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Computer Science IGCSE > Topic 3. Hardware > Flashcards

Topic 3. Hardware Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the components of the CPU?

A

CIR
Memory Data Register
Accumulator
PC
Memory Address Register
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Control Unit

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2
Q

What is meant by a microprocessor?

A

A type of integrated circuit on a single chip

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2
Q

What is the function of the CPU?

A

Processes instructions and data that are input into the computer so that the result can be output

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3
Q

What’s the role of the CIR?

A

Holds the instruction that is currently being executed

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4
Q

What is the role of the MDR?

A

Holds data or a program instruction when it is fetched from memory or data that is waiting to be written to memory

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5
Q

What is the role of the accumulator

A

A register inside the ALU which results of operation carried out in the ALU are stored

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6
Q

What is the role of the PC?

A

A register which holds the memory address of the next instruction to be processed

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7
Q

What is the role of the MAR?

A

Holds the address of the current instruction of piece of data to be fetched or stored.

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8
Q

What is the role of the CU?

A

Coordinates all of the CPU’s actions in the fetch-decode-execute cycle and decoders instruction. Sends and receives control signals to fetch and write data

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9
Q

What is the role of the ALU?

A

Carries out mathematical and logical operations including, AND, OR and NOT, and binary shifts. It compares values held in registers

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10
Q

What is the role of the CU

A

Coordinates all of the CPU’s actions in the fetch-decode-execute cycle and decodes instructions. Sends and receives control signals to fetch and write data

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11
Q

What is the role of the clock?

A

To regulate the speed and timing of all signals and computer functions

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12
Q

What is the role of the registers?

A

Built into the CPU chip to temporarily store memory addresses, instructions or data

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13
Q

What is the role of address, data and control buses?

A

Wires used to transfer data instructions, memory addresses(of data and instructions) and control signals from one component to another

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14
Q

How does the clock speed affect the CPU performance?

A

Clock speed determines the number of fetch-execute cycles per second.

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15
Q

How does cache size affect the CPU performance?

A

Cache memory is much faster than main memory so data is transferred in and out of cache memory more quickly
THE CPU will optimise its use of the fastest cache before using the next level or using RAM in order to improve performance speed

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16
Q

How does the number of cores affect the CPU performance?

A

Each core can process one operation per clock cycle. A dual or quad core processor will be able to perform two or four operations simultaneously.

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17
Q

What is the Fetch cycle in the FDE cycle?

A

The memory address of the instruction to be fetched is stored in the Memory Address Register and is sent down the address bus
The data/instruction at the memory address is transferred back to the CPU, via the data bus, where it is stored in the MDR
The instruction is copied into the CIR and the PC increments

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18
Q

What is the Decode cycle in the FDE Cycle?

A

The instruction in the CIR is decoded, by the Control unit into an opcode (what to do) operand (what to do it to)

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19
Q

What is the Execute cycle in the FDE cycle?

A

The instruction is executed by the Arithmetic Logic Unit and the opcode is performed upon the operand. The result is stored in the accumulator or written to a memory location within memory

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20
Q

What is the role of an embedded system?

A

An embedded system is a small computer that forma part of a larger system, device or machine. Its purpose is to control the device and to allow a user to interact with it

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21
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

A computer system with either one function or limited specific functions built within a larger mechanical device

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22
Q

What is the role of an embedded system?

A

Controls the device and allows a user to interact with it

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23
Q

What are some types of embedded systems?

A

Microcontrollers - Integrated circuit containing a CPU and memory (RAM or ROM) built into the same chip
Microprocessor - Integrated circuit containing only a CPU on the chip. RAM, ROM, peripherals needs to be added

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24
Q

What are some examples of embedded systems?

A

1.Digital clock
2.Traffic lights
3. Lighting system
4. Security system
5. Vending machine
6. Central Heating System

25
Q

What is an input device?

A

Peripherals used to provide data and control signals to a computer system

26
Q

What is the function of a barcode scanner?

A

Red laser light is shone ag a barcode to illuminate it
The light from the white lines is reflected back again
Black lines absorb the light so less is reflected
Sensors within the scanner detect the pattern of strong and weak reflections from the lines
The reflection strength from each line is interpreted by a microprocessor and converted into a binary number

27
Q

What is the function of a 2D scanner?

