burst

burst

A brief flux of intense radiation with a sudden onset and rapid decay, as is observed from Jupiter and from the Sun at radio wavelengths. Solar radio bursts are associated with flares. See also gamma-ray bursts; X-ray burst sources.

Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006

burst

[bərst]

(communications)

A sudden increase in the strength of a signal being received from beyond line-of-sight range.

A group of bits of characters that are transmitted together as a unit.

A group of errors that occur together in a communication and alter its content.

color burst

(computer science)

To separate a continuous roll of paper into stacks of individual sheets by means of a burster.

The transfer of a collection of records in a storage device, leaving an interval in which data for other requirements can be obtained from or entered into the device.

A sequence of signals regarded as a unit in data transmission.

(electronics)

An exceptionally large electric pulse in the circuit of an ionization chamber due to the simultaneous arrival of several ionizing particles.

A radar term for a single pulse of radio energy.

(ordnance)

Continuous fire from an automatic weapon, as from an aircraft machine gun, sometimes described as a long or short burst.

The explosion of a projectile, bomb, or similar munition.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.