1-13
COMPLEMENTARY LAW—In Boolean algebra this law states that the logical addition of a quantity and
its complement will result in 1 and the logical multiplication of a quantity and its complement will
result in a product of 0 [13].
COMPLEMENT NUMBER—A number that when added to another number gives a sum equal to the base
of the number system of operation. For example, in the decimal number system, the complement of 1 is
9 [13].
COMPLEX WAVE—(1) A waveform other than a sine wave [9]. (2) A wave that is produced by
combining two or more pure tones at the same time [10] [12].
COMPOUND-WOUND MOTORS AND GENERATORS—Machines that have a series field in addition
to a shunt field. Such machines have characteristics of both series- and shunt-wound machines [5].
COMPRESSION WAVES—Longitudinal waves that have been compressed (made more dense) as they
move away from the source [10].
COMPUTER—A data processor that can perform substantial computation, including numerous arithmetic
or logic operations, without intervention by a human operator during the run [13].
CONCURRENT—Pertaining to the occurrence of two or more events or activities within the same
specified interval of time [13].
CONDUCTANCE—The ability of a material to conduct or carry an electric current. It is the reciprocal of
the resistance of the material and is expressed in mhos or siemens [1] [4] [10].
CONDUCTION BAND—A partially filled energy band in which electrons can move freely [7].
CONDUCTIVITY—The ease with which a substance transmits electricity [1].
CONDUCTOR—(1) A material with a large number of free electrons. (2) A material that easily permits
electric current to flow [1].
CONDUIT—A tubular raceway, usually metal or plastic, for holding wires or cables [4].
CONICAL SCANNING—Scanning in which the movement of the beam describes a cone, the axis of
which coincides with that of the reflector [18].
CONNECTED ARRAY—Another term for DRIVEN ARRAY [10].
CONTACT—In radar, an object that reflects RF energy; target [18].
CONTINUITY—An uninterrupted, complete path for current flow [3] [16].
CONTINUOUS-WAVE KEYING—The on-off keying of a carrier [12].
CONTROL DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMITTER (CDX)—A type of synchro that transmits angular
information equal to the algebraic sum or difference of the electrical input supplied to its stator, the
mechanical input supplied to its stator, and the mechanical input supplied to its rotor. The output is an
electrical voltage taken from the rotor windings [15].
CONTROL GRID—The electrode of a vacuum tube, other than a diode, upon which a signal voltage is
impressed to regulate the plate current [6].