A

A 2D scanner shines a strip of light onto a document or photogram
The strip moves over the whole documents and as it does the reflected light is captured using mirrors and lenses and the light intensity is measured for each pixel
This information is converted into a digital file to produce a digital image of the original document

28
Q

What is the function of a 3D scanner?

A

A 3D scanner shines a light over the surface of an object.
It records the geometry and dimensions of the object to produce a digital file.
From this file, a digital model of the original objected can be created using specialist software

29
Q

What is the function of a QR code scanner?

A

A QR code is read by using a camera commonly on a mobile device
Three large squares in the corners of the QR code are used for alignment
The smaller black and white squares then reflect or absorb light in the same way as a normal barcode
Software on the mobile device then converts each pixel into a binary value to process the image

30
Q

What is the function of digital cameras?

A

A digital camera contains a CMOS or CCD sensor.
As light enters the lens it falls onto the sensor which is divided up into millions of individual squares or pixels
Each square measures the light intensity that falls in it and this value is converted into digital data as a pixel with a single binary colour value
An image can then be stored as a file on a flash memory card or reassembled on a screen by a microprocess within the camera using information from each pixel

31
Q

What is the function of a keyboard?

A

When a key is pressed on a standard keyboard, a peg under the key is pressed into a springy layer to make contact with a conducting membrane

32
Q

What is the function of the optical mouse?

A

Am optical mouses uses a red LED and a sensor to determine the movement of the mouse relative to a surface
The speed and distance of movement is then analysed by a digital signal processor to create the same movement of the mouse cursor

33
Q

What is the function of a microphone?

A

A microphone uses a diaphragm, to vibrate in response to sound
The vibrations cause a coil to move around a magnet which creates changes in the electromagnetic field
Changes are detected and recorded by a processor using an analogue to digital convertor (ADC)

34
Q

What is the function of a resistive screen?

A

Resistive touchscreens are made up of a layer of conductive polyester and a layer of conductive glass
The two layers are separated by an insulating membrane
When the screen is gently pressed by a finger, the two conducting layers make contact and complete a circuit
The position where the screen is touched is calculated by a microprocessor
Resistive screens are often used with some ATM screens and medical equipment as users commonly wearmgloves

35
Q

What is the function of an infra-red screens?

A

LEDs shine infra-red light across the screen from the top and sides
The infra-red rays form a grid across the screen
When the screen is touched by a finger, the infra-red beam is interrupted and a microprocessor calculates the coordinates of where the screen was touched

36
Q

What is the function of capacitive screens?

A

Capacitive touchscreens are made up of glass layers
The bottom surface of the upper layer and the top surface of the bottom layer are coated in perpendicular lines of transparent conductive material forming a grid
The screen behaves like a capacitor, storing electrical energy
When the screen is touched by a finger, there us a change in the electrical field at that position
The position where the field changes is calculated by a microprocessor
Unlike resistive screens, capacitive screens can be touched in more than one place at a time

37
Q

What is an output device?

A

Hardware components that receive information from a computer system and present it to the user in an understandable form

38
Q

What is the function of a LCD screen?

A

LCD screens are made from millions of pixels
Each pixel is effective a separate red, blue and green light that can be switched on or off electronically using liquid crystals to rotate polarised light. The pixels are switched on or off very rapidly to make a moving colour picture. A special fluorescent lamp is required to provide the necessary back light

39
Q

What is the function of a LED screen?

A

An LED screen used the light from LEDs to produce a brighter backlight almost instantly, replacing the need for the additional fluorescent lamp required by LCD technology. LED screens can be made to be very big for sports stadiums or concerts. These are made of many smaller screens in a cluster

40
Q

What is the function of DLP projectors?

A

DLP systems utilise millions of micro-mirrors arranged in a grid on a small microchip within the projector. Shining white light through colour filters alters the colour whilst he angle of the mirror alters the intensity of colour

41
Q

What is the function of LCD projectors

A

LCD use three mirror filters to separate an image into red, green and blue wavelengths. The three images are then combined using a prism to produce the full colour image which then passes through a lens and is projected on to a screen.

