TTS1033 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology

The system unit is the case that houses the electronic components of the computer system. Sometimes called the chassis

 Motherboard
Processor Memory Bus

Line Adapter cards Power supply Ports Drive bays

 Main

circuit board of the system unit Contains expansion slots, processor chips, and memory slots Also called system board

The computer does it primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see. The control center, called CPU is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instruction. All computers, large and small must have at least one CPU CPU consists of two parts : the control unit and Arithmetic/logic Unit

 The

CU contains circuitry that uses electrical signals to direct entire computer system to carry out, or execute stored program instructions. The CU not executes the program instructions, but just directs other part of system to do so. The CU must communicate with ALU and memory.

 The

ALU contains the electronic circuitry that executes all arithmetic and logical operations The ALU performs four kinds of arithmetic operations. comparison, and logical operations

 This

section will explain the way CPU executes one instruction in a computer program. Many PC can execute instructions in less than one millionth of a second. Each time the CPU executes an instruction, it takes a series of steps. The complete series of steps is called a machine cycle. A machine cycle can be divided into two smaller cycles. These are :

instruction cycle. execution cycle.

 Fetching

Before the CPU can execute an instruction, the control unit must retrieve or fetch a command or data from the computer's memory. Before a command can be executed, the control unit must decode the command into instruction set.

Decoding

 Executing

When the command is executed, the CPU carried out the instructions in order by converting them into macrocode. The CPU may be required to store the result of an instruction in memory.

Storing

computer circuit represents the 0 or the 1 electronically by the presence or absence of an electrical charge

Most computers are digital Recognize only two discrete states: on or off Use a binary system to recognize two states

Use number system with two unique digits: 0 and 1, called bits (short for binary digits)
Byte - eight (8) bits grouped together as a unit Provides enough different combinations of 0s and 1s to represent 256 individual characters (numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, punctuation marks, and other) Word the number of bits the CPU processes as a unit

Typically a whole number of bytes The larger the word, the more powerful the computer Personal computers typically 32 or 64 bits in length

 ASCII

(American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is the most widely used coding scheme to represent data

 Electronic

components that store instructions, data, and results Consists of one or more chips on motherboard or other circuit board Each byte stored in unique location called an address, similar to seats in a concert hall

 The

system unit contains two types of memory:

Volatile memory
Loses its contents when power is turned off Example includes RAM

Nonvolatile memory
Does not lose contents when power is removed Examples include ROM, flash memory, and CMOS

Also known as primary storage, primary memory, main storage, internal storage and main memory. Memory keeps the instructions and data for whatever programs you happen to be using at the moment. Most RAM is volatile, it is lost when computers power is turned off Memory chips that can be read from and written to by processor The more RAM a computer has, the faster it responds

Dynamic RAM
Must be continuously refreshed by CPU or it loses its contents Used for personal computer memory because of its size and cost advantage. Dynamic RAM is more commonly used for personal computer memory

Static RAM

Retains its contents with intervention from CPU Faster and more expensive than DRAM static RAM chips are preferred when energy efficiency is a concern. Static RAM chips are often used in cars, household appliances and handheld electronic devices.

 Helps

speed computer processes by storing frequently used instructions and data Also called memory cache

 Memory

chips that store permanent data and instructions Nonvolatile memory, it is not lost when computers power is turned off Contains programs and data permanently recorded into memory at the factory

Cannot be changed by user Not volatile: contents do not disappear when power is lost

 Nonvolatile

memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten. Used with PDAs, smart phones, printers, digital cameras, automotive devices, audio players, digital voice recorders, and pagers Nonvolatile RAM

Used in cellular phones, digital cameras, and some handheld computers Flash memory chips resemble credit cards Smaller than disk drive and require less power

 Complementary

metal-oxide semiconductor

memory Used in some RAM chips, flash memory chips, and other types of memory chips Uses battery power to retain information when other power is turned off Stores date, time, and computers startup information

 Expansion

Slot An opening, or socket, on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card expansion slot

With

Plug and Play, the computer automatically can configure adapter cards and other peripherals as you install them

Adapter Cards Enhances system unit or provides connections to external devices called peripherals Also called an expansion card

Unlike adapter cards, you can change removable flash memory device without having to open the system unit or restart the computer. Removable flash memory includes memory cars, USB flash drives, and PC Cards/ExpressCard modules. An ExpressCard module adds memory, storage, sound, fax/modem, communications, and other capabilities to notebook computers A flash memory card allows users to transfer data from mobile devices to desktop computers USB Flash drive An PC card adds various capabilities to computers

 Port

connects external devices to system

unit Connector joins cable to peripheral Types of ports:

1.

Serial port
Transmits one bit of data at a time Connects slow-speed devices, such as mouse, keyboard, modem

2.

3.

Parallel port Connects devices that can transfer more than one bit at a time, such as a printer USB ports A USB port can connect up to 127 different peripherals together with a single connector You can attach multiple peripherals using a single USB port with a USB hub

4.

5.

FireWire ports Connects multiple types of devices that require faster data transmission speeds Special-purpose ports Allow users to attach specialized peripherals or transmit data to wireless devices MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) port, eSATA port, SCSI port, IrDA (Infrared Data Association) port, Bluetooth port

 On

a notebook computer, the ports are on the back, front, and/or sides

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 Channel

that allows devices inside computer to communicate with each other System bus connects processor and RAM Bus width determines number of bits transmitted at one time expansion bus Allows processor to communicate with peripherals

 Opening

inside system unit used to install additional equipment Drive bays typically hold disk drives

 Converts

AC Power into DC Power Fan keeps system unit components cool External peripherals might use an AC adapter, which is an external power supply