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Questions and Answers
What does a temperature sensor primarily measure?
What does a temperature sensor primarily measure?
What is a primary application of moisture sensors?
What is a primary application of moisture sensors?
How do humidity sensors differ from moisture sensors?
How do humidity sensors differ from moisture sensors?
What function do light sensors perform?
What function do light sensors perform?
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Which of the following is NOT a common application of temperature sensors?
Which of the following is NOT a common application of temperature sensors?
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What component stores the address of the next instruction to be executed in the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
What component stores the address of the next instruction to be executed in the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
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During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, after fetching an instruction, where is it temporarily stored?
During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, after fetching an instruction, where is it temporarily stored?
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What does the control unit (CU) send along the address bus during the fetch dead-execute cycle?
What does the control unit (CU) send along the address bus during the fetch dead-execute cycle?
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What happens to the Program Counter (PC) after fetching an instruction?
What happens to the Program Counter (PC) after fetching an instruction?
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Which register is responsible for holding the currently executing instruction?
Which register is responsible for holding the currently executing instruction?
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What must happen first in the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
What must happen first in the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
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In the fetch-decode-execute cycle, what role does the Memory Data Register (MDR) play?
In the fetch-decode-execute cycle, what role does the Memory Data Register (MDR) play?
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What is the purpose of the Control Unit (CU) during the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
What is the purpose of the Control Unit (CU) during the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
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What is the main responsibility of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
What is the main responsibility of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
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Which of the following is NOT a feature of the von Neumann architecture?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of the von Neumann architecture?
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What does the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) enable the processor to do?
What does the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) enable the processor to do?
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Which component is directly associated with executing instructions in the CPU?
Which component is directly associated with executing instructions in the CPU?
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What is a significant advancement introduced by the von Neumann architecture?
What is a significant advancement introduced by the von Neumann architecture?
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How does the CPU access memory in the von Neumann architecture?
How does the CPU access memory in the von Neumann architecture?
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What is the primary function of the microcontroller in a capacitive touch screen?
What is the primary function of the microcontroller in a capacitive touch screen?
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Which of the following features distinguishes projective capacitive touch screens from surface capacitive screens?
Which of the following features distinguishes projective capacitive touch screens from surface capacitive screens?
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Which of the following statements about the CPU is correct?
Which of the following statements about the CPU is correct?
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What disadvantage is associated with capacitive touch screens compared to resistive touch screens?
What disadvantage is associated with capacitive touch screens compared to resistive touch screens?
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Which data element does the Control Unit (CU) primarily manage in a CPU?
Which data element does the Control Unit (CU) primarily manage in a CPU?
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Why does wearing gloves typically prevent a touch from being registered on a capacitive touch screen?
Why does wearing gloves typically prevent a touch from being registered on a capacitive touch screen?
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What role does the Memory Data Register (MDR) play in the CPU?
What role does the Memory Data Register (MDR) play in the CPU?
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Which type of touch screen allows for multi-touch interactions such as pinching or sliding?
Which type of touch screen allows for multi-touch interactions such as pinching or sliding?
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Which type of operations is the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) capable of performing?
Which type of operations is the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) capable of performing?
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How does a finger alter the capacitive touch screen's electrostatic field?
How does a finger alter the capacitive touch screen's electrostatic field?
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What is a common feature of both surface and projective capacitive touch screens?
What is a common feature of both surface and projective capacitive touch screens?
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What is the primary physical principle that allows capacitive touch screens to function?
What is the primary physical principle that allows capacitive touch screens to function?
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What is the primary function of an analogue to digital converter (ADC)?
What is the primary function of an analogue to digital converter (ADC)?
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Which of the following types of data can be converted by an ADC?
Which of the following types of data can be converted by an ADC?
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Why is it necessary for a computer to use an ADC?
Why is it necessary for a computer to use an ADC?
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What role does feedback play in a sensor system using an ADC?
What role does feedback play in a sensor system using an ADC?
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What is the reason analogue data needs interpretation?
What is the reason analogue data needs interpretation?
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Which of the following is an example of analogue data?
Which of the following is an example of analogue data?
