Hardware

/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:

/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:

/ˌdʒiːˌpiːˌoʊ/

noun — "programmable pins for general hardware control."

/ˈmɛməri ˈmænɪdʒmənt ˈjuːnɪt/

noun — "hardware that translates and protects memory."

Memory Management Unit is a hardware component of a processor responsible for translating virtual memory addresses into physical memory addresses and enforcing memory protection rules. It sits between the CPU core and physical memory, acting as the gatekeeper that ensures programs see a consistent, isolated view of memory while preventing illegal or unsafe access.

/ˌsiː piː ˈjuː/

noun — "central processor executing instructions."

CPU, short for Central Processing Unit, is the primary component of a computer responsible for executing program instructions, performing arithmetic and logical operations, and coordinating the activities of all other hardware components. It functions as the “brain” of a computing system, interpreting and processing data according to software commands.

Technically, a CPU consists of multiple key units:

/ˌjuːˈfiːˈaɪ/

noun — "modern firmware interface replacing legacy BIOS."

UEFI, short for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, is a modern firmware interface for computers that replaces the legacy BIOS. It provides a flexible and extensible environment for bootstrapping operating systems, initializing hardware, and enabling advanced system features. UEFI standardizes the interaction between system firmware and the operating system, supporting large disks, secure boot, and modular firmware components.

/ˌbaɪˈɒs/

noun — "firmware that initializes and tests hardware at startup."

BIOS, short for Basic Input/Output System, is firmware embedded on a computer’s motherboard that provides the fundamental instructions to initialize hardware components, perform self-tests, and load an operating system from storage. It acts as the bridge between the computer hardware and higher-level software, ensuring that devices are recognized, configured, and accessible before handing control to the operating system.

/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.

/ˈpaʊər səˌplaɪ/

noun … “System that provides electrical energy in usable form.”

Power Supply is an electrical device or system that delivers controlled electrical power to an electronic load. Its primary role is to convert energy from a source—such as mains electricity, a battery, or a generator—into the specific voltage, current, and stability required by electronic circuits. Power supplies are foundational to all electronic systems, from tiny embedded devices to large data centers.

/sɪˈkwɛnʃəl ˈsɜːrkɪt/

noun … “Logic circuit whose output depends on current and past inputs.”