h parameters: An early mathematical method for representing transistor action. Still used on data sheets.

Ground loop: If you use more than one ground point in a multistage amplifier, the resistance between the ground points will produce small unwanted feedback voltages. This is a ground loop. It can cause unwanted oscillations in some amplifiers.

go/no-go test: A test or measurement where the readings are distinctly different, really high or really low.

Germanium: One of the first semiconductor materials to be used. Like silicon, it has four valence electrons.

Gate-source cutoff voltage: The voltage between the gate and the source that reduces the drain current of a depletion-mode device to approximately zero.

Gate: The terminal of a field-effect transistor that controls drain current. Also, the terminal of a thyristor used to turn on the device.

Full-wave rectifier: A rectifier with a center-tapped secondary winding and two diodes that act as back-to-back half-wave rectifiers. One diode supplies one-half of the output, and the other diode supplies the other half. The output is a full-wave rectified voltage.

Frequency Scaling Factor (FSF): The formula used to scale pole frequencies in direct proportion; cutoff frequency divided by I kHz.

Frequency Response: The graph of voltage gain versus frequency for an amplifier.

Free electron or Conduction-band electron: One that is loosely held by an atom. Also known as a conduction-band electron because it travels in a large orbit, equivalent to a high energy level.

Forward bias: Applying an external voltage to overcome the barrier potential.

Foldback Current Limiting: Simple current limiting allows the load current to reach a maximum value while the load voltage is reduced to zero. Foldback current limiting takes this one step further. It allows the current to reach a maximum value. Then further decreases in the load resistance reduce both the load current and the load voltage. The main advantage of foldback limiting is less power dissipation in the pass transistor under shorted-load conditions.

FM demodulator: A phase-locked loop (PLL) used as a circuit that recovers the modulating signal from the FM wave.

Floating Load: This is a load that has nonzero node voltages on each end. You can spot it on a schematic diagram by the fact that neither end of the load is grounded.