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What is the relation between ADC and DAC?
What is the relation between ADC and DAC?
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How does the output from a microprocessor impact subsequent sensor readings in a feedback system?
How does the output from a microprocessor impact subsequent sensor readings in a feedback system?
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What does doubling the number of cores in a CPU not guarantee?
What does doubling the number of cores in a CPU not guarantee?
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Which of the following components is NOT commonly associated with a CPU?
Which of the following components is NOT commonly associated with a CPU?
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What role does cache memory play in relation to CPU performance?
What role does cache memory play in relation to CPU performance?
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In a multi-core CPU structure with 8 cores, what is one major drawback mentioned?
In a multi-core CPU structure with 8 cores, what is one major drawback mentioned?
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Which of the following components is responsible for executing instructions in a CPU?
Which of the following components is responsible for executing instructions in a CPU?
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What could be a consequence of increasing the number of CPUs in a system?
What could be a consequence of increasing the number of CPUs in a system?
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Which unit in the CPU handles the flow of data and instructions?
Which unit in the CPU handles the flow of data and instructions?
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What does MAR stand for in the context of a CPU?
What does MAR stand for in the context of a CPU?
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Which component directly interacts with the main memory in a CPU architecture?
Which component directly interacts with the main memory in a CPU architecture?
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Which of the following elements is crucial for the statistical recording of active instructions in a CPU?
Which of the following elements is crucial for the statistical recording of active instructions in a CPU?
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What is the primary function of the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU?
What is the primary function of the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU?
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In a dual-core CPU, each core operates as an independent unit but relies on what for efficiency?
In a dual-core CPU, each core operates as an independent unit but relies on what for efficiency?
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What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) specifically process?
What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) specifically process?
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Why might a system utilizing multi-core CPUs struggle with performance increases?
Why might a system utilizing multi-core CPUs struggle with performance increases?
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Study Notes
Computer Science Study Notes
- The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a vital component in modern computer systems.
- It is often implemented as an integrated circuit on a single microchip.
- The CPU is responsible for executing all instructions and processing data in a computer application.
- Early computers required manual data input; the stored program computer concept, developed in the mid-1940s by John von Neumann, revolutionized this.
- The von Neumann architecture's fundamental concepts include a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that directly accesses memory for programs and data.
- Stored programs are sequences of instructions executed sequentially.
- The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is incorporated within the CPU, performing mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and logical operations.
- Multiple ALUs are possible in a single computer, each handling specific functions.
- System buses (connections) transport data around computers.
- Address Bus carries memory addresses between memory and CPU.
- Data Bus carries data between memory and CPU/input/output devices.
- Control Bus carries signals from the control unit to other components in the computer.
- Crucial components of a CPU include the Control Unit (CU), Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Memory Address Register (MAR), Memory Data Register (MDR), Program Counter (PC), and others.
- Random Access Memory (RAM) is a component of the computer's memory unit.
- RAM stores instructions and data needed for processing during regular operation.
- Data and programs from the hard disk drive are temporarily stored in RAM.
- The read/write operations in RAM are considerably faster than those on the hard disk drive.
- The contents of RAM are lost if the computer is powered off.
- Registers are fundamental components within the von Neumann architecture.
- Current Instruction Register(CIR) stores the current instruction being processed.
- Accumulator (ACC) stores data temporarily during ALU calculations.
- Memory Address Register (MAR) stores the memory address being read or written to.
- Memory Data (Buffer) Register (MDR) temporarily holds data read from memory or about to be written.
- Program Counter (PC) stores the address of the next instruction to be processed.
- The Control Unit (CU) coordinates the entire process by fetching instructions from memory, decoding them, directing the ALU for operations, and coordinating the input/output devices.
- The Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle is fundamental to how modern computers function.
- The Control Unit (CU) fetches an instruction, decodes it, and sends signals through the control bus.
- Other important components in the CPU are the MAR, MDR, and PC, along with the ALU.
- Clock speed, cache memory, and cores are auxiliary elements that significantly affect a computer's overall operating speed.
- Clock speed measures the frequency of electrical pulses in the CPU, measured in gigahertz (GHz).
