Glossary | Common Compustar Terms

Glossary Terms

Here are the most popular terms and their definitions below. Click on the letter below to jump to the first term of that category.

Y & Z

1 WAY	1 WAY is a term used for communication purpose, meaning this will only send information.
2 WAY	2 WAY is a term used for communication purpose, meaning this will send and receive information.
AC	(Alternating Current) Energy that alternates back and forth at a certain frequency. The frequency is measured in hertz. In automobiles, AC is produced by the alternator and then rectified to DC.
ACCESSORY (position)	Refers to the position of the key in the ignition switch; A wire showing 12 Volts (+) when in this position.
AMPERAGE	A unit of electrical current; the force through which the energy is pushed through a conductor. Measured in Amps.
AMPERE	The unit of measurement used to determine the quantity of electricity flowing through a circuit. One ampere flows through a 1 Ohm resistance when a potential 1 volt is applied.
ANTENNA	A mechanical device, such as a rod or wire, that picks up a received signal or radiates a transmitted signal.
ANTI-GRIND	This is a feature that enables a relay upon remote start, which will prevent the user from "grinding" the starter before takeover. Another word for grinding is to over crank.
ARM	The term used to describe the act of causing a security system to reach a state in which it will protect the vehicle.
ARMING DELAY	A term used to describe the elapsed time between the moment a security system is first told to arm and the moment it is actually armed. This normally applies only to systems that are passively armed, but it can apply to actively armed systems as well.
AUXILIARY	Additional inputs and outputs that can be controlled to trigger a relay.
BACK-UP BATTERY	A separate battery added to the security system as an alternate power supply to serve as a backup in case the vehicle's main battery is disable by a thief. Back-up batteries are typically composed of a carbon compound instead of a normal copper.
BANDWIDTH	Refers to the "space" in the frequency response of a device though which audio signals can pass (between lower and upper frequency limits, those points where the signal level has rolled off 3 DB).
BATTERY BACKUP SIREN	A battery backup siren provides additional protection for your vehicle. If the power is cut to the main system, the battery on the siren takes over until power is lost or the key is turned. The siren has both negative and positive siren triggers
BLADE	Fully integrated cartridge style bypass.
BRAIN	The common term used to refer to the main control unit of a security system. (See Control Unit)
BYPASS MODULE	An aftermarket module manufactured by various companies to bypass the factory security system in most makes and models in order to successfully operate a vehicle without triggering the factory alarm. Commonly used for aftermarket products such as Remote Starters and Alarm systems. *Exceptions for some navigation units that require CAN-BUS vehicle speed sense.
CAN-BUS	Controller Area Network (CAN or CAN-bus) is a computer network protocol and bus standard designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other and without a host computer. It was designed specifically for automotive applications but is now also used in other areas. CAN is also supported in the Linux Kernel since the 2.6.25 version. CAN-bus was originally developed in 1988 by Intel Corporation and Robert Bosch GmbH
CHIRP	The term used to describe the brief sounding of a security system's siren designed to indicate the state of arm of the system.
CIRCUIT	A closed path through which current flows from a power source, through various components, and back to the power source.
CLOSED LOOP	A feedback path in a self-regulating control system. Unlike a standard open state trigger that needs to have a connection established to serve as a trigger, a closed loop trigger will act to trigger a security system when its loop (connection) is broken.
COMPUSHOCK	CompuShock is included with all Alarm and Alarm/Starter combo units. The CompuShock is designed to protect your vehicle form unwanted impact. The CompuStar and CompuShock provide either a warn away or full alarm trigger depending on severity of impact. It is equipped with an adjustable sensitivity dial from 0 to 10, zero being off and 10 being most sensitive.
CONSTANT OUTPUT	An output of a security system that provides a constant or continuous output to drive a device. Often used for sirens and engine interrupts.
CONTROL UNIT	The central processor for a security system.
CURRENT	The rate of electrical or electron flow through a conductor between objects of opposite charge. Measured in amperes or amps
DC	(Direct Current) A flow of electrons that travels only in one direction.
DIODE	A two-electrode (two-terminal) device that allows a voltage/signal to pass through it in one direction only.
DISARM	The opposite of arm, or the term used to describe the action of placing a security system in an inactive or standby mode.
DOME LIGHT	The common term used to describe the overhead (or headliner) mounted interior courtesy light.
DPDT	Double Pole Double Throw. A term use to describe a relay that has two separate poles or contact and can throw or make electrical contact with two separate stationary contacts.
DRIVE LOCK	Is a feature that will lock the doors when you put the shifter into gear while a key is turned to the "ON" position, or at a specific RPM. Also known as Ignition Controlled Door Locks.
