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A-Level computer science > 1.1- Processor characteristics, Input/Output and Storage devices > Flashcards

1.1- Processor characteristics, Input/Output and Storage devices Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a heatsink?

A

The CPU’s own dedicated fan that serves the sole purpose of keeping it cool.

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2
Q

What is the CPU?

A

The circuitry/ hardware that controls the manipulation / processing of data

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3
Q

What is the ALU

A

The dedicated register that performs the arithmetic, logical, and shift operations on the data

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4
Q

What is the CU?

A

The dedicated register coordinating the activities of the CPU via control signals

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5
Q

What is a register?

A

Quick, small stores of data within the CPU

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6
Q

What is Von Neumann Architecture?

A

The Von Neumann architecture used the idea of storing program instructions and data in main memory and moving them between memory and the processor

It breaks computer systems down into 3 major components:

Main Memory
CPU
Input/output

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7
Q

Explain the role of the memory characteristic in the Von Neumann Architecture model

A

Instructions to be executed are stored in the memory (alongside the data) as binary values

This is the Stored Program Concept

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8
Q

What model contrasts with Von Neumann architecture?

A

The Harvard Model

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9
Q

What are the features of the Harvard model?

A

Harvard architecture keeps instructions and data in separate memories.
The processor accesses these memories using separate data and address buses

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10
Q

Where is the Harvard model usually featured?

A

In embedded systems and microcontroller devices

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11
Q

Explain the role of the CPU characteristic in the Von Neumann Architecture model

A

Instructions are executed sequentially

Meaning one Instruction at a time is fetched from Memory and passed to the CPU

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12
Q

What is the role of a system clock in a computer?

A

It provides a series of (on/off) timing signals to synchronise the operations of processor components (circuits)

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13
Q

How does clock speed work?

A

CPUs are designed to operate at a specific frequency

The system clock is raised to this rate by the processor

This provides the clock speed (Hz)

The CPU needs a certain amount of clock cycles per instruction

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14
Q

What factors effect CPU performance?

A

Instruction pipelining
Number of cores
Cache size
Clock speed

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15
Q

What is instruction pipelining?

A

It allows a processor to execute multiple instructions simultaneously by breaking them down into smaller

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16
Q

What is a prerequisite for pipelining?

A

In order to apply pipelining to a task, that task needs to be able to be broken down into subtasks that can be handled independently.

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17
Q

Why might some systems prefer a Harvard Architecture system?

A

Both memories can be accessed simultaneously. This minimises the issue of keeping the processor waiting while loading or saving data into memory

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18
Q

Why might some systems prefer a Von Neumann Architecture system?

A

It enables a more flexible use of the main memory, which allows the processor to run a variety of programs that are not known in advance.

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19
Q

What are CISC and RISC?

A

RISC and CISC are types of processors with different instruction set architectures (ISAs).

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20
Q

What is a feature of RISCs?

A

Their instruction set consists of simple commands designed to take the same time to execute:

one instruction is carried out per system clock cycle.

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21
Q

What is a feature of CISCs?

A

Designed to execute complex instructions so…

Instructions can take several clock cycles to be executed

22
Q

What are GPUs

A

GPUs are processors designed for parallel processing, which can improve the performance of video- or graphic-intensive applications.

23
Q

What is an advantage of a GPU?

A

It frees up the main processor to handle other tasks. Graphics cards contain their own sets of RAM as well as a processor.

24
Q

How do you choose an appropriate method for data input?

A

Cost
Speed
Accuracy
Reliability

25
Q

What is biometric spoofing?

A

Biometric spoofing is a term used to describe a method of fooling biometric scanners

26
Q

What’s a biometric?

A

A biometric is a physical characteristic such as fingerprints

27
Q

What are sensors

A

There is a wide range of control systems in which sensors act as analogue inputs.

The analogue signal is converted to digital form (for processing) by an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

28
Q

What does RFID stand for?

A

radio frequency identification

29
Q

What does RFID do?

A

Allows data to be transmitted wirelessly over radio waves.

30
Q

What are the three main types of storage

A

Optical
Solid State
Magnetic

31
Q

Define secondary storage.

A

Secondary storage is storage that provides persistent (permanent) storage for data files

It’s non volatile which means
that it stays after being turned off

32
Q

What are the typical capacities of secondary storage?

A

Magnetic hard disk 1TB Max.

Solid-state disk 256GB

CD is 700MB

33
Q

How do Hard disks read/write data?

A

Concentric tracks are created on a HDD

Disk spins at high speed (up to 7200rpm)

Spinning platters are read by drive heads

Data is read/written as a sector moves under the head

34
Q

Why does fragmentation occur?

A

Fragmentation occurs when there is insufficient contiguous space to store the file.

35
Q

What is an SSD?

A

An SSD is an electronic device that uses flash memory, and has no moving parts.

36
Q

What are features of optical storage?

A

It is read-only, recordable and rewritable

37
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

Part of the hard drive used as an extension to the RAM

38
Q

What are actuators?

A

Motors that are used in conjunction with sensors to control a mechanism

39
Q

What’s a barcode?

A

A barcode is a means of representing data in a machine-readable form.

Traditional barcodes represent data by using a set of parallel lines of varied width and spacing.

40
Q

How do QR scanners work?

A

QR code scanners do not use lasers; the codes are captured and read by taking an image of the QR code

41
Q

What is the most common type of barcode readers?

A

Laser scanner

42
Q

What are the two different types of display devices?

A

LCD displays

LED displays

OLED screens

43
Q

What are the most common displays?

A

LCD

44
Q

What are the benefits of LED displays?

A

LED technology uses less power than LCD

It is cheaper and more environmentally friendly to run LED displays.

45
Q

What are the advantages of OLEDs?

A

OLEDs do not require a backlight, but are instead activated using an electric current.

They use a thin film of transparent plastic for the screen- brighter and more flexible

46
Q

What are the 3 printer types?

A

Inkjet

Laser

Dot matrix

47
Q

What are inkjet printers?

A

Non-impact printers that use liquid ink to produce black-and-white or colour prints

48
Q

Features of inkjet printers

A

low upfront cost

superior colour production and paper handling capabilities.

49
Q

Features of laser printers

A

They print a whole page at a time, so are usually faster than inkjet printers.

Uses powdered ink that is cheaper than liquid ink, and lasts longer.

Quality is poor for photo-quality images

50
Q

What does the width of the address bus determine?

A

The number of bits that can be used to form an address of a memory location.

if the width is n

Then there are 2^n locations accessible for the processor

A-Level computer science (5 decks)

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