Term | Definition |
Control unit (CU) | is used to manage the execution of instructions |
Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) | is used to process and manipulate data |
Address | identifies where the data is being sent and retrieved. |
Data bus | is a wire which carries data between computer components. |
Address bus | is a wire which carries information of where data is to be sent. |
Control bus | carries signals from control unit |
Bus | is used to connect the different parts of a computer together. It is used to carry data or addresses to the different parts of a computer. |
Bit | is a single digit in a Binary number e.g. 0 or 1. |
Byte | a group of eight bits e.g. 00011001 |
Word | the group of bits that can be manipulated as a single unit by the CPU. A computer using a larger word size would generally operate faster (usually 16 |
Register | A register is used as a fast access temporary data store used for a specific purpose |
ROM (Read Only Memory) | is permanent and cannot be deleted or amended. ROM is non-volatile which means that when the computer is turned off the contents of ROM are maintained. |
Applications of ROM | is used for example to store the bootstrap program that starts the computer. |
RAM (Random Access Memory) | Data can be added |
Ram Cache memory | is a part of the main store between the CPU and the rest of the memory. Using cache memory can greatly reduce processing time. |
Disc Cache | section of memory for holding data temporarily that has been read from disc. |
Hard Disk Properties | Capacity varies from 20GB to 2TB. Found inside computer. Speed of access: fast/direct.Reasonably cheap. |
Handshaking | the exchange of signals between devices to establish their readiness to communicate. |
Analogue | is a continuous varying signal and digital consists of discrete patterns. |
Why is Analogue to digital conversion required? | will be required because voice is analogue and computers only accept digital input and would therefore need converting to digital. |