- Higher clock speeds generally lead to faster processing.
- Cores are separate processing units in a CPU; more cores allow for parallel processing, improving performance.
- Cache memory is a high-speed memory located within the CPU, holding frequently used data and instructions.
- Instruction Set: Operations are made up of opcodes and operands.
- Opcodes give specific instructions for the CPU to execute; different companies/processors have their own instruction sets.
- The opcode and operands are stored on a hard disk and then loaded.
- The opcode gives the CPU a specific precise job related to what is executed.
- An operand is data required for the specific job as detailed by the opcode and may be a data item or an address location.
- Example (X86 Instruction Set, an early version):
- Load (opcode 10), Add (opcode 11), Store (opcode 12)
- Example (X86 Instruction Set, an early version):
- Embedded Systems use a combination of hardware and software to perform specific tasks.
- Vending Machines and Lighting Systems present embedded systems that need specific functionality within the device.
- Embedded systems typically are low-power devices using batteries.
- Embedded systems can be programmed or non-programmable.
- Some embedded systems can be upgraded via programming and others can’t and require replacements if new data needs to be implemented..
- Input Devices: Keyboards, optical mice, touchscreens, scanners, barcode readers, digital cameras
- Output Devices: Monitor, touchscreens, projector, printer, speakers, actuators
- The choice of output device depends on the intended use of the processed data.
- A touch screen is made of glass and is used to control the device via touch.
- Different types of touch screens exist, such as resistive, capacitive, and infrared.
- Capacitive touch screens function by detecting the change in electrical field produced by a finger touching the screen.
- Resistive touch screens apply pressure to change the resistance, or increase in voltage.
- Infrared touch screens interrupt an infrared beam when a touch occurs to establish the location.
- Scanners convert images or text on paper into digital format for editing or manipulation.
- Optical character recognition (OCR) is a feature of some scanners converting scan converted images into editable texts.
- 3D scanners work in 3 dimensions in contrast to 2D and use reflected laser light to capture the images/3D model from an object
- Barcode Readers: Use infrared light to convert bar codes into digital values.
- The stored info/data within a barcode is checked and retrieved (typically), from a database during the 'purchase process'.
- Digital Cameras/Webcams capture a view of the scene as a digital image.
- Microphones convert sound into digital information used for videoconferencing.
- Primary Memory is volatile (RAM) or non-volatile (ROM), for temporary or permanent stored data respectively; it can be accessed directly by the CPU.
- Secondary Storage (HDD, SSD, Optical Disks) store large quantities of data but the access time to retrieve info is usually slower than Primary Memory. The HDD and SSD are non-volatile which implies the data is kept even if the device is turned off.
- Virtual memory uses part of a HDD/SSD to temporarily store data, giving the illusion of unlimited RAM.
- Disk thrashing is the negative performance impact from repeatedly moving data in and out of a hard disk.
- Cloud Storage stores data remotely, usually on many remote servers, and is accessed through a network connection.
- Important factors for selecting memory include access time, capacity, cost, and physical form-factor (portable or fixed).
- Different types of memory are tailored for different applications (e.g., high-speed in-memory database vs storage backup for long-term data preservation).
- Various computer/network components such as routers, modems, and network interface cards (NICs) facilitate network communication.
- Routers enable networks to communicate via converting data format and protocols, also ensuring data packets are correctly routed to the destination.
- A LAN (Local Area Network) uses unique MAC addresses for device identification (computers, printers).
- Each device has a Unique MAC address created either in the factory or by the company that manufactured the device.
- IP addresses are given by the ISP and are needed for network communication outside of a LAN.
- A device’s unique IP address is commonly changed while on a network, but this may vary.
- A Static IP address is one which is permanently assigned to the user/device.
- A Dynamic IP address is one which is often assigned temporarily to a user/device (the address varies each time the device connects to a network).
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Description
Test your knowledge on various types of sensors including temperature, moisture, and humidity sensors. The quiz also covers important concepts related to the fetch-decode-execute cycle in computer architecture. See how well you understand these fundamental topics!
