O Level Computer Hardware Flashcards

0.0(0)
studied byStudied by 0 people
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
Card Sorting

1/46

flashcard set

Earn XP

Description and Tags

Flashcards based on lecture notes about Computer Hardware.

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced

No study sessions yet.

47 Terms

1
New cards

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is responsible for the execution and processing of all instructions and data in a computer. It consists of the control unit (CU), arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), registers, and buses.

2
New cards

Microprocessor

An integrated circuit (microchip) containing the ALU and control unit, enabling it to interpret and execute instructions and carry out arithmetic operations.

3
New cards

Von Neumann Architecture

A computer architecture based on the idea of a stored program computer, featuring a central processing unit (CPU), direct memory access for the processor, storage of programs and data in computer memories, and sequential execution of instructions.

4
New cards

Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)

A component of the CPU that performs arithmetic (e.g., +, -, shifting) and logic (e.g., AND, OR) operations.

5
New cards

Control Unit (CU)

A component of the CPU that reads instructions from memory, interprets them using the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle, and generates control signals to other components.

6
New cards

Program Counter (PC)

A register that stores the address of the next instruction to be read from memory.

7
New cards

Current Instruction Register (CIR)

Stores the current instruction being decoded and executed.

8
New cards

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Stores the address of the memory location currently being read from or written to.

9
New cards

Memory Data/Buffer Register (MDR/MBR)

Stores data which has just been read from memory or data which is about to be written to memory.

10
New cards

System Buses

Connect the CPU to memory and input/output devices, including the address bus, data bus, and control bus.

11
New cards

Address Bus

A unidirectional bus that carries addresses throughout the computer system, determining the number of memory locations that can be directly addressed.

12
New cards

Data Bus

A bidirectional bus that carries data between the CPU, memory, and input/output devices, with the width determining the word length that can be transported.

13
New cards

Control Bus

A bidirectional bus that carries signals from the CU to all other computer components, typically 8-bits wide, used for control signals.

14
New cards

Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

The process by which the CPU carries out instructions, involving fetching data and instructions from memory, decoding each instruction, and then executing it.

15
New cards

Cache Memory

A high-speed memory that stores frequently used instructions and data for faster access, improving processor performance.

16
New cards

Cores

Independent processing units within a CPU (ALU, CU, and registers) that can improve computer performance, such as dual-core or quad-core processors.

17
New cards

Instruction Set

A set of operations decoded in sequence by a computer system, consisting of an opcode (specifying the operation) and an operand (the data or register to be acted on).

18
New cards

Embedded System

A combination of hardware and software designed to carry out a specific set of functions, often based on microcontrollers, microprocessors, or system on chips (SoC).

19
New cards

Barcode Readers

Scanners that use a red laser or LED light source to read barcodes, which represent digits 0 to 9 as a series of dark and light parallel lines, used for identifying items and automatic stock control.

20
New cards

QR Codes

A type of barcode made up of a matrix of filled-in dark squares on a light background, holding more information than traditional barcodes and read by a camera on a smartphone or tablet.

21
New cards

Digital Cameras

Cameras that capture images on photodiodes (CCD) and convert them into pixels, forming an electronic matrix of the image, often used with microprocessors to control camera functions.

22
New cards

Keyboards

Common data entry devices, either physical (USB or Bluetooth) or virtual (touchscreen), where each character has an ASCII value that the computer detects.

23
New cards

Microphones

Devices that convert sound into electric currents of varying amplitude, used for inputting text, voiceovers, and as sensors.

24
New cards

Optical Mouse

A pointing device that uses tiny cameras and a red LED light source to calculate its position, offering more reliability and working on any surface compared to a mechanical mouse.

25
New cards

2D Scanners

Devices used to scan documents and convert the information into an electronic format, often used with OCR software to convert scanned text into a text file.

26
New cards

3D Scanners

Devices that scan solid objects and produce a 3D image, used in CAD software and 3D printing, using lasers, X-rays, magnetic resonance, or white light.

27
New cards

Touchscreens

Input devices that allow users to interact with a device by touching the screen, using technologies like capacitive, infrared, and resistive touchscreens.

28
New cards

Actuators

Mechanical or electromechanical devices, such as relays, solenoids, or motors, used to control a process (e.g., starting/stopping a conveyor belt or opening/closing a valve).

29
New cards

Speakers

Output devices that produce sound from varying electric currents, using a paper/plastic cone, permanent magnet, and coil of wire.

30
New cards

Light Projectors

Devices used to project computer output onto a larger screen, using technologies like digital light processing (DLP) or liquid crystal display (LCD).

31
New cards

Inkjet Printers

Printers that rely on spraying liquid ink droplets onto paper, using thermal bubble or piezoelectric technology.

32
New cards

Laser Printers

Printers that rely on using dry powder ink (toner) melted onto the paper using a fuser.

33
New cards

3D Printers

Printers that produce solid objects by building up very thin layers of material, such as powdered resin, powdered metal, paper, or ceramics.

34
New cards

Sensors

Input devices that read physical properties from their surroundings (e.g., temperature or light) and send signals to a microprocessor, often through an ADC.

35
New cards

Primary Memory

Memory that is directly accessible by the CPU, including RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read-Only Memory).

36
New cards

Secondary Storage

Non-volatile storage devices (e.g., HDD, SSD) that store data for as long as required by the user, not directly addressable by the CPU.

37
New cards

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Volatile memory that the CPU can access and modify. Used as the working area of the computer where data currently being used is temporarily stored.

38
New cards

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Non-volatile memory that can only be read. Contains data that can't be changed and needs to be stored permanently (e.g., start-up routines).

39
New cards

Magnetic Storage

Secondary storage which stores data on platters coated in a magnetisable material, using read/write heads to access data in sectors and tracks.

40
New cards

Solid-State Storage

Secondary storage which controls the movement of electrons within NAND or NOR chips, storing data as 0s or 1s in tiny transistors.

41
New cards

Optical Storage

Secondary storage which uses laser light to read and write data on the disk surface, storing data in pits and lands.

42
New cards

Virtual Memory

A memory management technique that uses both RAM (physical memory) and swap space on a secondary storage device (HDD or SSD) to give the illusion of unlimited RAM.

43
New cards

Cloud Storage

Storing vast quantities of data on remote physical servers, with different types like public, private, and hybrid clouds.

44
New cards

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A hardware component needed to allow a device to connect to a network (e.g., the internet), containing the Media Access Control (MAC) address.

45
New cards

MAC Address

A unique identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC) for communication within a network.

46
New cards

IP Address

A numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication.

47
New cards

Routers

Networking devices that forward data packets between computer networks, ensuring data reaches its intended destination.