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Computing > A451: Topic 2 - Hardware > Flashcards

A451: Topic 2 - Hardware Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of the CPU?

A
    • The purpose of the CPU is to…
  • Fetch and Execute instructions stored in memory.
  • Decodes and executes instructions.
  • Performs calculations.
  • Manages the movement of data etc, to and from peripheral devises.
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2
Q

Define the Fetch stage of the Fetch Execute cycle?

A

-Fetch/ CPU first fetches some data and instructions from main memory then store them in its own temporary internal memory areas or registers. The data and instructions travel down paths called ‘address bus’ and ‘data bus’

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3
Q

What is the clock speed?

A
  • This is the number of cycles that the CPU can complete in one second (measured in Hertz or Hz).
  • The faster the clock speed the faster the CPU 1MHz CPU can process 1 million instructions be second while 1GHz CPU can process 1000 million instructions in the same time.
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4
Q

What is the Cache size?

A

-This is the holding area for data from the RAM. It ensures the CPU is always busy with data. The large the cache size means more data can be held and it’s less likely that any cycles are wasted.

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5
Q

What does the number of cores mean?

A

-This is the number of processing cores the CPU has. A dual-core has two and is able to process two instructions simultaneously in the same cycle. A dual-core processor or quad-core processor is 2 to 4 times faster than a conventional chip as they can process simultaneous instructions.

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6
Q

What in the difference between RAM and ROM?

A

-ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off. For example, ROM stores the instructions for the computer to start up when it is turned on again. RAM is a fast temporary type of memory in which programs, applications and data are stored, because they are being used by the CPU. RAM is also volatile storage while ROM is not.

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7
Q

What is ROM?

A

-ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off. For example, ROM stores the instructions for the computer to start up when it is turned on again.

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8
Q

What is RAM?

A

-RAM is a fast temporary type of memory in which programs, applications and data are stored. Here are some examples of what’s stored in RAM, the operating system, applications, and the graphical user interface. If a computer loses power, all data stored in its RAM is lost.

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9
Q

What is RAM normally measured in?

A

-Gb.

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10
Q

What is ROM normally measured in?

A

-Kb.

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11
Q

How does the amount of RAM effect the speed of the computer?

A

-The more RAM available the more programs, applications and data the computer can store, that is at easy access to the CPU. This makes the computer faster and there is less need for virtual memory.

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12
Q

Why do we need ROM?

A

-ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a program or user. ROM retains its memory even after the computer is turned off. For example, ROM stores the instructions for the computer to start up when it is turned on again.

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13
Q

What is the purpose of RAM?

A

-RAM is a fast temporary type of memory in which programs, applications and data are stored. Here are some examples of what’s stored in RAM the operating system, applications, The GUI. If a computer loses power, all data stored in its RAM is lost.

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14
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

-Because of the size of the Ram it is not always possible to store all the running programs in the RAM at once and the computer will start running low of memory and begin to slow down. Virtual memory then comes in and stores the data that the RAM isn’t actively using on the hard drive to free up the RAM. When the CPU needs the data is is taken out of virtual memory on the hard drive and is put back on to the RAM.

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15
Q

what is cache memory?

A

-This is the holding area for data from the RAM. It ensures the CPU is always busy with data. A larger cache size means more data can be held and it’s less likely that any cycles are wasted.

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16
Q

What is Flash memory?

A

-Flash Memory is often referred to as solid-state storage, which means that there are no moving parts. It’s similar to RAM but is non-volatile which means when the power is cut off, it still remembers the content). Flash memory is used in USB memory sticks and memory cards for digital cameras and some games consoles.

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17
Q

Why is data represented as binary in computers?

A

-Computers use binary as it’s a lot simpler. Each CPU is made up of millions of transistors which can only have two states (ON/OFF). Anything can be converted into a binary number so a computer can understand, process and store it.

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18
Q

Why do we need input and output devices?

A
  • This is so that we can enter information into computers.

- In order to process data we must be able to capture it and convert it into digital representation.

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19
Q

Why do we need secondary storage?

A

-Secondary storage is needed for when we want to store files permanently or semi-permanently. We might want to transfer files between computers by using portable secondary storage media.

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20
Q

What are the three most common storage techniques?

A
  • Optical - codes data using microscopic dips on the surface of the disk.
  • Magnetic - Codes data using small changes in magnetic fields
  • Solid state - Uses non-volatile memory chips to store bis of data, expensive but very fast.
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21
Q

Arrange in order the terms of storage?

