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Notes
Ans:
The CPU processes instructions and data that are input into the computer so that the result can be output.
∙ It processes/executes instructions/data
5. What is the purpose of the components in a CPU, in a computer that has a Von Neumann
architecture
Ans:
An instruction is fetched from RAM into the CPU, where it is temporarily stored in the MDR.
The instruction is then sent along the data bus to the Control Unit (CU) to be decoded .
The ALU will then perform any Calculations and logic operations that are required to execute
the instruction
6. What is meant by clock speed?
Ans:
The (maximum) number of FDE cycles/instructions a CPU can perform in a second.
It regulates the number of fetch–decode–execute cycles the CPU can perform in a second.
Ex: 2.4Ghz clock speed-: It means that The CPU completes) 2.4 billion cycles/clock pulses per
second
7. The CPU contains registers and buses. Explain register & buses.
Ans:
Registers:
It is used to store or holds data / address / instruction temporarily.
The different registers used are:
- Memory address register // MAR
- Memory data register//MDR
- Program counter // PC
- Current instruction register // CIR
- Accumulator // ACC
Buses:
Address bus :Transmit/It carries addresses throughout the computer system. Between the CPU
and memory, the address bus is unidirectional (i.e. bits can travel in one direction only);
Data bus: Transmit / carries data between components in the CPU. The data bus is bidirectional
(allowing data to be sent in both directions along the bus). This means data can be carried from
CPU to memory (and vice versa) and to and from input/output devices.
Control bus: Transmits control signals from the control unit to other components in the CPU. The
control bus is also bidirectional. It carries signals from the control unit (CU) to all the other
computer components. It is usually 8-bits wide
8. Accumulator:
Ans: To temporarily store data • It stores the result of interim calculations
10. How is MDR and ALU used in the Fetch execute cycle?
To carry out a set of instructions, the CPU first of all fetches some data and instructions from
memory and stores them in suitable registers. Both the address bus and data bus are used in this
process. Once this is done, each instruction needs to be decoded before finally being executed.
This is all known as the Fetch–Decode–Execute cycle.
Fetch: Both data and instruction can be stored in MDR. In the Fetch–Decode–Execute cycle, the
next instruction is fetched from the memory address currently stored in the MAR and the
instruction is stored in the MDR. The contents of the MDR are then copied to the Current
Instruction Register (CIR). The PC is then incremented (increased by 1) so that the next
instruction can be then be processed.
Decode The instruction is then decoded so that it can be interpreted in the next part of the cycle.
Execute The CPU passes the decoded instruction as a set of control signals to the appropriate
components within the computer system. This allows each instruction to be carried out in its
logical sequence.
11. Describe the Factors that affect the CPU performance
Cores, cache and internal clock
Ans:
Multiple Cores instead of single core: More instructions can be processed simultaneously
Increase in clockspeed: - Increases the performance of the CPU. The Tasks can be performed quicker
because more FDE cycles/instructions can be processed in a second
Cache: Cache memory is located within the CPU itself, which means it has much faster data access times
than RAM. Cache memory stores frequently used instructions and data that need to be accessed faster,
which improves CPU performance. When a CPU wishes to read memory, it will first check out the cache
and then move on to main memory/RAM if the required data isn’t there. The larger the cache memory
size the better the CPU performance.
The width of the address bus and data bus (as mentioned earlier) can also affect computer performance
and needs to be taken into account.
Ex: The wider the bus, the more memory locations that can be directly addressed at any given time, e.g.
a bus of width 16bits can address 216 (65536) memory locations whereas a bus width of 32bits allows
4294967296 memory locations to be simultaneously addressed.
the wider the data bus the larger the word length that can be transported.
13. Describe the purpose and characteristics of an embedded system and identify devices in which they
are commonly used
Ans:
An embedded system is used to perform a dedicated function, e.g. domestic appliances, cars, security
systems, lighting systems or vending machines.
This is different to a general purpose computer that is used to perform many different functions, e.g. a
personal computer (PC) or a laptop
Ans:
Every computer system receives commands and data, from the real world, via input devices
Input devices converts inputs into digital data which can be processed.
