Computer Systems: Chapter 3 (Peripherals) Flashcards
What is an Interface?
An Interface is the hardware and associated software needed to allow communication between the processor and its peripheral devices.
What are the functions of an Interface? (5)
- Buffering
- Data Format conversion
- Voltage conversion
- Protocol conversion
- Handling of Status signals
What is Buffering?
Buffering involves holding data temporarily while it is in transit between the processor and the peripheral
What is Data Format conversion?
Data Format conversion involves changing the data received from the peripheral into a form that the processor can understand and vice versa, for example serial to parallel
What Voltage conversion?
Voltage conversion is required when a peripheral operates using a different voltage from that used by the processor and its associated components on the motherboard
What is Protocol conversion?
Protocol conversion is required when a peripheral operates using a different protocol from that used by the processor and its associated components on the motherboard
What is ‘Handling of Status Signals’?
Status signals show whether or not a peripheral device is ready to communicate
What is Serial Data Transmission?
Serial Data transmission sends the bits for each character in the data one after another along the same data line
What is Parallel Data Transmission?
Parallel Data transmission sends each bit which makes up a character simultaneously along separate data lines
What is an advantage of using a Buffer?
Using a buffer helps the system compensate for the differences in operating speeds between the CPU and its peripherals
What is an advantage of using a Spooler?
A spooler uses fast backing storage, which will speed up performance
What is a Solid State storage device?
It is a storage device that contains no moving parts
What are 2 examples of SSD’s?
- Flash Cards (Flash RAM & Flash ROM)
* USB Flash memory (USB 1 & USB 2)
What are the advantages of using SSD’s? (2)
- SSD’s are small
* SSD’s use less power than hard disk drives
What is a disadvantage of using SSD’s?
SSD’s are expensive
What are the development trends in Backing storage devices? (4)
- Increased capacity
- Increased read and write speeds
- Reduced physical size
- Lower cost per unit of storage
What hardware would you use for creating a multimedia catalog? (2)
- Digital Still Camera
* Graphics Tablet
What hardware would you use for setting up a LAN in a school? (2)
- Switches/Hubs
* Network Interface Cards
What hardware would you use for developing a school website? (2)
- Digital Still Camera
* Web Server
What are 2 developments in interfaces?
- Increase the speed at which the interface allows the peripheral and computer to communicate
- Allow wireless communication between the peripherals and the CPU
What is a Buffer?
A Buffer provides temporary storage of data, and can be used in RAM in a printer
What is a Spooler?
A Spooler is a program which saves data temporarily to fast backing storage before sending it to a peripheral
Why are SSD’s used on small devices such as cameras? (2)
They have no moving parts, so are small and robust.
State 2 ‘Status signals’
- Ready to transfer
* Finished transfer