A
  • Bit, nibble(4 bits), Byte(8 bits), Kilobyte (1,024bytes), Megabyte (1,024kilobytes), etc.. gigabytes and terabytes.
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22
Q

NOT gate truth table?

A

-Input/Output
0/1
1/0

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23
Q

AND gate truth table?

A 
-Input/Input/Output
0/0/0
0/1/0
1/0/0
1/1/1
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24
Q

OR gate truth table?

A 
-Input/Input/Output 
0/0/0
0/1/1
1/0/1
1/1/1
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25
Q

How is a touch screen used to input information?

A

-Responds to figures / stylus on specified icons, for example a software keyboard converts handwriting to text.

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26
Q

How is a camera used to input information?

A

-Used to capture users images, used to capture user’s movement e.g. as input.

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27
Q

State to tasks that are carried out by the CPU?

A
  • Fetches instructions from memory.

- decodes instructions.

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28
Q

Explain how the clock speed of the CPU affects its performance?

A
  • The higher the clock speed the faster the CPU will run.

- Represents the number of fetch execute cycles/ instructions the CPU can process in a given time.

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29
Q

Explain how the cache size of a CPU affects its performance?

A
  • The more the cache the CPU has the less time is spent accessing memory/ programs run faster..
  • Cache is faster than memory/ built into CPU/ contains frequently accessed data.
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30
Q

What are the three main parts of the CPU?

A
  • Control unit.
  • Immediate access store.
  • Arithmetic and logic Unit.
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31
Q

What are the three main jobs of the control unit?

A
  • To control and monitor the hardware attached to the system, to make sure instructions are sent correctly.
  • It controls the input and output of data so that the signals are going to the right place at the right time.
  • It controls the flow of data within the CPU.
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32
Q

What does the immediate access store do?

A
  • This holds the data and programs needed at that instant by the control unit.
  • The CPU reads the data and programs kept on the backing storage and stores and temporarily in the immediate access store memory.
  • The CPU need to do this because backing storage to the hard disk is much too slow to be able to run applications directly.
33
Q

What is the arithmetic and logic unit?

A

-This is where the computer processes data either by manipulating it or acting upon it consists of two parts.

34
Q

What are the two parts in the arithmetic and logic unit?

A
  • Firstly, the arithmetic parts - which is exactly what you think it should - it performs the calculations on the data.
  • Secondly, the logic part - this deals with the logic and comparisons - for example it works out one value is greater less than equal to another.
35
Q

1 CPS is known as?

A

-1 Hertz.

36
Q

If the clock speed is higher…

A

-The computer will have faster performance that runs hotter and consumes more power.

37
Q

If the clock speed is lower…

A

-The computer will have a lower performance, it will consume less power, it’ll be less costly and is better for battery life on laptops.

38
Q

A computer running at 1 GHz can carry?

A
  • Can carry out 1000 Million instructions per second.
39
Q

What type of storage is RAM?

A
  • RAM is volatile storage.
40
Q

What is volatile storage?

A
  • This is storage that is wiped when the power is disconnected.
41
Q

What type of storage is read only memory?

A
  • This is nonvolatile storage so that the memory is retained when the power switched off.
42
Q

Examples of input devices?

A
  • Keyboard mouse touch pad joystick concept keyboard touchscreen scanner graphics tablet microphone. Web Cam bar-code reader optical mark reader barometric devices sensors.
43
Q

Examples of output devices?

A
  • Printer monitor screen speakers 3-D printer motor.
44
Q

Some storage technologies..

A
  • Optical ,magnetic , solid state, flash.
45
Q

How does optical storage work?

A
  • Coast data using microscopic dips on the surface of the disc.
46
Q

How does magnetic storage work?

A

-Codes data using small changes magnetic fields.

47
Q

How does solid-state memory work?

A

-Uses nonvolatile memory chips to store bits of data.

48
Q

How many bits are in a nibble?

A

-Four bits.

49
Q

How many bits are in a bytes?

A

-Eight bits.

50
Q

How many bytes are there in a kilobyte?

A

-1024 bytes.

51
Q

How many kilobytes in a megabyte?

A

-1024 kB.

52
Q

How many megabytes in a gigabytes?

A

-1024 MB.