Ex: keyboard, optical mouse, microphone, barcode scanner, digital camera, QR code scanner,
touch screen (resistive, capacitive and infra-red), 2D and 3D scanners
An output device shows the results of the processing in a way humans can understand
In a general purpose computer system, the main output device is the monitor/screen
Other output devices include projectors, printers, speakers and actuators
16. Jamelia has a greenhouse that she uses to grow fruit and vegetables. She needs to make sure the
temperature in the greenhouse stays between 25°C and 30°C (inclusive).
A system that has a temperature sensor and a microprocessor is used to maintain the temperature
in the greenhouse.
Describe how the system uses the temperature sensor and the microprocessor to maintain the
temperature in the greenhouse.
Ans:
Sensors send data to microprocessor and this Data is converted to digital (using ADC) −
if one value or neither values are within range/out of range/match no action is taken
If both values are out of range/in range/match microprocessor sends signal to switch light on
When timer reaches 1 minute, microprocessor sends signal to switch light off
Ans: Primary memory is the part of the computer memory which can be accessed directly from the
CPU; this includes random access memory (RAM) and readonly memory (ROM) memory chips.
Primary memory allows the CPU to access applications and services temporarily stored in memory
locations.
they are non-volatile (the contents are not lost after powering off the computer)
they are permanent memories (the contents cannot be changed or written to by the user, the computer or
any application/program)
the contents can only be read
they are often used to store data that the computer needs to access when powering up for the first time
(the basic input/output system (BIOS)); these are known as the start-up instructions (or bootstrap)
20. Explain the primary storage RAM:
It stores
Secondary Storage:
1) Magnetic
2) Optical
3) SSD
24. Describe the operation of magnetic, optical and solid-state (flash memory) storage and give
examples of each
a) Magnetic Storage:
Platters and Tracks:
The magnetic disk consists of one or more circular, flat platters. These platters are divided into concentric
circles called tracks. Each track can be thought of as a separate data storage area on the disk.
The platters are mounted on a spindle, and the entire assembly spins at a high speed. The spinning motion
is crucial for the disk's operation, creating a continuous surface for data read and write operations.
Read/Write Arm:
Positioned above each platter is a read/write arm. This arm is like a tiny, moveable lever that can access
different tracks on the spinning platter. It moves back and forth across the platter's surface.
The read/write arm has a read/write head at its end, which can magnetically read or write data. When
reading data, the head detects the magnetic orientation of tiny areas on the platter's surface. When
writing data, it changes the magnetic orientation of those areas.
Electromagnetic Operation:
The read/write head uses electromagnets to perform its operations. When writing data, the head generates
a magnetic field that alters the magnetic state of the surface, encoding binary information (0s and 1s).
When reading data, the head senses the changes in the magnetic field to retrieve the stored information.
In summary,
Storage device has platters
Platters/disk divided into tracks
Storage platter / disk is spun –
It Has a read/write arm that moves across storage media
It Read/writes data using electromagnets .
It Uses magnetic fields to control magnetic dots of data
This Magnetic field determines binary value
Advantage:
magnetic is high capacity
Magnetic is cheaper to buy for storage per unit than solid state
Magnetic is capable of more of read/write requests over time and has has more longevity
whereas SSD has more limited number of read/write requests (before it is no longer usable)
Magnetic is cheaper per unit of data –
Solid-state storage is non-volatile. This means that the data is not lost when the power is turned off.
Solid-state storage is made of transistors that are laid out in a grid.
Uses NAND/NOR technology /.
Gates are used to control the flow of the electrons through the transistors. This changes the data in the
transistors from 1 to 0, or from 0 to 1.