FCC	Federal Communications Commission. The U.S government agency that oversees and regulates electronic communications.
FLASHING LIGHTS	A term used to describe the interfacing of the vehicle's parking lights, dome light, emergency lights, etc., with a security system so that the lights flash by the system.
FREQUENCY	The term in physics that refers to a number of vibrations or cycles that occur within a given time.
FREQUENCY MODULATION	(FM) A method of modulation in which the frequency of the carrier voltage is varied with frequency of the modulating voltage. Also see Amplitude Modulation.
FUSE	A device designed to provide protection for a given circuit or device by physically opening the circuit. Fuses are rated by their amperage and are designed to blow or open when the current being drawn through it exceeds its design rating.
GLASS SENSOR	A device designed to detect the sound of breaking glass or metal to-glass contact, thus triggering a security system. Also called sound sensors, glass-breakage sensors, or sound discriminators.
GLOW PLUG	A heating element in a diesel-engine cylinder to preheat the air and facilitate starting
GROUND	The term given to anything that has an electrical potential of zero. Most nicer vehicles are designed around a negative ground system, with the metal frame being the vehicle's ground.
HARNESS	The universal name for a bundle or loom of wires that compose the wiring for a system.
HORN	Refers to the built-in factory horn in the vehicle, Factory horns can be of the diaphragm type, voice coil type, or air-pump driven type (air horn). All types of horns can be interfaced to a security system.
IGNITION KILL	A device designed to prevent the vehicle's ignition circuit from operating. An ignition kill device can work by either interrupting one or both of the primary wires leading to the ignition coil or by shorting out (grounding) the ignition coil's positive primary wire. Also called Ignition Disable.
IGNITION POWER	Refers to a source of power in the vehicle, controlled by the ignition switch, that has +12VDC on it when the ignition key is not in the run and start position.
INPUT	Any wire on a security system designed to accept a signal from some outside source such as the vehicle's wiring. Door trigger, hood trigger, truck trigger, and sensor trigger wires are all inputs.
INSTANT TRIGGER	The term used to describe any trigger input on a security system that is designated to cause the system to respond instantly when triggered.
JUMPERS	Jumpers are commonly used to change polarity or behavior of selected outputs on a controller.
LCD	Liquid Crystal Display. A type of digital display made of a material that changes reflectance or transmittance when an electrical field is applied to it.
LEDS	Light Emitting Diodes. A firm of diode that sheds light. Used in many systems for indictor purposes.
MECP	Mobile Electronics Certification Program
MILLIAMPS	A unit of measurement of electrical current equal to 1/1000th of an ampere. The milliampere is the most common unit used when measuring quiescent (minor) current drain.
MODULAR DESIGN	Firstech came out with unique controllers that has "forward and backward capabilities". Meaning that you can program any remote and antenna to a brain, moving forward or backward to a short range 1way or a long range 2way remote.
MODULE	A term commonly used to describe a self-contained part or device that can perform a specific function.
MOTION SENSOR	A sensor specifically designed to detect a gentle or sharp up-and-down or side-to-side motion of the vehicle.
OPTIONAL SENSOR INPUT / OUTPUT	Any wire on a security system designed to produce a signal intended to be wired to some outside circuit or device. Siren wires, flashing light wires, and door locks are all outputs.
P.O.C	Programmable Output Connector. These are changeable and programmable outputs for an installers convenience.
PAGER	A device designed to transmit a signal to the owner of a vehicle in order to alert him or her that the alarm has been triggered.
PAIN GENERATOR	A name given to a type of siren that is specifically designed to produce a sound of the proper volume and pitch so as to cause physical pain to a thief's ears.
PANIC	The name given to the feature of a security system that provides the ability to the operator to cause the system's siren to sound at will. The panic feature is typically initiated either by pressing a button or buttons on the remote control transmitter by keypad command, by push button, or by toggle switch.
PASSIVE ARMING	The ability of some security systems to arm without requiring any direct action from the operator of the vehicle. Passive arming is usually accomplished when the operator exits the vehicle in the normal fashion.
POLARITY	In electricity, refers to the condition of being either positive and negative.
POWER	The amount of energy (in joules) that a device delivers or consumes divided by the time (in seconds) that the device is operating.
RANGE	The term used to qualify the maximum operating distance the can exist between a vehicle and the remote control transmitter. Range is usually expressed in feet or yards.
RECEIVER	A device designed to receive a signal or command from a source such as a transmitter.
RELAY	An electromagnet switch that allows small, relatively low-level signals to operate higher amperage devices. Also used when polarity reversal is necessary.
REMOTE	A common name for the remote control unit transmitter used with a remote security system.