53
Q

How many gigabytes in a terabyte?

A

-1024 GB.

54
Q

Why do we need secondary storage?

A

-We need secondary storage because we need to store files permanently. And also transfer files between computers.

55
Q

Properties of flash memory or devises?

A

-Solid-state storage direct access more expensive per bytes then hard disk expensive very portable very durable very reliable.

56
Q

Properties of magnetic storage?

A

-Slow access, very big ,fragile.

57
Q

Properties of optical storage?

A

-Easily damaged ,fairly portable ,cannot store a lot on it.

58
Q

Describe the Decode part of the Fetch execute cycle?

A

-Decode/ this is where the CPU makes sense of the instruction that the CPU has just fetched. The CPU decodes the instructions so that the data can be executed and it is then sent on.

59
Q

Describe the Execute part of the fetch execute cycle?

A

-Execute/ this is the part of the CPU where the processing takes place. Normally takes place in the ALU Arithmetic logic calculator. This is the calculator that carries out the instructions. The instruction is carried out upon the data. After this the data is then stored in another register.

60
Q

Different Extra I/O devices?

A
  • Specialized keyboards - These can include braille keyboards, keyboards with bigger keys, bright colors.
  • Foot operated mouse - Works in the same way as a normal mouse, operated with foot.
  • Sip-and-puff Switches - These are activated by the users breath, a puff is equivalent to a mouse click.
  • Braille printer - Impact printer that creates raised dots to represent each letter for blind people.
61
Q

Discuss how changes in memory technologies are leading to innovative computer designs?

A
  • Capacity and density - how much data can be stored in a certain amount of space.
  • Speed - How fast the data can be accessed.
  • Price - the amount of money and the product costs for the consumer to buy.
62
Q

What is a Boolean Expression?

A

-A condition in programming is made up of a Boolean Expressions that are either true or false.

63
Q

Define CPU?

A

The central processing unit that contains the processor, main memory and cache.

64
Q

Define Main memory/RAM?

A
  • Also known as Immediate Access Store and Primary Memory
  • The Memory is the CPU that is used to temporarily store programs while they are running and data used by these programs. The processor fetches instructions form main memory. Memory is made up of many addressable locations.
65
Q

Define Processor?

A

-The component in the computer that fetches, decodes and executes.

66
Q

Define Cache?

A

-High speed memory in the CPU that is used to store a copy of frequently used instructions or data. faster access speed than main memory. used to improve CPU performance.

67
Q

Define System Buses?

A

-The circuits/internal wiring that connect the processor and main memory together.

68
Q

Define Bootstrap loader?

A

-The first program that is loaded into main memory from ROM when a computer is switched on. This will load the operating system from secondary storage.

69
Q

Define Secondary memory?

A

-Long Term, non-volatile storage media such as hard disks, memory sticks, magnetic tapes & CDs.

70
Q

Define Truth table?

A

-A table that shows all the possible combinations of inputs and outputs and their logical output value.

71
Q

Define Logical operators?

A

-AND, OR, NOT gates.

72
Q

Define Logical Diagram?

A

-A diagram of a circuit showing logic gates with inputs and the output these generate.

73
Q

How can a button be used on a tablet to input information?

A

Hardware buttons
a small number around the edge of the table
for most common commands
eg bring up menu / next / previous / play / pause
etc…

74
Q

What is the name given to the small storage locations in the CPU?

A

Registers

75
Q

Which register holds the address of the next program to be executed?

A

Program counter.

76
Q

The …………. transmits the address of the next program to the executed to memory. They are returned via the …………. .

A

Address bus.

Data Bus.

77
Q

Describe the stages of the fetch-execute cycle, stating the components involved and their functions in the cycle. (6)

A
  • Program counter contains address of next instruction
  • Transmitted to the memory through the address bus
  • Instruction returned to the instruction register…
    …through the data bus
  • Decoder in the control unit works out what the instruction means/what has to be done
  • The ALU executes/carries out the instruction.
78
Q

Explain how eye gaze devices can be used to operate a computer and enter data.

A
  • Infra-red light reflected by the cornea and retina is detected by highly sensitive cameras.
  • They use this to determine what the user is focusing on – the ‘gaze point’.
  • This can be used to move the on-screen cursor.
  • To issue commands, the user must look at a particular
    icon on the screen for a certain length of time.

Computing (15 decks)

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