When data is stored the transistor is converted from 1 to 0 / 0 to 1 − Writes (and reads) sequentially
Example:
SD card
USB flash memory drive
Advantages:
Solid-state is more energy efficient
Solid-state runs cooler so will not overheat
Solid state has faster read/write speeds to handle volume of traffic It is small in size // compact //
lightweight // portable
It has low power consumption
It runs quietly
It runs at a cool temperature
It is robust when dropped // durable
Fast access/read/write speed
High capacity
Not affected by magnets
c) Optical storage:
25. Explain how the laser is used to store and read data from the disk.
26. Explain two differences between primary storage and secondary storage
Ans:-
Primary storage is directly accessible by the CPU whereas secondary storage is not directly
accessible by the CPU
Primary storage stores the data that is currently in use/for booting the system whereas secondary
storage stores data permanently for the user
Primary storage normally has a small capacity whereas secondary storage normally has a larger
capacity
Some parts of primary storage are volatile whereas all secondary storage is non volatile
Virtual memory:
27. Describe what is meant by virtual memory, how it is created and used and why it is necessary
Ans: . To extend RAM capacity, To stop the software from crashing when RAM is full. To allow the computer
to process large amount of data.
Cloud Storage:
Ans: A collection of servers that store data in a remote location / and that allows data to be accessed remotely
The data are (normally) accessed using an internet connection
The data can be accessed from any location meaning that employees can work from anywhere with a
connection
The hardware is owned and maintained by a third party meaning that the company are not responsible
for this- Can increase the storage needed easily without needing to buy new hardware
Do not need to house the hardware needed costs can be saved on the space saved for this
Disadvanatges:
Internet connection is needed and if this is not available the data cannot be accessed
Employees could be pressured to work outside of hours as they can access the data from any
location
May be less secure // by example
May lose access to them if internet connection lost/not available
Reliant on a third party maintaining the hardware // by example Could incur an extra/ongoing
fee/cost
3.4 Network hardware
30. Understand that a computer needs a network interface card (NIC) to access a network
Ans:
31. Understand what is meant by and the purpose of a media access control (MAC) address, including its
structure
Ans:
This address is assigned by the manufacturer and is used to uniquely identify the device .
MAC addresses are usually written as hexadecimal.
It is the address that is allocated to the component by the manufacturer, which is used to uniquely
identify the device.
MAC addresses are created using the manufacturer code and the serial code.
First part is manufacturer ID
Second part is serial number
Each part has 3 pairs of numbers // Each part has 6 numbers // 6 pairs of 2-digits //
It consists of 12 numbers between 00 and FF separated by :
Each part is 3 bytes // Is 6 bytes long // Is 48 bits long
• Represented using hexadecimal
It is a unique address
It is assigned by the manufacturer
It can be used to identify a device
It contains the manufacturer ID/code/number It contains the serial code/number
It is written in hexadecimal It has 6 bytes/48 bits/6 pairs of digits
Does not (usually) change // static
32. a) Understand what is meant by and the purpose of an internet protocol (IP) address
Ans: An IP address is allocated by the network and they can be static or dynamic. Ans: this address is
assigned by the network and used to identify a device on a network. Router would assign the IPv4 address to
the computer
Static Address:
Static IP addresses are permanently assigned to a device by the internet service provider (ISP);
they don’t change each time a device logs onto the internet.
» an online database
Dynamic: A dynamic internet protocol (IP) address is allocated to the computer when it is connected to the
network. It can be used to uniquely identify a device (on a network)
IPV6:
Differences
Ans:
A router sends data to a specific destination on a network/a device that forwards packets to their correct
destinations in a network
A router can assign IP addresses
A router can connect a local network to the internet
It can connect multiple devices and automatically assign them an IP address.
The router takes data transmitted in one format from a network (which is using a particular protocol)
and converts the data to a protocol and format understood by another network, thereby allowing them
to communicate.
Routers inspect the data package sent to it from any computer on any of the networks connected to it.
Since every computer on the same network has the same part of an internet protocol (IP) address, the router is
able to send the data packet to the appropriate switch, and the data will then be delivered to the correct device
using the MAC destination address.
If the MAC address doesn’t match any device connected to the switch, it passes on to another switch on the
same network until the appropriate device is found. Routers can be wired or wireless devices.