Burst mode

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Burst Mode in Computing

In a computing environment, burst mode refers generically to any situation in which a device is transmitting data repeatedly without waiting for input from another device or waiting for an internal process to terminate before continuing the transfer of data.

The actual manner in which burst modes work varies from one type of device to another; but devices which have some sort of standard burst mode include:

RAM, including EDO, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and RDRAM (only the last three are required to send data in burst mode according to industry standards)
Hard disk drive interfaces such as SCSI and IDE
AGP graphics processors (debatable, write-combining is similar in purpose and meaning)

Burst Mode in Weaponry

Burst mode in a weapon (usually an assault rifle or automatic pistol) is a firing mode enabling the shooter to release a predetermined number of rounds (usually 2, 3 or 4) at a time with a single press of the trigger.

In U.S. assault rifles M4 carbine and M16A2, the burst mode replaced the full-auto mode which the older M16A1 had. The reason for the replacement was the massive waste of ammunition and very poor performance of soldiers who used the M16's full automatic fire in Vietnam War.

The number of rounds fired in a burst is almost universally determined by a cam mechanism that trips the trigger mechanism for each shot in the burst. Most, if not all designs will terminate the burst if the trigger is released before the burst is complete. Some designs will reset the cam position, so the next burst will fire a full number of rounds, while others, like that on the M16A2 rifle, will fire the remaining rounds in the interrupted burst and then stop.

Burst Mode in Neurons

Some types of nerve cells are able to respond to current input by emitting an all or non burst response. This burst usually consists of a short phase of repeated action potentials at a frequency of up to 350Hz. This is followed by a prolonged refractory period. In contrast, nerve cells that fire tonically respond with action potentials at a rate proportional to the input current.

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