Hardware Flashcards
ADC
Analogue to Data Converter
creates digital sound signal in microphones
Analogue Input
converts a voltage level into a digital value that can be stored and processed in a computer
Analogue Output
a continuous output from PTC to field devices
ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit
performs all mathematical and logical calculations in the CPU using inputted numbers and code from the controller
Accumulator
a temporary state register for data that has just left the ALU
Backing Store
also known as a hard disk, this retains data after the computer has been switched off and can include storage systems such as flash drives and removable disks
Bidirectional
a type of bus where data flows in both directions
BIOS
Basic Input Output System
a chip that enables a computer to communicate with hardware such as the disk drive, keyboard or monitor on start up
Boot Component
stored in ROM, instructions for what the computer has to do on start up
Buses
something that connects the processor to another part of the computer
Address Bus
where the address of data is communicated to the main memory
Control Bus
used to tell the memory or device which operation is to be performed
Data Bus
a series of wires that connects the processor to the main or cache memory, can be used to read or write to memory
Capacity
the quantity of data that a storage medium can hold
CPU
Central Processing Unit
main processor that executes instructions in a computer
Clock Speed
the speed at which the computer operates
Overclocking
where the processer is set to run faster than the original design, causing it to overheat
Underclocking
where the processor is set to run slower than the original design
Cores
a term used to describe the processing components within the CPU
Dual Core
should be able to perform twice as fast as single core, although this is not always the case
Quad-Core
should be able to perform twice as fast as dual-core, although this is not always the case
Cache (Memory Type)
a fast-access type of memory that is very expensive and is able to provide instructions and data to the CPU faster than other memory systems
L1 Cache
the smallest and fastest cache
L2 Cache
larger and slower than L1, instructions are searched for in here if not in L1
L3 Cache
the largest and slowest cache, instructions are searched for in here if not in L2
Cache (Disk Type)
a hard disk that is not part of the normal array
Computer Port
the hardware that interfaces between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices
Audio Port
used to plug ANALOGUE audio signals into the computer
Digital Visual Interface
to connect a digital source to a computer monitor
Ethernet
mainly used for network and internet connectivity, carries broadband signals between different internet-capable devices
HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface
used to transfer audio/visual data to compatible devices
IEEE1934 Interface
also known as firewire, used for high-speed data transfer
PS/2 Connector
a six-pin connector used to connect mice and computers
USB
Universal Serial Bus
allows high-speed connectivity with periphral devices
Computer System
operates with hardware and software to create a functional solution
Controller
fetches instructions, translates and decodes them and then manages the execution of these instructions, controls the fetch-execute cycle
Control Unit
directs the flow of data to other parts of the CPU, also generates clock ticks
Data Capture
the name given to the input of the data into the system in a suitable format
Digital Input
detects if a voltage is above or below a certain threshold
Digital Ouput
allows you to control the voltage with a computer
Durability
how susceptible a storage medium is to damage
Embedded System
a combination of software and hardware that performs a specific task rather than a general-purpose computer that is designed to carry out multiple tasks. Often control real time events so must be completely reliable. They are embedded in firmware and stored in read-only memory. Most react to conditions such as temperature, weight, vibration and air quality, detecting external conditions and reacting to them by recording data, turning motors on or off, sounding an alarm or sending a message to the processor
Fetch Execute Cycle
made up of three steps for processing instructions by a currently running program:
1. The fetch cycle takes the address required from the memory, stores it in the instruction register, and moves the program counter on one so that it points at the next instruction.
2. The control unit checks the instruction in the instruction register. The instruction is decoded to determine the action that needs to be carried out.
3. That actual actions that happen during the execution cycle depend on the instruction itself.
GPU
Graphics Processing Unit
a microprocessor that performs the calculations needed to produce graphic images on screen. Initially the CPU performed these calculations, but as more complex applications were developed, such as 3D graphics and video quality animations, the GPU was introduced to offload those tasks from the CPU. GPUs can be integrated within the circuitry of the motherboard or provided on a dedicated graphics card
Integrated GPU
uses the computer’s RAM, cheaper than using a dedicated GPU, as it uses less heat and power, perfect for general graphics processing, such as word processing or watching and editing videos
Dedicated GPU
more expensive than an integrated GPU, often used by professional graphic designers and serious gamers, as it requires its own memory and a good cooling system
Sound Card
may be on the motherboard or designed to fit a PCI slot. Enable the computer to output sound through speakers, to record sound from a microphone and to manipulate sound stored or a disk. Sound cards convert analogue input signals into digital data and reverse this process for audio output
Stereo Card
a type of sound card that allows for multiple channels from multiple speakers
Mono Card
a type of sound card that only allows for one channel
GFS Backup
Grandfather-Father-Son Backup
a method of backing up files
Hardware
physical parts of a computer system, needed to gain a useable ouptut from the system
Harvard Architecture
an older CPU design, where machine instructions and data were entirely separate and everything fed into a central control unit via buses
HMI
Human Machine Interface
the user interface that connects the operator to the controller for an industrial system
Incremental Backup
backing up only files that have been altered, as opposed to the whole system
Input
where data is inputted into a system, such as keyboards, barcode readers and sip and puff devices
Memory
the part of a computer where data or program instructions can be stored for future use
Cache Memory
A small memory store used directly by the CPU, holds copies of the most frequently used instructions and data, reduces access time and speeds up processing. Is volatile. Data can be changed. Is very fast
Flash Memory
is solid state (adapted from EPROM), composed of a series of logic gates that hold data in a non-binary format, now often used to replace ROM chips, involved in read/write only devices. Is permanent. Can be very slow. Data can be changed.
