Computer Systems: Chapter 3 (Peripherals)

Question 1

What is an Interface?

Answer 1

An Interface is the hardware and associated software needed to allow communication between the processor and its peripheral devices.

Question 2

What are the functions of an Interface? (5)

Answer 2

• Buffering
• Data Format conversion
• Voltage conversion
• Protocol conversion
• Handling of Status signals

Question 3

What is Buffering?

Answer 3

Buffering involves holding data temporarily while it is in transit between the processor and the peripheral

Question 4

What is Data Format conversion?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What Voltage conversion?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What is Protocol conversion?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is ‘Handling of Status Signals’?

Answer 7

Status signals show whether or not a peripheral device is ready to communicate

Question 8

What is Serial Data Transmission?

Answer 8

Serial Data transmission sends the bits for each character in the data one after another along the same data line

Question 9

What is Parallel Data Transmission?

Answer 9

Parallel Data transmission sends each bit which makes up a character simultaneously along separate data lines

Question 10

What is an advantage of using a Buffer?

Answer 10

Using a buffer helps the system compensate for the differences in operating speeds between the CPU and its peripherals

Question 11

What is an advantage of using a Spooler?

Answer 11

A spooler uses fast backing storage, which will speed up performance

Question 12

What is a Solid State storage device?

Answer 12

It is a storage device that contains no moving parts

Question 13

What are 2 examples of SSD’s?

Answer 13

• Flash Cards (Flash RAM & Flash ROM)

* USB Flash memory (USB 1 & USB 2)

Question 14

What are the advantages of using SSD’s? (2)

Answer 14

• SSD’s are small

* SSD’s use less power than hard disk drives

Question 15

What is a disadvantage of using SSD’s?

Answer 15

SSD’s are expensive

Question 16

What are the development trends in Backing storage devices? (4)

Answer 16

• Increased capacity
• Increased read and write speeds
• Reduced physical size
• Lower cost per unit of storage

Question 17

What hardware would you use for creating a multimedia catalog? (2)

Answer 17

• Digital Still Camera

* Graphics Tablet

Question 18

What hardware would you use for setting up a LAN in a school? (2)

Answer 18

• Switches/Hubs

* Network Interface Cards

Question 19

What hardware would you use for developing a school website? (2)

Answer 19

• Digital Still Camera

* Web Server

Question 20

What are 2 developments in interfaces?

Answer 20

• Increase the speed at which the interface allows the peripheral and computer to communicate
• Allow wireless communication between the peripherals and the CPU

Question 21

What is a Buffer?

Answer 21

A Buffer provides temporary storage of data, and can be used in RAM in a printer

Question 22

What is a Spooler?

Answer 22

A Spooler is a program which saves data temporarily to fast backing storage before sending it to a peripheral

Question 23

Why are SSD’s used on small devices such as cameras? (2)

Answer 23

They have no moving parts, so are small and robust.

Question 24

State 2 ‘Status signals’

Answer 24

• Ready to transfer

* Finished transfer