InformationThe stored electronic information pertaining to a biometric. This information can be in terms of raw or compressed pixels or in terms of some…
Biometric SampleInformation or computer data obtained from a biometric sensor device. Examples are images of a face or fingerprint.
Biometric SystemAn automated system capable of: 1) capturing a biometric sample from an end user; 2) extracting biometric data from that sample; 3) comparing the…
Biometric TemplateA characteristic of biometric information (e.g. minutiae or patterns.)
Biometrics(BY-oh-MEH-triks) The science of collecting and analyzing biologic or health data using statistical methods.
BIOS (Basic Input Output System)The set of user-independent computer instructions stored in a computers ROM, immediately available to the computer when the computer is turned on.
BIOS boot orderA list of all potential bootable devices listed in booting order. If the boot on the first device on the list does not yield a valid boot sector, the BIOS…
bipolar signalA signal that may assume either of two polarities, neither of which is zero. Note 1: A bipolar signal may have a two-state non-return-to-zero (NRZ) or a…
bipolar violationIn a bipolar alternate mark inversion (AMI) signal, a "one" condition (mark, pulse) having the same polarity as its predecessor. [After T1.408-1990]
birefringenceIn a transparent material, anisotropism of the refractive index, which varies as a function of polarization as well as orientation with respect to the…
BIRRDSThe Telcordia⢠Business Integrated Routing and Rating Database System contains data in the routing and rating of calls.
Birth-to-Death Tracking (BDT)The tracking of space objects (e.g., satellites, reentry vehicles, or decoys that simulate these) from the time they are deployed from a booster or…
birthday phenomenonThe phenomenon stating that, for a category size of 365 (the number of days in a year), after only 23 people are gathered, the probability is greater than…
bistablePertaining to a device capable of assuming either one of two stable states.
Bistatic RadarA radar system that has transmitters and receivers stationed at two geographically separate locations; a special case of multi-static radar.
BitA bit ( B inary dig IT ) is the smallest unit of computer data. A bit consists of either 0 or 1. There are eight bits in a byte.
bit errorA bit that is transferred from the source to the destination within the assigned time slot, but that, when delivered, is of a different value from that…
Bit Error Rate TestA test performed on a digital facility/service which counts erroneous bits and divides them by the bits sent over a set period of time.
bit error ratio (BER)The number of erroneous bits divided by the total number of bits transmitted, received, or processed over some stipulated period.
bit error ratio tester (BERT)A testing device that compares a received data pattern with a known transmitted pattern to determine the level of transmission quality.
bit interleaved parity N (BIP-N)A method of error monitoring. If even parity is used, an N bit code is generated by the transmitting equipment over a specified portion of the signal in…
bit intervalSee bit, character interval, unit interval.
bit inversionThe changing of the state of a bit to the opposite state. 2. The changing of the state that represents a given bit, i.e.
bit manipulation operatorOperators, such as &, | and ^, that are used to examine an manipulate individual bits within the bytes of a data item.
bit maskingIn embedded ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse-code modulation), the process of discarding the enhancement bits. [T1.310-1991]
bit pairingThe practice of establishing, within a code set, a number of subsets that have an identical bit representation except for the state of a specified bit.
bit period (T)The amount of time required to transmit a logical one or a logical zero. [T1.106-1988]
bit positionA character position in a word in a binary notation.
bit rate (BR)In a bit stream, the number of bits occurring per unit time, usually expressed in bits per second.
bit robbingIn digital carrier systems, the practice or technique of preempting, at regular intervals and for the purpose of transmitting signaling information, one…
bit shiftThe movement of bits left or right in a computer word, which has the effect of multiplying or dividing by a power of 2.
bit slipIn digital transmission, the loss of a bit or bits, caused by variations in the respective clock rates of the transmitting and receiving devices.
bit stringA sequence of bits that is actually being thought of as a sequence of bits, for once.
bit stuffingThe insertion of noninformation bits into data. Note 1: Stuffed bits should not be confused with overhead bits.
bit synchronizationSynchronization in which the decision instant is brought into alignment with the received bit, i.e., the basic signaling element.
bit synchronous operationOperation in which data circuit terminating equipment (DCE), data terminal equipment (DTE), and transmitting circuits are all operated in bit synchronism…
Bit Transfer RateThe number of bits transferred per unit time, usually expressed in bits per second (bps).
bit-by-bit asynchronous operationIn data transmission, an operation in which manual, semiautomatic, or automatic shifts in the data modulation rate are accomplished by gating or slewing…
bit-count integrity (BCI)In message communications, the preservation of the exact number of bits that are in the original message. 2.
bit-sequence independenceA characteristic of some digital data transmission systems that impose no restrictions on, or modification of, the transmitted bit sequence.
bit-steppedPertaining to the control of digital equipment in which operations are performed one step at a time at the applicable bit rate.
bit-stream transmissionIn bit-oriented systems, the transmission of bit strings. 2. In character-oriented systems, the transmission of bit streams that represent characters.
BITEWhen a fish takes or touches a bait so that the fisherman feels it.
biternary transmissionDigital transmission in which two binary pulse trains are combined for transmission over a channel in which the available bandwidth is sufficient for…
BitLocker disabled modeA mode in which the disk volume is still encrypted by BitLocker Drive Encryption, but security is effectively disabled because the full-volume encryption…
BitLocker Drive EncryptionA hardware-based security feature that prevents unauthorized access to a computer by providing full-volume encryption and integrity checking of boot…
BitLocker enabled modeA mode in which BitLocker Drive Encryption is turned on and the data on the volume is transparently encrypted by BitLocker as it is written and decrypted…
BitLocker off modeA mode in which BitLocker Drive Encryption protection is turned off on a disk volume and the disk volume is not encrypted.
bitmapIn computer graphics, a representation of an image (which category includes characters) by code or a coding scheme that defines (a) the position of pixels…
bitmapped graphicsIn computer graphics, an image created with, or represented by, a matrix of pixels. Synonym [loosely] raster graphics.
BITNETAbbreviation for Because It's Time NETwork. An early (ca. 1981) store-and-forward digital communications network interconnecting universities and research…
bits per inch (b/in)A unit used to express the linear bit density of data in storage. Note: The abbreviation "bpi" is not in accordance with international standards, and is…
bits per pixel (BPP)In a digitized image, the number of bits used to represent the luminance (brightness, gray scale) and chroma (color) information contained in each pixel.
bits per second (b/s)A unit used to express the number of bits passing a designated point per second.
bitwise operatorAn operator that manipulates the bits of one or more of its operands individually and in parallel.
BIUAbbreviation for bus interface unit. See network interface device.
BLACK[A] designation applied to telecommunications and automated information systems, and to associated areas, circuits, components, and equipment, in which…
Black BodyA hypothetical object that absorbs all of the radiation that strikes it; also emits radiation at a maximum rate for its given temperature.
black boxA generic term for a single-purpose device having limited functionality. Note: A black box is usually represented in schematic drawings as a geometric…