Basic building block used in a Visual Programming Language (VPL) application. The activity block can refer to a function such as calculate, or it can point to another service.

Portion of a robot that is used to perform movement or accomplish a goal. For example, a robot’s wheel is an actuator because it moves the robot. Additionally, a speaker would qualify as an actuator because it produces output.

Device used to measure signals of varying strength, such as an audio signal.

Considered an efficient means of processing multiple operations in parallel.

Device used to receive a Bluetooth wireless connection. This type of connection is often used by robots to facilitate controlling the robot remotely.

Used to describe an object file that can store large amounts of unstructured data in a database management system.

.NET library designed to reduce the amount of work involved in asynchronous programming. The CCR forms the base of the MSRS runtime engine.

Defines how a service can be used. It is used by other services, and HTML associated with the contract must be unique.

Lightweight, service-oriented runtime that sits on top of the CCR to form the MSRS runtime. The DSS combines Representational State Transfer (REST) principles with the architecture used to design Web services to deliver a powerful and flexible decentralized solution.

Standard protocol designed by Henrik Nielsen and George Chrysanthakopoulos. The SOAP-based protocol extends upon the capabilities of standard HTTP operations to include support for subscriptions and event notifications.

Process of creating a .NET object based on the data obtained from a SOAP message.

Used to identify a drive system that accepts alternating power levels to steer two wheels in any direction.

Conventional motor that is powered by a Direct Current and commonly found in robotics and toys.

Hardware Abstraction layer that is used to produce extensive visual three-dimensional effects. MSRS supports DirectX 9.

The DSS proxy file is generated when the service is compiled and the assembly produced is used to represent a service.

Used to reference an external assembly; the DLL file contains a .dll file extension.

The entity can represent any object within a simulation scene. This can include things such as the sky, the ground, or another robot.

Designed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), this standard represents a simple and flexible text-based format used to represent data.

For MSRS, the XSLT file is used to receive XML from a service and format the results as HTML or a text document, which can then be rendered in a Web browser.

Used to identify an object’s location relative to feedback obtained from a satellite. The receiver can be used on a robot to precisely identify its location along a planned route.

Communication protocol used to return formatted HTML that is displayed on a Web page.

Device used to receive infrared signals, which can then be used to remotely control a robot.

Version of the Python scripting language that Microsoft provides with the .NET Framework. MSRS developers may use the extensible and object-oriented language in their MSRS applications.

Semiconductor diode that emits a light. Robots typically use a red or green LED to indicate something has taken place.

Brick-shaped object that contains the processor used by the LEGO NXT robot. It includes physical ports for each of the sensors included with the NXT.

XML-based file that includes a list of services to be started. This is used by a robotics application to load any partner services.

The core object in an MSRS application is a service. One or more Web-based services can be combined to form a single application. Each service will expose state, which is used to define the service. The service can be thought of as an active document that exposes information.

Represents a service that is tied to another service. This is done to expose the state of one service and establish a relationship between services.

For MSRS, the port represents a way for services to communicate with each other. Messages are sent back and forth through the port.

Introduced by Roy Fielding, REST encompasses a set of principles used to define the technologies for the World Wide Web. The REST architecture was incorporated into the design of the MSRS runtime.

Used to gather input about a robot’s environment. For example, a contact sensor is used to determine when the robot has encountered an object. Most robots use at least one sensor to gather information.

Process of representing a .NET object as a stream of bytes. This is typically done to produce a SOAP message.

Motor in which the entire system is contained within a small plastic block.

Designed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), this transport protocol provides a standard way to send messages between applications using XML.

Used to represent a service, the service can expose one or more items through the state. The state represents the service at the time the service is requested.

An assembly that acts as a bridge between the service and the proxy assembly by providing a mapping between the service and the proxy.

Standard protocol used to transport data efficiently across a network.

Graphical language tool that is provided with MSRS. VPL allows developers to build simple or complex robotics applications by dragging and dropping blocks onto a design surface.

Rendering tool available in MSRS that allows you to modify simulation scenario scenes and execute simulations. VSE is powered by the AGEIA PhysX engine, which allows it to render advanced physics graphics.

Designed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), this standard represents a simple and flexible text-based format used to represent data.

XNA, which is not acronymed, is a layer that sits on top of DirectX to allow for three-dimensional rendering. This is used by the simulation environment in MSRS.

For MSRS, the XSLT file is used to receive XML from a service and format the results as HTML or a text document, which can then be rendered in a Web browser.

This independent standards body is responsible for creating and publishing standards used to operate the World Wide Web.