Input/Output Devices

Question 1

What is an I/O chipset?

Answer 1

An interface between the CPU and I/O devices. It converts signals so the CPU can work with them.

Question 2

How does the CPU communicate with the I/O chipset?

Answer 2

Similarly to memory: there is an address to read/write from/to.

Question 3

What is ADC?

Answer 3

Analogue-to-digital converter. Accepts an analogue signal e.g. from a microphone and coverts it into digital. These signals are approximated based on bits - the more bits, the more accurate/quality the sound.

Question 4

What is DAC?

Answer 4

Digital-to-analogue convert: writes the analogue output onto the DAC port, where a speaker or similar may be connected.

Question 5

What is the difference between the Serial I/O, Digital I/O and Analogue I/O?

Answer 5

Serial I/O is cheap and easy, for small computers and network hardware. Meter-long com distances. Digital I/O is for peripherals, such as USB, keyboards, etc. Analogue I/O is for microphones and speakers, etc.

Question 6

What is MSB?

Answer 6

Most significant bits, that identify a chip to use (left side).

Question 7

What is LSB?

Answer 7

Least significant bits, identify address within chip (right side).