arbiter
n.a person or thing that makes a final decision in a disagreement. In electronics, it is a device that chooses the best signal from two or more sources.
n.a person or entity authorized to settle disputes; in electronics, a device that selects the highest amplitude signal from multiple inputs.
“The arbiter decides which signal to use when there is a conflict.”
“In a high-speed digital circuit, the arbiter ensures that only one device can access the shared bus at a time.”
“The arbiter acts as a critical component in the arbitration process, resolving contention between competing signals by selecting the one with the highest priority or the strongest amplitude.”
From Middle English arbiter, arbytour, arbitre, from Old French arbitre, from Latin arbiter (“a witness, judge, literally one who goes to see”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.