Multitasking （多任务）

 The execution of multiple software routines in pseudo-parallel. Each routine represents a separate "thread of execution" and is referred to as a task. The operating system is responsible for simulating parallelism by parceling out the processor"s time. 伪并行运行的多个软件程序。每一个程序表现得像分开的“执行的线程”并且被看作是一个任务。操作系统通过分配处理器时间来模拟并行方式。

 Mutex（互斥）

 A data structure for mutual exclusion, also known as a binary semaphore. A mutex is basically just a multitasking-aware binary flag that can be used to synchronize the activities of multiple tasks. As such, it can be used to protect critical sections of the code from interruption and shared resources from simultaneous use. 表现互斥现象的数据结构，也被当作二元信号灯。一个互斥基本上是一个多任务敏感的二元信号，它能用作同步多任务的行为，它常用作保护从中断来的临界段代码并且在共享同步使用的资源。

 mutual exclusion（互斥现象）

A guarantee of exclusive access to a shared resource. In embedded systems, the shared resource is typically a block of memory, a global variable, or a set of registers. Mutual exclusion can be achieved with the use of a semaphore or mutex. 唯一访问共享资源的保证。在嵌入式系统中，共享的资源典型的有内存块或寄存器组。互斥现象能由使用信号灯或互斥完成。

N NVRAM Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory. A type of RAM that retains its data even when the system is powered down. NVRAM frequently consists of an SRAM and a long-life battery. 非易失的随机访问存储器。一种能在系统关机的情况下保持它的数据的RAM。NVRAM常常由SRAM和长寿命电池组成。

O OTP See one-time programmable. object code（目标代码）

 A set of processor-readable opcodes and data. The output of compilers,assemblers, linkers, and locators are files containing object code. 处理器能读的操作码和数据。编译器、汇编器、连接器和定位器的输出文件都含有目标代码。

object file（目标文件）
 A file containing object code. The output of a compiler or assembler. 包含目标代码的文件。编译器或汇编器的输出。

Any programmable device, like a PROM, that can be programmed just once by the end user. However, this term is used almost exclusively to refer to microcontrollers with on-chip PROM. 任一可编程的设备，像PROM，仅仅能被最终用户编程一次。然而，这个术语一般被专有地使用在拥有片上PROM的微控制器上。

 operating system（操作系统） A piece of software that makes multitasking possible. An operating system typically consists of a set of function calls, or software interrupts, and a periodic clock tick. The operating system is responsible for deciding which task should be using the processor at a given time and for controlling access to shared resources. 使多任务能够实现的一个软件。一个操作系统典型地由一个函数调用集、软件中断和定期时钟周期组成。一个操作系统负责决定哪一个任务在给定的时间将使用处理器，并且控制对共享资源的访问。