Glossary of Acronyms

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L1 - Level 1 Cache. The CPU's internal or primary cache memory. Consists of a separate data cache and instruction cache.

L2 - Level 2 Cache. The motherboard secondary cache or motherboard cache memory. The L2 cache is special storage for the Intel CPU, or its personal cache. The cache stores information for the CPU that may be needed latter to speed up processing. L2 capacities 256 KB, 512 KB, and 1 MB. SRAM has been used in the past for cache memory. Pipeline burst, consisting of one single SIMM, is the latest type. Either type may be used. On the Pentium Pro CPU, the cache memory is built right into the chip.

LAPM - Link-Access Procedure for Modems. An error-control protocol incorporated in CCITT Recommendation V.42. Like the MNP and HST protocols, uses cyclic redundancy checking (CRC) and retransmission of corrupted data (ARQ) to ensure data reliability.

LB - Local Bus. The local bus is one more directly suited to the CPU; it's next door (hence local), has the same bandwidth and runs at the same speed, so the bottleneck is less (ISA was local in the early days). Data is therefore moved along the bus at processor speeds. There are two varieties, the VLB (VESA Local Bus) and the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect).

LBA - Logical Block Addressing. A method used with SCSI and IDE drives to translate the Cylinder, Head, and Sector specifications of the drive to those usable by an enhanced BIOS. LBA is used with drives that are larger than 528MB and causes the BIOS to translate the drive's logical parameters to those usable by the system BIOS.

LBA is another way of addressing sectors that uses a simple numbering scheme starting with zero as the address of the first sector of the device. The ATA standard requires that cylinder 0, head 0, sector 1 address the same sector as addressed by LBA 0. LBA addressing can be used at the ATA interface if the ATA device supports it. LBA addressing is also used at the INT 13H interface by the AH=4xH read/write calls.

LCC - Leadiess Chip Carrier. A type of integrated circuit package that has input and output pads rather than leads on its perimeter.

LCD - Liquid Crystal Display. A display that uses liquid crystal sealed between two pieces of polarized glass. The polarity of the liquid crystal is changed by an electric current to vary the amount of light that can pass through. Because LCD displays do not generate light, they depend on either the reflection of ambient light or backlighting the screen. The best type of LCD, the active-matrix or thin-film transistor (TFIF) LCD, offers fast screen updates and true color capability.

L-CHS - Logical CHS. The CHS used at the INT 13H interface by the AH=0xH calls.

LED - Light-Emitting Diode. A semiconductor diode that emits light when a current is passed through it.

LFB - Linear Frame Buffer. Video configuration in the motherboard chip set.

LIF - Low Insertion Force. A type of socket for the CPU. A LIF CPU takes some degree of force and a special tool to remove or install.

LIM - Lotus/Intel/Microsoft. EMS - Expanded Memory Specification. A specification for the use of Expanded Memory enabled by HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE. Also referred to as the EMS - Expanded Memory Specification.

LIM-DOW - Light Intensity Modulation Direct Overwrite. A technology used to overwrite MO (Magneto Optical) drives.

LLF - Low Level Format. The dividing of the disk's tracks into a specific number of sectors. The sector's header and trailer information is recorded, as are the intersector and intertrack gaps. Each sector's data area is filled with a dummy byte value or test pattern of values. For floppy disks, the number of sectors recorded on each track depends on the type of disk and drive. For hard disks, the number of sectors per track depends on the drive and controller interface.

LPT - Abbreviation for Line Printer.

LZ - Landing Zone. The designated area of the hard disk where the heads come to a rest once the disk platters have come to a rest.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Compiled by Scott McArdle, MagnaCom Limited. I hope this list has helped you and if there is an item that should be on this list, please let me know. Thanks. PS, I've spent 100's of hours maintaining this list, please don't be a LAMER.