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IT GCSE > Hardware > Flashcards

Hardware Flashcards

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1
Q

ADC

A

Analogue to Data Converter

creates digital sound signal in microphones

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2
Q

Analogue Input

A

converts a voltage level into a digital value that can be stored and processed in a computer

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3
Q

Analogue Output

A

a continuous output from PTC to field devices

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4
Q

ALU

A

Arithmetic Logic Unit

performs all mathematical and logical calculations in the CPU using inputted numbers and code from the controller

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5
Q

Accumulator

A

a temporary state register for data that has just left the ALU

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6
Q

Backing Store

A

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

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7
Q

Bidirectional

A

a type of bus where data flows in both directions

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8
Q

BIOS

A

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

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9
Q

Boot Component

A

stored in ROM, instructions for what the computer has to do on start up

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10
Q

Buses

A

something that connects the processor to another part of the computer

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11
Q

Address Bus

A

where the address of data is communicated to the main memory

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12
Q

Control Bus

A

used to tell the memory or device which operation is to be performed

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13
Q

Data Bus

A

a series of wires that connects the processor to the main or cache memory, can be used to read or write to memory

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14
Q

Capacity

A

the quantity of data that a storage medium can hold

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15
Q

CPU

A

Central Processing Unit

main processor that executes instructions in a computer

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16
Q

Clock Speed

A

the speed at which the computer operates

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17
Q

Overclocking

A

where the processer is set to run faster than the original design, causing it to overheat

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18
Q

Underclocking

A

where the processor is set to run slower than the original design

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19
Q

Cores

A

a term used to describe the processing components within the CPU

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20
Q

Dual Core

A

should be able to perform twice as fast as single core, although this is not always the case

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21
Q

Quad-Core

A

should be able to perform twice as fast as dual-core, although this is not always the case

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22
Q

Cache (Memory Type)

A

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

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23
Q

L1 Cache

A

the smallest and fastest cache

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24
Q

L2 Cache

A

larger and slower than L1, instructions are searched for in here if not in L1

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25
Q

L3 Cache

A

the largest and slowest cache, instructions are searched for in here if not in L2

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26
Q

Cache (Disk Type)

A

a hard disk that is not part of the normal array

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27
Q

Computer Port

A

the hardware that interfaces between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices

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28
Q

Audio Port

A

used to plug ANALOGUE audio signals into the computer

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29
Q

Digital Visual Interface

A

to connect a digital source to a computer monitor

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30
Q

Ethernet

A

mainly used for network and internet connectivity, carries broadband signals between different internet-capable devices

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31
Q

HDMI

A

High-Definition Multimedia Interface

used to transfer audio/visual data to compatible devices

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32
Q

IEEE1934 Interface

A

also known as firewire, used for high-speed data transfer

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33
Q

PS/2 Connector

A

a six-pin connector used to connect mice and computers

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34
Q

USB

A

Universal Serial Bus

allows high-speed connectivity with periphral devices

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35
Q

Computer System

A

operates with hardware and software to create a functional solution

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36
Q

Controller

A

fetches instructions, translates and decodes them and then manages the execution of these instructions, controls the fetch-execute cycle

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37
Q

Control Unit

A

directs the flow of data to other parts of the CPU, also generates clock ticks

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38
Q

Data Capture

A

the name given to the input of the data into the system in a suitable format

39
Q

Digital Input

A

detects if a voltage is above or below a certain threshold

40
Q

Digital Ouput

A

allows you to control the voltage with a computer

41
Q

Durability

A

how susceptible a storage medium is to damage

42
Q

Embedded System

A

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

43
Q

Fetch Execute Cycle

A

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.

44
Q

GPU

A

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

45
Q

Integrated GPU

A

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

46
Q

Dedicated GPU

A

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

47
Q

Sound Card

A

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

48
Q

Stereo Card

A

a type of sound card that allows for multiple channels from multiple speakers

49
Q

Mono Card

A

a type of sound card that only allows for one channel

50
Q

GFS Backup

A

Grandfather-Father-Son Backup

a method of backing up files

51
Q

Hardware

A

physical parts of a computer system, needed to gain a useable ouptut from the system

52
Q

Harvard Architecture

A

an older CPU design, where machine instructions and data were entirely separate and everything fed into a central control unit via buses

53
Q

HMI

A

Human Machine Interface

the user interface that connects the operator to the controller for an industrial system

54
Q

Incremental Backup

A

backing up only files that have been altered, as opposed to the whole system

55
Q

Input

A

where data is inputted into a system, such as keyboards, barcode readers and sip and puff devices

56
Q

Memory

A

the part of a computer where data or program instructions can be stored for future use

57
Q

Cache Memory

A

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

58
Q

Flash Memory

A

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.

59
Q

RAM

A

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.

60
Q

ROM

A

Read Only Memory

computer’s working memory, is volatile and editable, data is lost when computer is powered down, allows multi-tasking

61
Q

Virtual Memory

A

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.

62
Q

Microprocessor

A

an integrated circuit that contains all the functions of the Central Processing Unit of a computer

63
Q

Motherboard

A

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

64
Q

Ouput

A

where information is presented in a logical form, such as screens, headphones and eye-tracking devices

65
Q

Peripherals

A

not mounted on the motherboard, including input devices, backing store and output devices

66
Q

Portability

A

the ease with which a secondary storage medium is connected from one device to another

67
Q

Power Supply

A

used to convert Mains Alternating Current to low-voltage Direct Current for the various components of the system

68
Q

Process

A

where data is inputted into a readable format

69
Q

Register

A

a storage found in the CPU where data or control information is stored temporarily, usually much faster to access than internal memory

70
Q

CIR

A

Current Instruction Register

the part of the CPU’s control unit that holds the instruction currently being executed

71
Q

Internal Memory

A

the memory that is available within the CPU

72
Q

Internal Register

A

these are used by the processor in conjunction with fetching information from the RAM

73
Q

User Accessible Register

A

used within programmable instructions

74
Q

MAR

A

Memory Address Register

the CPU memory that stores the memory address from which the data will be fetched to the CPU

75
Q

MDR

A

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

76
Q

PC

A

Program Counter

a processor register that indicates when a computer is in its program sequence

77
Q

Reliability

A

how likely something is to fail through continuous use

78
Q

RISC Processor

A

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

79
Q

Secondary Storage

A

technology consisting of computer components and recording media used to retain digital data

80
Q

Optical Devices

A

uses technology such as lasers

81
Q

Blu-Ray Disk

A

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

82
Q

DVD

A

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

83
Q

CD

A

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

84
Q

Magnetic Devices

A

devices that use technology stored in magnetic mediums

85
Q

External Hard Drive

A

data is written onto using a write-head and can be read using a read-head, outside the computer

86
Q

Magnetic Hard Drive

A

data is written onto using a write-head and can be read using a read-head, often inside the computer

87
Q

Magnetic Tape

A

data is written onto using a write-head and can be read using a read-head, on magnetic tape

88
Q

Solid State Drives

A

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

89
Q

Flash Memory

A

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.

90
Q

Storage in the Cloud

A

a contemporary storage facility that allows users to store their data on third-party servers, meaning data can be accessed from multiple devices

91
Q

Software

A

actual coded instructions that help the computer run

92
Q

Speed

A

the access time to transfer data to the secondary storage medium

93
Q

Unidirectional

A

a type of bus where data only flows in one direction

94
Q

Width

A

number of wires

IT GCSE (10 decks)

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