RAM
Random Access Memory
non-volatile, non-editable, stores instructions for when the program is initially turned on and data is not lost when computer is powered down.
ROM
Read Only Memory
computer’s working memory, is volatile and editable, data is lost when computer is powered down, allows multi-tasking
Virtual Memory
incorporates paging and swapping and is a memory management technique that gives the illusion of a very large main memory by moving data out to slower media e.g. a disk when it is not being used. Is used when RAM is full, uses the hard drive to temporarily store RAM content, causes system to slow down and stores programs and data not currently in use and retrieves them when required.
Microprocessor
an integrated circuit that contains all the functions of the Central Processing Unit of a computer
Motherboard
the main circuit board of the computer, with the CPU and ROM mounted on it, providing RAM expansion slots, USB slots, PCI ports for expansion cards and controllers for devices such as the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard and mouse
Ouput
where information is presented in a logical form, such as screens, headphones and eye-tracking devices
Peripherals
not mounted on the motherboard, including input devices, backing store and output devices
Portability
the ease with which a secondary storage medium is connected from one device to another
Power Supply
used to convert Mains Alternating Current to low-voltage Direct Current for the various components of the system
Process
where data is inputted into a readable format
Register
a storage found in the CPU where data or control information is stored temporarily, usually much faster to access than internal memory
CIR
Current Instruction Register
the part of the CPU’s control unit that holds the instruction currently being executed
Internal Memory
the memory that is available within the CPU
Internal Register
these are used by the processor in conjunction with fetching information from the RAM
User Accessible Register
used within programmable instructions
MAR
Memory Address Register
the CPU memory that stores the memory address from which the data will be fetched to the CPU
MDR
Mobile Data Register
used for holding information, either data or programming, that is in the process of being transferred from the memory to the central processor, or vice versa
PC
Program Counter
a processor register that indicates when a computer is in its program sequence
Reliability
how likely something is to fail through continuous use
RISC Processor
Reduced Instruction Set Computer Processor
processes a limited range of simple instructions and needs to break down complex commands into simpler ones to carry them out, but runs cooler, uses less power and are cheaper
Secondary Storage
technology consisting of computer components and recording media used to retain digital data
Optical Devices
uses technology such as lasers
Blu-Ray Disk
laser beams are projected onto a disk and if they are reflected back, this is recorded as a 1, if not, a 0, blu-ray has more storage than a typical DVD or CD
DVD
Digital Versatile Disk
laser beams are projected onto a disk and if they are reflected back, this is recorded as a 1, if not, a 0, DVD has less storage than blu-ray, but more than a CD
CD
Compact Disk
laser beams are projected onto a disk and if they are reflected back, this is recorded as 1, if not, a 0, CD has less storage than blu-ray or DVD
Magnetic Devices
devices that use technology stored in magnetic mediums
External Hard Drive
data is written onto using a write-head and can be read using a read-head, outside the computer
Magnetic Hard Drive
data is written onto using a write-head and can be read using a read-head, often inside the computer
Magnetic Tape
data is written onto using a write-head and can be read using a read-head, on magnetic tape
Solid State Drives
called solid state as it does not have moving parts, unlike optical or magnetic devices, especially in mobile phones, where its low power consumption and speed is advantageous
Flash Memory
is solid state (adapted from EPROM), composed of a series of logic gates that hold data in a non-binary format, now often used to replace ROM chips, involved in read/write only devices. Is permanent. Can be very slow. Data can be changed.
Storage in the Cloud
a contemporary storage facility that allows users to store their data on third-party servers, meaning data can be accessed from multiple devices
Software
actual coded instructions that help the computer run
Speed
the access time to transfer data to the secondary storage medium
Unidirectional
a type of bus where data only flows in one direction
Width
number of wires
