Bombe
/bɒm/
noun — "an electromechanical device designed to help decrypt Enigma-encrypted messages."
Bombe was an electromechanical machine developed during World War II to expedite the decryption of messages encoded by the German Enigma cipher. Designed to test multiple possible Enigma rotor and plugboard settings systematically, the Bombe reduced the vast number of potential key combinations to manageable levels, enabling Allied cryptanalysts to read enemy communications in near real-time.
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit
/ˈeɪsɪk/
noun — "custom chip designed for a specific task."
Field-Programmable Gate Array
/ˌɛf piː ˌdʒiː ˈeɪ/
noun — "reconfigurable digital logic hardware."
Pulse-Width Modulation
/ˌpiːˌdʌbəljuːˈɛm/
noun — "modulates digital signal duty to control analog behavior."
PWM, short for Pulse-Width Modulation, is a technique used to encode analog signal levels or control power delivered to electronic devices by varying the duty cycle of a digital square wave. It allows a digital output, such as a microcontroller pin, to simulate analog voltage levels by controlling the ratio of time the signal is high versus low within a fixed period.
Technically, a PWM signal is defined by two main parameters:
Serial Peripheral Interface
/ˌɛs piː ˈaɪ/
noun — "serial protocol for high-speed device communication."
SPI, short for Serial Peripheral Interface, is a synchronous serial communication protocol used to transfer data between a master device, such as a microcontroller or CPU, and one or more peripheral devices, like sensors, memory chips, or displays. It enables high-speed, full-duplex data exchange over a minimal set of wires, making it a common choice in embedded systems and microcontroller-based designs.
Technically, an SPI bus consists of at least four signals:
General-Purpose Input/Output
/ˌdʒiːˌpiːˌoʊ/
noun — "programmable pins for general hardware control."
Embedded Systems
/ɪmˈbɛdɪd ˈsɪstəmz/
noun — "computers that disappear into the machines they control."
Embedded Systems are specialized computing systems designed to perform a single, well-defined function as part of a larger physical or logical system. Unlike general-purpose computers, which are built to run many different applications and adapt to changing workloads, embedded systems are purpose-built. They exist to do one job, do it reliably, and do it repeatedly, often without any direct human interaction once deployed.
Voltage Regulator
/ˈvoʊltɪdʒ ˈrɛɡjəˌleɪtər/
noun … “Circuit that maintains a constant output voltage.”
Voltage Regulator is an electronic circuit or device that automatically maintains a stable output voltage regardless of changes in input voltage, load current, or environmental conditions such as temperature. Voltage regulators are a core component of reliable electronic systems, ensuring that sensitive circuits receive clean, predictable power even when the power source is noisy or fluctuating.
Integrated Circuit
/ˈɪntɪˌɡreɪtɪd ˈsɜːrkɪt/
noun … “Miniaturized electronic circuit on a semiconductor chip.”
Rectifier
/ˈrɛktɪfaɪər/
noun … “Circuit that converts alternating current to direct current.”
Rectifier is an electronic circuit or device that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). Rectification is a fundamental process in power electronics, allowing electrical systems and devices that require steady, one-directional current to operate using AC power sources such as wall outlets or generators. Rectifiers are built primarily using diodes, which enforce one-way current flow.