Topic 3: Hardware Flashcards
Internet of Things
The connection of computer systems and everyday devices using the internet to allow data to be exchanged.
Central Processing unit (CPU)
A component in a computer system that processes data and instructions.
Microprocessor
An integrated circuit that is able to perform many of the functions of the CPU
Embedded System
A computer system that performs a dedicated function.
fetch - decode - execute cycle
The cycle through which data and instructions are processsed.
architecture
The desgin of a computer system including the componenets it contains.
Input device
a device that allows data to be entered into a computer system
RAM (Random Access Memory)
A componenet in to the CPU that holds data and programs that are currently in use.
Hard drive
A storage device that stores data permenatly until it is deleted by the user.
Program counter (PC)
A component in the CPU that stores the address of the next instruction to be processed.
Address
A memory location in RAM
Memory Address Register (MAR)
A component in the CPU that holds the address of the data or instruction to be located in the RAM.
Address Bus
Wires used for the transmission of addresses between componenets in a computer.
Memory Data Register (MDR)
A componenet in the CPU that holds the data or instructions that are fetched from RAM.
Data Bus
wires used for the transmission of data and instructions between componenets in a computer
Current instructions register (CIR)
A register that is built into the CU that holds the current instruction that is being processed in the CPU
Control Unit (CU)
The component in the CPU that controls all the operations in the CPU
Instruction Set
A set of commands that can be processed by a certain CPU
Arthmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
The components in the CPU that performs all the mathematical and logical operations required when processing data and instructions.
Accumulator (ACC)
A register that is built into the ALU that stores the result of any interim calculations.
Control Bus
Wires used for the transmission of controld signial between componenets in a computer.
Core
The part of the CPU that contains all the componenets that are used to perform the fetch - decode - execute cycle.
Clock Speed
The number of fetch decode execute cycles that can be performed in a second.
Cache
A type of storage that is built in the CPU to store the most frequently used data and instructions.
Output Device
A device that can be used to obtain that results of data that have been proccessed.
Sensor
A type of input device that is used to capture data from its immediate environment.
Automated System
A system that is designed to operate without the need for any human intervention.
Primary Storage
A type of storage that is directly accessed by the CPU
Secondary Storage
A type of storage that is designed to store data permanently, until it is deleted by the user.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
A type of primary storage that stores the start up instruction for the computer.
Magnetic Storage
A type of secondary storage that uses the properties of magnetism to store data.
Optical Storage
A type of secondary storage that uses lasers to store data.
Solid - State Storage
A type of secondary storage that uses transistors to store data.
Semi-Conductor chips
An electronic circuit where transistors are set on semiconducter materials such as silicon.
Cell
The intersection of the rows and columns of transistors in solid-state storage.
Transistors
A device that acts as a switch or gate for electronic signals.
Control gate
A componenet that controls the flow of the elctrical current.
Floating gate
A compoonent that can store electrical charge.
Virtual Memory
A type of memory that can be used as an extenstion to the RAM
Page
A unit of data
Cloud Storage
data storage that is owned by a third party and accessed by the user using the internet.
Server
A component that acts as a centeral reasource for the storage of data and application or for providing a service.
Network
computers and devices that are joined together using cables or wireless technology.
Network Interface Card (NIC)
The component in a computer that is used to connect it to a network.
router
A network component that examies a data packet to obtain its destination address and then forward the packet to this address.
Transmission media
The cables that are used to transfer data in a network.
Media Access Control (MAC) address
The unique address that is given NIC by the manufacturer
Data packet
A unit of data that is used to transmit data across a network.
Static IP
An IP address that does not change each time the device connects to a network.
Dynamic IP
An IP address that can change each time the device connect to a network.
