3 - hardware Flashcards
primary memory
can be accessed directly from the CPU
RAM
Random Access memory
- can be written to and read from
- stores files/ data currently in use
- volatile (memory contents are lost powering off the comp)
- can increase size to improve operational speed
ROM
- non volatile
- permanent memory (can’t change contents)
- stores data the comp uses when powering up (BIOS/ bootstrap)
DRAM
dynamic RAM
- capacitors hold the bits of information
- transistors act like switches and allow chip to control circuit to read/ write the capacitor
- needs to be refreshed constantly - if not charge will leak away leaving it with 0
+ cheaper
+ consume less power
+ higher memory capacity
used by main memory
SRAM
uses flip flops which hold each bit
+ doesn’t need to be refresehd
+ faster
- if accessed at a high freq power usage can exceed a DRAM
memory cache generally uses SRAM for this reason
PROM - Programmable ROM
- can be altered once
- made of a matrix of fuses
- uses electric current - burns fuses to alter specific cells
eg mobile phones, RFID tags
EPROM - Erasable Programmable ROM
- use floating gate transistors and capacitors not fuses
- UV light programs it through a quartz window
eg new games consoles, apps under development
EEPROM -electrically erasable programmable ROM
- electrical signal can be used to remove existing data
+ chip can remain in the circuit while contents are changed
buffers
- ## temporary storage for data transmitted from one part of the system to another which functions as a queue
embedded systems +
+ small so easy to fit
+ low cost
+ dedicated to one task - simple interface - no OS
+ consume little power
+ very fast reaction to changing input
+ mass production so reliable
embedded systems -
- difficult to upgrade devices - with new tech
- fixing it is specialist
- interface can be simple but in reality it can be confusing
- open to hackers and viruses
- due to difficulty in upgrading and fixing devices are throw away - wasted
embedded system
A computer system with one dedicated task ( no multitasking)
hard for the user to update
built in hardware and software
magnetic storage - HDD
- has platters - that spin
- has read/write arm
- data stored on surface in sectors and tracks
- magnetic field determines binary value
latency
time it takes for a specific block of data on a data track to rotate around to the read-write head
removable hard disk drives
are HDDs that are external to the comp and can be connected to the comp using a USB port
magnetic storage +/-
+ large storage
+ cheap
+ fast read/write
- lots of parts
- not durable
- sealed unit ( cant fix easily)
- not portable
solid state storage - SSD
- sends current which forces electrons through a barrier
- and traps them in floating gates
- binary data is stored by the held electrons
(flash memory)
SSD +/-
+ reliable - no moving parts
+ lighter
+ less power consumption
+ run cooler than HDDs
+ access data faster
- expensive
- unknown longevity
optical storage - CD DVD
- is a disk - with a spiral track
- binary represtented using pits/lands
- laser shines on - pits reflect light differently to determine binary value (read)
- laser makes indents on disk (write)