The trunk media of a multimedia LAN, MAN, or WAN separated into sections by bridges, routers, or gateways.
Backward Chaining
A type of expert systems activity that attempts to solve a problem by stating a goal and looking into the database for the conditions that would cause that goal to come about, then reiterating this process, using those conditions as the goals while searching for their preconditions. [DEC].
Bandwidth
The number of user data bytes (i.e. exclusive of communications overhead) that can be sent across the network per second.
Bar Code
(1) Array of rectangular marks and spaces in a predetermined pattern depicting object identification, machine performance or other required data; can be numeric, alphanumeric or combinations thereof. (2) Also used to identify finished or semi-finished products.
Baseband
A signaling technique in which a single channel digital signal is encoded and impressed on the physical medium.
Batch Process
An industrial manufacturing method in which several separate serial and, or parallel operations are carried out to produce a product, in contrast to Continuous Process (q.v.).
Baud
Unit of signaling speed. Baud is the same as bits per second only when every signal event represents exactly one data bit and there is no communications overhead.
Benchmark
A standard by which something can be judged.
BER
Bit Error Rate. The ratio of bits received in error to total bits received.
Bill of Lading
A contract or receipt for goods that a carrier agrees to transport from one place to another and to deliver to a designated person or that it assigns for compensation upon the conditions stated therein [APICs].
Bill of Material
A listing of all the subassemblies, parts and raw materials that go into the parent assembly. It shows the quantity of each raw material required to make the assembly. There are a variety of display formats for BOMS, including single level, indented, modular/ planning, transient, matrix and costed BOMs [APICs, CMSG].
Bill of Resources
A statement of the key resources required to manufacture one unit of a selected item. It is often used to predict the impact of an item in the master production schedule on the supply of resources. [APICs].
Bit
(1) An abbreviation of Binary Digit. (2) A single character is a binary number. (3) A single pulse in a group of pulses. (4) A smallest code element which may possess information in either of two states. (5) An acronym for Binary Digit; the smallest unit of information in the binary numbering system. Represented by the digits 0 and 1.
Bitbus
A serial low speed network developed by Intel Corporation in 1983 for sensor and factory level controlling devices.
BOM Costed
A form of the Bill Of Material that extends the quantity of every component by the cost of the components [APICs].
Bondroom Location
A controlled storeroom for configuration items such as material and parts [SAMA].
Bottleneck
A facility, function, department, etc., that impedes production.
Bridge
A network device that interconnects two local area networks that use the same LLC (Logical Link Control) but may use different MACs (Media Access Control). A bridge requires only OSI (Open System Interconnect) Level 1 and 2 protocols (Also see Gateway and Router).
Broadband
A medium based on CATV (Community Antenna Television) technology where multiple simultaneous signals may be frequency-division multiplexed.
Broadcast
A message addressed to all stations ( e.g. all stations connected to a LAN).
Bus
A broadcast topology where all data stations are connected in parallel to the medium (see Topology).
Business Plan
A statement of income projections, costs and profits usually accompanied by the budgets and a projected balance sheet as well as a cash flow (source and application of funds) statement. It is usually stated in terms of dollars only. The business plan and the production plan, although frequently stated in different terms, should be in agreement with each other. (cf. manufacturing resource planning). Components: Profit Objectives, Production Strategy, Inventory Level, Employment Level, Budgets) [APIC].
Business Unit
The lowest level of the company which contains the set of functions that carry a product through its life span from concept through manufacture, distribution, sales and service.
Business Unit Scope
This is a description of the boundaries and content of a Business Unit.
Byte
A small unit of data bits that are treated as a single unit. The number of bits in a byte is hardware specific, but is most commonly eight (see Octet).