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

Term

Definition.

Binary

A system of communication that uses 2 symbols only

ADC

Analog to Digital Conversion. 9Acronym).The process of converting an analog signal to digital.

Amplitude

Size or magnitude of a signal (wave)

Analog

Real (physical) enity - 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 - can not 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 Analog Conversion. (Acronym). The process of taking a  digital signal and converting  it into an analog signal.  (E.g., reading a mp3 file (digital) and converting that into a signal that is sent to speakers so the music can be heard)

Denary

Base 10. 

Digital

A system where information is encoded discreetly.

Discrete

(note spelling - single 'e'). 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 ←→ optical)

Overflow

When the addition of 2 binary numbers (operands_ has a carry on the last (MSB) bit so the result has more bits than the operands.

Parallel

When 2 or more components are joined side by side

Prefix

The letters at 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 end of  a number to indicate binary or denary.

e.g., 1110_{2  =} 14₁₀