8XC196MC, MD, MH USER’S MANUAL
Glossary-6
nonmaskable interrupts Interrupts that cannot be masked (disabled) and
cannot be assigned to the PTS for processing. The
nonmaskable interrupts are unimplemented opcode,
software trap, and NMI.
nonvolatile memory Read-only memory that retains its contents when
power is removed. Many MCS
®
96 microcontrollers
are available with either masked ROM, EPROM, or
OTPROM. Consult the Automotive Products or
Embedded Microcontrollers databook to determine
which type of memory is available for a specific
device.
npn transistor A transistor consisting of one part p-type material and
two parts n-type material.
off-isolation The ability of an A/D converter to reject (isolate) the
signal on a deselected (off) output.
OTPROM One-time-programmable read-only memory. Similar
to EPROM, but it comes in an unwindowed package
and cannot be erased.
p-channel FET A field-effect transistor with a p-type conducting
path.
p-type material Semiconductor material with introduced impurities
(doping) causing it to have an excess of positively
charged carriers.
PC Program counter.
PCCBs Programming chip configuration bytes, which are
loaded into the chip configuration registers (CCRs)
when the device is entering programming modes;
otherwise, the CCBs are used.
PIC Programmable interrupt controller. The module
responsible for handling interrupts that are to be
serviced by interrupt service routines that you
provide. Also called simply the interrupt controller.
prioritized interrupt Any maskable interrupt or nonmaskable NMI. Two of
the nonmaskable interrupts (unimplemented opcode
and software trap) are not prioritized; they vector
directly to the interrupt service routine when
executed.