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MIS 301 > Chapter 6 Moore's Law & More > Flashcards

Chapter 6 Moore's Law & More Flashcards

1
Q

What is Moore’s Law?

A

The observation that chip performance per dollar doubles every 18 months, leading to faster and cheaper computing

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2
Q

What are two ways computing has advanced beyond Moore’s Law’s predictions?

A

Improved chip design and offloading complex tasks to the cloud

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3
Q

Why did Apple abandon Intel’s x86 chips?

A

To design a new set of logic better suited for modern PCs, laptops, and phones

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4
Q

What is an emulator?

A

A software-based interpreter that allows programs designed for one system to run on another, though at slower speeds

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5
Q

What is a compiler?

A

A program that converts developer-written code into processor instructions.

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6
Q

What is the drawback of cloud-based AI processing like Siri?

A

Latency, as data must travel between the device and the cloud before responding

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7
Q

What is a microprocessor?

A

Executes instructions of a computer program (brains)

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8
Q

In regards to improving chip design, what is an issue we encounter?

A

the older software isn’t compatible with the instruction sets of the new chips (switching costs) — Apple made it easy by adding an emulator so Intel Macs could run on the new Apple silicon

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9
Q

What is Random Access Memory (RAM)?

A

Fast, chip-based volatile storage used to execute programs and files

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10
Q

What is volatile memory?

A

Storage that is wiped clean when power is lost (e.g., RAM)

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11
Q

What is non-volatile memory?

A

Storage that retains data when power is off (e.g., flash memory, hard drives, DVDs)

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12
Q

What is flash memory?

A

Nonvolatile, chip-based storage used in mobile devices and cameras

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13
Q

What are solid-state electronics?

A

Semiconductor-based devices that have no moving parts, making them more energy-efficient and reliable (e.g., RAM, flash memory, microprocessors)

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14
Q

What is an SSD (solid-state drive)?

A

A chip-based, nonvolatile hard drive alternative with no moving parts

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15
Q

What is a semiconductor?

A

A material (e.g., silicon dioxide) used in computer chips to control electricity flow

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16
Q

What is an optical fiber line?

A

A high-speed networking cable used in telecommunications.

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17
Q

How do computers express data?

A

As bits (1s and 0s)

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18
Q

How many bits are in a byte?

A

8 bits

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19
Q

Why is Moore’s Law slowing down?

A

Shrinking chip pathways increases heat and power demands, making further miniaturization challenging

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20
Q

What are fabs?

A

Semiconductor fabrication facilities that produce chips

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21
Q

What is a silicon wafer?

A

A thin circular slice of material used to create semiconductor devices

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22
Q

What is the primary challenge with shrinking silicon pathways?

A

Higher electron density generates excessive heat, requiring advanced cooling solutions

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23
Q

What is price elasticity?

A

The rate at which the demand for a product or service fluctuates with price change. Goods and services that are highly price elastic (e.g., most consumer electronics) see demand spike as prices drop, whereas goods and services that are less price elastic are less responsive to price change (think heart surgery)

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24
Q

Moore’s law is possible because the ____ between the _______ inside _____ chips get ______ with each successive generation

A

pathways, silicon, smaller

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25
What is a multicore microprocessor?
A processor with multiple cores working simultaneously, improving efficiency and reducing heat
26
Why are older software programs a challenge for multicore processors?
Many are written for single-core processors and do not efficiently utilize multiple cores
27
What are graphics processing units (GPUs) optimized for?
Specialized tasks like AI, image processing, and gaming
28
What are ASICs?
Application-specific integrated circuits, designed for specific tasks like AI and graphics
29
What are FPGAs?
Field-programmable gate arrays, chips that can be reprogrammed after manufacturing for optimized performance
30
How do 3D transistors extend Moore’s Law?
By stacking transistors vertically, reducing power consumption and increasing efficiency
31
What is RibbonFET technology?
A transistor design that wraps the gate on all four sides for better efficiency
32
What is a general-purpose microprocessor (CPU)?
A versatile processor found in PCs and smartphones, handling various tasks but using more power
33
What companies lead in CPU design?
Intel (PCs and servers) and ARM (smartphones)
34
What are the pros and cons of ASICs?
Pros: Fast and energy-efficient; Cons: Expensive and limited to specific tasks Players: Nvidia and AMD. Google has built its own AI-specific chip (the Tensor processing unit), but only the biggest firms with a specific need for a massive amount of such chips could justify the expense of doing this
35
What are the pros and cons of FPGAs?
Pros: upgradable, faster and efficient; Cons: Less optimized than ASICs Players: Intel-owned Altera, Xilinx. Microsoft uses FPGAs for Bing and other cloud tasks.
36
What is a supercomputer?
The fastest computer at the time of its creation, used for complex calculations
37
What are modern business applications of supercomputing?
AI training, aerospace, finance, and pharmaceuticals
38
What is High-Performance Computing (HPC)?
Computing that leverages massive processing power for complex tasks, often using parallel processing
39
What is cloud computing?
The delivery of computing resources (e.g., storage, processing) over the internet instead of local devices
40
How does cloud computing benefit businesses?
Provides scalable computing power, reduces hardware costs, and enables remote access No need to own expensive hardware. Accessible to startups, universities, and businesses. Example: Software as a Service (SaaS) allows firms to use cloud-based applications instead of running software in-house.
41
What is a potential downside of cloud computing?
Increased latency due to data transmission delays
42
What is parallel processing?
multiple microprocessors working together simultaneously
43
What are blade servers?
Vertical boards with processors, inserted into server racks
44
What is grid computing?
Uses idle computers across different locations. Example: Corporate grids using employee desktops at night. Benefits: Cost-effective alternative to supercomputers.
45
What is cluster computing?
Similar to grids but uses dedicated, tightly linked servers. Higher efficiency compared to grid computing
46
What is e-waste?
Discarded, often obsolete, electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, and televisions
47
Why is e-waste hazardous?
It contains toxic materials like cadmium, mercury, and lead, which can pollute the environment
48
What percentage of toxic heavy metals in waste comes from consumer electronics?
2/3 of toxic waste
49
How does 5G impact e-waste?
It accelerates e-waste production due to faster obsolescence of devices
50
Why have fires at recycling centers increased?
Due to improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries
51
What valuable metals are found in e-waste?
Silver, platinum, and copper
52
Which country processed 70% of the world’s e-waste until 2017?
China
53
What harmful practices are used in informal recycling?
Burning plastics and using acids, which release toxins.
54
What is the Basel Convention?
An agreement restricting hazardous waste exports, which the U.S. hasn’t signed
55
Why is new plastic production cheaper than recycling?
Due to cheap plastics from natural gas extraction
56
What happened when China banned foreign waste imports?
Recyclables lost value, and many municipalities now pay to remove them
57
What is a circular economy in electronics?
Designing products for easier repair, refurbishment, and recycling
58
How can AI and automation help recycling?
By improving sorting and recycling efficiency
59
How can RFID technology help e-waste management?
It tracks and sorts recyclable materials
60
MagicBand: Definition, Problem, Solutions, Benefits, Addressed Privacy Concerns
D: A wearable device for park entry, ride reservations, payments, and more P: Long lines, high ticket prices, and low return visits. S: streamlines entry, transactions, and ride reservations B: Increased customer spending, improved efficiency, and higher guest capacity C: anonymized and encrypted

MIS 301 (4 decks)

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