Module 3 - Unit 2 - Using Device Interfaces Flashcards
What is the standard means of connecting peripheral devices to a computer?
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
What are the features of USB devices?
1) Plug-and-Play - computers can identify the device and try to install a driver for it
2) Hot-Swappable - detect devices without requiring a restart
Name and describe 3 types of USB ports and connectors
i) Type A - shaped like flat rectangles
- for connection to the host
ii) Type B - square with a beveled top
- for connection to a device
iii) Type C - flat top bottom, oval on sides
- connection can be reversed
True or False. Type A and B USB connectors are always inserted with the USB symbol facing down.
False. The USB connector is inserted with its symbol facing up.
List down the data rates for each USB by their versions
USB 1.1 - 12 Mbps
USB 2.0 - 480 Mbps
USB 3.0 - 5 Gbps
USB 3.1 - 10 Gbps
What is Firewire?
The Firewire bus was based on the IEEE 1394 standard and the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) communications protocol. Unlike USB, they never received mainstream support as PC vendors do.
Name and describe 2 types of Firewire
i) 6-pin connector - rectangle with a beveled edge on one side
ii) 4-pin connector - rectangle and concave on the bottom
Which is faster: Firewire 800 or USB 2.0?
Firewire 800 is faster, it has a 800Mbps data transfer rate whereas USB 2.0 has a nominal data transfer rate of 480Mbps.
What is required for a computer to have graphic capabilities?
It would require that computer have a display unit, and a graphic adapter known more commonly as ‘video cards’.
What is a computer image made up of?
Pixels
What is the term called for the total number of colors supported in an image?
Color Depth or bit depth
What factors contribute to the increase amount of graphical bandwidth and processing?
Resolution, color depth, refresh rate
Who invented Video Graphics Array (VGA) and what is it for?
IBM. It is used as a standard for the resolution and color depth of computer displays.
How much resolution, color depth and refresh rate a VGA specifies?
640x480, 16 colors (4-bit), 60 Hz refresh rate
How much resolution, color depth and refresh rate a Super VGA (SVGA) specifies?
800x600, 16 or 64 colors (4-bit or 8-bit), 60 Hz refresh rate
How much resolution, color depth and refresh rate a XGA specifies?
1024x768, 256 or 1024 colors (16-bit or 32-bit), >60 Hz refresh rate
What is the ratio of a widescreen?
16:10
What type of signal will the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors produce?
Analog
What does HDMI stands for?
High Definition Multimedia Interface
How will a HDMI prevent content from being copied?
Using what is called the High-bandwidth Content Protection (HDCP), it supports the encryption of video and audio content transmitting between devices.
List down the types of connectors and the version when it was released.
HDMI - Type A - v1.0
Mini HDMI - Type C - v1.3
Micro HDMI - Type D - v1.4
True or False. The number of pins in HDMI connectors varies depending on the size
False. All HDMI connectors as of now have the same number of pins that is 19 pins.
Who invented DisplayPort?
It was developed by an organization called VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association).
How many pins does a DisplayPort connector have?
It has 20 pins.
In the same category, what technology does DisplayPort uses that allows a connection with DVI-D and HDMI devices?
DP++
Who invented the Thunderbolt interface?
It was developed by Intel and is primarily used on Apple workstations and laptops.
True or False. Initially, mini DisplayPort is compatible with Thunderbolt.
True. Mini DisplayPort has the same physical interface as the Thunderbolt in the first two versions. The way to distinguish both ports is by the lightning bolt icon.
Which version of Thunderbolt has a USB-C connector?
Version 3. The first two versions has the same physical interface as a Mini DisplayPort
What interface is specially designed for flat-panel display equipment?
Digital Visual Interface (DVI), the pin and configuration of ports dictates what feature it supports such as whether is single or dual link and analog or digital.
Name and describe the different types of DVIs
DVI-I - supports analog and digital video signals
DVI-A - supports only analog video signals
DVI-D - supports only digital video signals
Dual-link - makes more bandwidth available
Which type of DVI will HDMI be backward compatible with?
DVI-D
For VGA, number of pins, type of connector, and type of signal.
15 pins, D-shell type connector, analog signal
What is the legacy interface of a computer keyboard?
PS/2 interface connects to a purple PS/2 port
List down the special command keys on a extended pc keyboard
ALT, CTRL, PRINT SCREEN, NUM LOCK, SCROLL LOCK, START, FUNCTION (Fn), ESCAPE (ESC)
What is the legacy interface of a computer mouse?
PS/2 interface connects to a green PS/2 port
Name and describe 3 types of mice
i) Mechanical Mouse - contains a roller where the movement and motion of the ball translate into the movement of a cursor on the screen
ii) Optical Mouse - uses LEDs to detect movement over a surface.
iii) Laser Mouse - uses an infrared laser to detect movement over a surface with greater precision that optical mouse, however is restricted to tighter surfaces.
What is the main purpose of a Stylus pen?
It is used for art applications where a certain extent of precision is needed to draw a digital image.
Name a feature that distinct PS/2 interface and a USB interface.
USB are hot-swappable means that the computer will be able to recognized the hardware device even when the computer is turned on, whereas a PS/2 interface requires that the hardware device plugged in before the computer starts
How far does Bluetooth signals travel?
It travels up to 10 meters (30 feet), while also depends on the class of devices as different class will have different power.
How does Radio Frequency ID (RFID) works?
RFID works by having specially encoded tags that a reader can detect within a certain distance. RFID can be classified into both passive and active, and the latter is powered by electricity.
How is Near Field Communications (NFC) compared to RFID devices?
NFC has peer-to-peer capabilities which means it works as both tag and the reader, while RFID only functions as a tag.
What is one reason for twisted pair cables?
Twisted pair is a type of copper cabling where a pair of insulate conductors are twisted around one another to minimize electrical interference.
Name two common types of network connectors
RJ-45 - Ethernet connector
RJ-11 - Telephone connector
What port is similar to RJ-11?
The DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) port that is used on modem/router appliances.
True of false? Mice and keyboards must be connected to a computer via PS/2 ports.
False. They are now much more likely to use USB or wireless (Bluetooth or other RF) interfaces.
True or false? USB cables have the same connectors at either end.
False. The connectors for the host (PC) and device use different form factors (there are also normal size and mini or micro device connectors). A new reversible Type C connector is starting to be used however.
A user has two USB drives connected to her PC. She complains that when she copies large files to both drives at the same time, it seems to take much longer. Why might this be?
Bandwidth on the USB bus is shared between all devices.
You want to purchase a flat-panel monitor that can show widescreen movies. You are considering models with native resolutions of 1400x1050 and 1920x1200. Which should you choose?
1920x1200 has a ratio of 16:10 although a 16:9 is a the accurate widescreen format, 16:10 will allow some space for the top and bottom.
True or false? HDMI is the only type of display interface that supports High Definition picture resolutions.
False. There are also DisplayPort and Thunderbolt and some DVI formats also support HD resolutions.
You are considering buying a new display device. The model you are considering accepts digital inputs only. Your computer’s graphics adapter has a blue port with 15 holes. Would this flat-panel be a wise purchase?
No. A blue port with 15 holes is a VGA port that only carries analog video signal.
You need to configure settings for an input device. What should be your first step?
Open a driver application or use system settings
A friend is asking for your help in using her computer. When he presses the key marked @, a different symbol appears. What could be the cause?
A different keyboard layout than the one it appears.
What type of mouse would you recommend for someone who uses their computer principally to play computer games and why?
A laser mouse because it can register cursor movements more accurately.