REMOTE START	The feature of a security system or accessory module allows the vehicle operator to start the engine using a remote transmitter without actually being inside the vehicle.
RESERVATION	Reservation is a manual transmission remote start function. It is a procedure to insure that the vehicle's in neutral position before remote start.
RF	Remote Frequency. An AC frequency that is higher than the highest audio frequency.
RPS	Remote Paging Sensor aka Car Call. The Remote Paging Sensor is compatible with all 2 Way Alarm and Alarm/Starter units. The RPS contains a blue LED that flashes while the system is armed. The system will also respond to a single knock that pages the 2 Way remote and lets the user know someone is trying to reach them at their vehicle.
RPS II	Remote Paging Sensor II aka Car Call. RPS II is compatible with Firstech's 4th generation controllers or higher (alarm/alarm starter controllers only). The RPS contains a blue LED that flashes while the system is armed. The system will also respond to a double knock that pages the 2 Way remote and lets the user know someone is trying to reach them at their vehicle. The RPS Pro also includes a knock unlock feature. You can program a 4 digit knock unlock that can disarm your system without a remote and key.
RS232	Standard for serial binary data signals connecting between a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) and a DCE (Data Circuit-terminating Equipment). It is commonly used in computer serial ports. (Data to Data port)
SECURE VALET SWITCH	The Secure Valet Switch is compatible with Firstech's 4th generation controllers or higher (alarm, starter and alarm/starter units). The Secure Valet Switch contains a blue LED that also flashes while the system is armed. The Secure Valet Switch gives you the ability to enter a 2 digit code to put your system into valet mode.
SENSOR	A device designed to detect or sense an intrusion or attack upon a vehicle by monitoring such things as motion, vibration, impact, sound, or the presence of a foreign mass.
SHOCK SENSOR	A sensor that is specifically designed to detect a shock or impact applied to the vehicle.
SIREN	Any kind of device, mechanical or electronic, that is designed to produce a loud warning sound when triggered by a security system.
SLAVE START	Optional input on a controller that accepts a number of pulses (positive or negative polarity) to trigger remote start.
SPDT	Single Pole Double Throw, A relay that has only one pole or contact and can only throw or make electrical contact with one stationary contract.
SPREAD SPECTRUM	Wireless communication technology (such as CDMA or TDMA) that receives and transmits carrier signals over a wide band (spectrum) of frequencies (channels). Spread spectrum methods require greater bandwidth than the minimum needed for signal transfer. Also called frequency hopping.
STARTER DISABLE	Any circuit or device used alone or in conjunction with a security system that is designed to prevent the vehicle's starter from operating.
STATUS	The state a system is in at any given time.
SWITCH	A switch is any form of mechanical, electronic, electromechanical, magnetic, or mercury device that either opens or closes a circuit.
TACH	Tach is commonly used in our industry to describe a type of engine sensing. It is a source of measurement that is needed for an auto start installation.
TAKEOVER	This is a term best described when you disengage the remote starter by pressing the foot brake after the key is place to the "ON" position.
THERMISTOR	The Thermistor is used to read temperature inside the vehicle on the CompuStar Pro Series. The Thermistor is intended for 2 Way remote systems that show the temperature (Celsius or Fahrenheit) readout on the LCD screen. This can also be used with remote start systems with 1 Way remotes. You can set temperature thresholds and have it start when it hits the setting. With the Thermistor you can check the temperature inside your vehicle and even set you vehicle to remote start when it passes the temperature threshold set by your installer.
TRANSMITTER	The name given to the hand-held remote control unit used by a vehicle operator to arm/disarm and perform accessory functions on a vehicle security system. More commonly called a remote.
TRIGGER	The common name for any type of stimulus that will cause a security system to produce an alarm. A trigger could come from a pin switch a sensor, or a direct command from a transmitter or accessory button.
TRUNK RELEASE	The ability of a system to release the latch of the trunk/hatch by remote control.
TURBO TIMER	Is a feature designed to keep an automotive engine running for a pre-specified period of time in order to automatically execute the cool-down period required to prevent premature turbo wear and failure.
VALET	A word used to describe the state in which a security system may be placed in which it would be prevented from arming passively and/or actively.
VALET SWITCH	The switch designed to provide the control to place the security system into or bring the system out of the valet state.
VOLT	The term used to refer to the property of electrical pressure through a circuit.
VOLTAGE	The electrical pressure produced to do work.
VOLTAGE SENSING	A name given to a form of alarm system trigger that relies on sensing a change in voltage of the vehicle.
WINDOW ROLL-UP	The term used for the feature that causes the window(s) on a vehicle to close upon arming, or open and close as a part of a convenience feature of a security system.