Year 10 Computer Science Vocab List. Data Representation And Communication T1

Binary

A system of communication that uses 2 symbols only.

ADC

Analog to Digital Conversion, the process of converting an analog signal to digital.

Amplitude

Size or magnitude of a signal (wave).

Analog

Real (physical) entity - or copy of something real, e.g. an analog watch displays 2 hands.

Collision

When 2 signals are sent at once and they interfere with each other.

Continuous

Values that blend smoothly into each other; cannot write down all possible continuous values.

Cross-talk

When signals within 1 wire affect signals in another wire.

Cycle

Part of a process that repeats.

DAC

Digital to Analog Conversion, the process of taking a digital signal and converting it into an analog signal.

Denary

Base 10.

Digital

A system where information is encoded discreetly.

Discrete

In distinct chunks; opposite of continuous.

Frequency

A measure of radio waves; high frequency radio waves can carry more data faster.

Magnitude

Size.

Medium

The physical ‘stuff’ a signal travels through, e.g., wires, air.

Modulation

Changing the form/shape of a signal, e.g., wireless to optical.

Overflow

When the addition of 2 binary numbers has a carry on the last bit, resulting in more bits than the operands.

Parallel

When 2 or more components are joined side by side.

Prefix

The letters at the start of a number, to indicate binary or denary.

Pulse

A single discrete part of a digital electrical signal.

Serial

When 2 or more components are connected end to end.

Skew

When signals in parallel wires arrive at their destination at slightly different times.

Suffix

A number/text at the end of a number to indicate binary or denary.

Bus

Set of wires connecting multiple devices together

Computer

Any device that can manipulate data

Peripheral Devices

Any (non-computational) device connected to a computer. E.g printer, speaker

Pulse Code Modulation

Technique to convert analog data to digital signal.

What is Method of ADC

 Sampling

 Quantization.

 Binary encoding.

 Line or block coding.

Sampling rate

Number of samples per second.

Sampling interval

T_s s

Quantization

A method of assigning integer values in a specific range to sampled instances.

Binary encoding

Each quantized samples is translated into equivalent binary codes . 

Line encoding

The binary digits/information inside the ADC device is then transformed to a digital signal so it can be transmitted.

Pulse Code Demodulation

Modulation process in reverse.

Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)

Uses sampled pulses to encode an analogue waveform

Pulse Width Modulation

Create an analog type signal from a constant digital type signal.

Duty Cycle

The duty cycle is how long the output is 'on' for in a given period.

Mean Value

Average perceived value

Duty Cycle * Maximum Value

Mean Amplitude

Duty Cycle * Maximum Amplitude

Max amplitude

256

ON Time

Duty Cycle x Period

Off Time

Period - ON Time

Mean

DutyCycle x Amplitude

Average signal amplitude

10

RAM slot

Hold and connect RAM modules

Runs apps efficently

Expands memory capacity

Can do multitasking

BIOS chip

Basic input/output system

Lets you access and set up your computer system at the most basic level

PCI-e slot

Connect various internal components in the computer system

CMOS backup battery

Retain system settings, boot systems and BIOS configurations

SATA Socket

Transmit data between the storage device and the computer

CPU socket

Is a processer socket

Connection allows a computer processor to connect to a motherboard

24 pin power socket

The main power cable which connects the motherboard to the power supply

USB port on Backplane

Connect USB device, keyboards, and mice

Period

Time for 1 cycle

RAM

Random access memory

Stores and opens files

Runs programs

Part of operating system

ROM

Read only Memory

Non violate

BIOS

Chip soldered into motherboard