42
Q

What is the function of an Inkjet Printer?

A

Inkjet printers use liquid ink reservoirs, forcing droplets through a fine nozzle onto a sheet of paper. They are very good for small print runs and high-resolution colour photographs, especially when specialist coated photo paper is used

43
Q

What is function laser printers?

A

Laser printers offer high quality and inexpensive printing. They are suited to larger print jobs as they are usually faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers use dry ink in powder form called toner that is electrostatically charged. The printer generates a mirror image of the printed page and ‘draws’ the image onto a drum using a laser, creating negatively charged areas. The drum rotates past the former hopper to attract positively charged ink particles. These are them transferred into the paper and bonded using a heat roller

44
Q

What are the advantages of inkjet printers?

A

Compact and good all round
Excellent for colour photos

45
Q

What are the disadvantage of inkjet printers?

A

Paper can be damp or wrinkled after printing

46
Q

What are the advantages of laser printers?

A

Very fast and accurate for black and white documents
Lower running costs per page

47
Q

What are the disadvantage of laser printers?

A

Colour printers and toner cartridges are expensive

48
Q

What is the function of 3D printers?

A

3D printers work by depositing layers of material, usually melted plastic, upon each other to gradually build up a 3D form. Other materials can include powdered metal, ceramic, paper, some foods or even cement to ‘print’ houses

49
Q

What is the function of speakers?

A

Speakers work in the opposite way to microphones. A digital signal from a computer is sent through a digital to analogue converted which can then be boosted by an amplifier and passed on to a speaker to create sound

50
Q

What are actuators?

A

Actuators are devices that allow physical movements to be carried out, often with a motor. They are commonly used in conjunction with sensors to control a mechanism. Examples include opening a valve or door, starting a pump, turning a wheel or fan, or moving an aircraft wing flap

51
Q

What are sensors?

A

Sensors measure the physical properties of their environment

52
Q

What are the examples of sensors

A

Acoustic - sound levels
Accelerometer - Acceleration rate, tilt, vibration
Flow - rate of gas, liquid or powder flow
Gas - presence of gas (e.g. Carbon monoxide)
Humidity - levels of water vapour
Infra-red- Detecting motion or a heat source
Level - liquid levels
Light - light levels
Magnetic field - Presence and strength
Moisture - Presence and levels of moisture
pH- acidity or alkalinity
Pressure - gas, liquid or physical pressure
Proximity - Distance e.g. Reversing sensors
Temperature - Thermistor

53
Q

What is a Network Interface Card?

A

A physical component which can operate with a wireless or wired connection using a standard Ethernet cable. These devices include home computers, smartphones, printers and internet-enabled light bulbs

54
Q

What is a Media Access Control Address?

A

A MAC address is used to identify a device with a unique hexadecimal identification number assigned to every Network Interface Card used in networked device. The MAC address is set by the manufacturer and is static meaning it will always be the same. The first three bytes makes up a unique manufacturer code, the second three bytes make up the unique serial code

55
Q

What is the Internet Protocol Address?

A

An IP address is a unique public address for the router or gateway of a network. Private addresses are not unique and the IP address of a portable device such as a laptop will change when it is moved for example between towns.

56
Q

What is the function of routers?

A

Routers use IP address to direct data packets from one router to another between start and end points of network. They sit between local networks and the Internet to join them together with a public IP address for the Internet and a private IP address for the local network

57
Q

What are some characteristics of IP addresses?

A

An IP address can be either static (don’t change) or dynamic (do change and are assigned from a list of available dresses at the time they are required).
IP addresses are unique within the network they are used
Values are separated by full stops or colons
Each value is between 0-255 or 0-FFF

58
Q

What is an IPv4 address?

A

An IPv4 address is commonly four numbers (that are each stored usingn8 bits) each separated by a full stop

59
Q

What is are the problems with an IPv4 address and how was it solved?

A

IPv4 addresses are running out of possible addresses owing to the huge rise in networked devices. To solve this problem a new system called IPv6 has been developed. This uses a 128-bit address which is usually represented in hexadecimal, which will provide enough address permutations to cater for all devices on the planet

Computer Science IGCSE (5 decks)

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