Computer Concepts#
Hardware and Software#
The physical components of a computer system that you can touch and see.
Examples:
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Mouse
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Monitor
Keyboard
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Programs and operating systems that run on hardware and perform tasks.
Examples:
Windows
Apple
Android
Microsoft Word
Web browsers
How They Work Together
Software uses the hardware to store and process information, allowing users to interact with devices to perform tasks. The hardware provides the physical means, while the software provides the digital instructions to make it all happen.
Power Connectors#
An electrical component that serves as a vital link between a power source and a device, allowing electrical current to transfer and power the device.
Physical interface on apower cord and device that allows connection to an Alternating Current (AC) power supply, such as a wall outlet, to deliver electricity to power or charge the device.
An electrical component that safely and reliably transmits low-voltage direct current (DC) power from a source, such as an adapter, to an electronic device.
Ports and Connectors#
A standardized interface and connector for connecting electronic devices to computers, enabling both data transfer and power delivery to peripherals like keyboard, mouse, and printers, and storage devices.
Transmits high-quality digital audio and video signals between devices using a single cable connection.
A digital audio/video connection standard used to connect computers and otehr compatible devices. It’s most commonly used to transmit video and audio signals from a computer to an external display, like a monitor or projector.
Physical socket on a device, such as a computer, router, or game console, where you plug an Ethernet cable to create a stable, high-speed, wired network connection. It allows devices to communicate and share data within a local area network (LAN) or connect to the internet.
A hardware interface that allows high-speed data transfer, video output, and power delivery through a single port. Developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple, it combines technologies like PCI Express and DisplayPort. Thunderbolt is known for its speed and versatility, enabling connections to various peripherals like external hard drives, monitors, and docking stations.
An analog display interface standard and connector introduced by IBM in 1987. It uses 15-pin connector to transmit analog video signals from a computer to a monitor, projector, or TV, but its resolution capabilities are limited compared to modern digital standards like HDMI and DisplayPort. While VGA is outdated, it remains in use today due to its compatibility with older hardware and its widespread presence in professional and educational environments.
A standard, miniature connector, used in consumer electronics to connect devices, carrying analog audio signals from a source to an output or vice versa.
A standard video connector that transmits digital video signals between a computer and a display device, like a monitor or projector. It was developed as a replacement for the older VGA interface and offers a better picture quality by supporting purely digital signals. While DVI can also carry analog signals and support different variants like single-link and dual-link for higher resolutions. It has largely been replaced by more advanced interfaces like HDMI and DisplayPort.
Digital format connector. It comes in both single-link and dual-link formats. The difference between the dual-link connector provides more power and twice the data transmission rate compared to the single-link connector.
Analog format connector. This is the type used to connect a DVI card to a CRT monitor (an analog display device). Although the signal does undergo a digital-to-analog conversion, the result is of higher quality than when using a standard VGA cable.
Integrated format connector. It works with digital and analog equipment, acting as a DVI-D or DVI-A cable, but it won’t convert pure DVI-D output to analog. DVI-I has two variations: single-link and dual-link, and has 29-pin layout to accommodate multiple connections.
Types of Computers#
A class of extremely powerful computers, considered the fastest high-performance systems available at any given time.
Key Components
Multiple CPUs
Large Storage Capacity
Fast input/output
You use them WHEN:
Weather Forecasting: Predicting hurricanes, typhoons, climate changes.
Medical Research: Simulating how diseases spread, creating new medicines.
Space Exploration: Modeling galaxies, black holes, rocket launches.
Engineering: Testing car crashes or airplane designs, virtually, before real prototypes.
Science: Nuclear simulations, earthquake predictions, AI research.
Examples
The IBM 7030, introduced in 1960, was IBM’s first supercomputer, ranking as the fastest in the world for three years after its debut.
The CDC 6600 is arguably the first supercomputer which was marketed in 1964.
A digital computer designed for use by one person at a time.
Examples
IBM PC became the world’s most popular personal computer, made by Philip Donald Estridge in 1981.
Steve Wozniak designed the Apple II in 1977. The self-contained unit housed electronics, keyboard and power supply, with the BASIC language in permanent memory.
Portable, wireless computing device that is small enough to be used while held in the hand.
Typically powered by a self-contained battery and featuring a flat-panel display and built-in input devices like a touchscreen or keypad.
Examples
Tablet
Cellphones/smartphones
Laptop
An embedded system is a specialized computer system that is a combination of hardware and software.
It only performs their dedicated function, often visible as they are integrated within a device.
Domains of Embedded Systems
General computing
System control
Signal processing
Communication and network
Examples
ATMs
GPS systems
Software Components
Fundamental software tool used to write the source code for embedded applications, typically in languages like C or C++.
Hardware tool or software that precisely mimics the behavior and functions of a specific target processor or system.
Specialized tool used to identify, analyze, and resolve errors or malfunctions within the software and hardware of an embedded system.
Program that translates assembly language to machine code.
The process of translating human-readable, high-level source code (like C or C++) into machine-readable, low-level code (machine code) that a specific, often resource-constrained, embedded device’s processor can understand and execute.
Typically, software code is written in small modules and pieces. A linker, also called a link editor, is a tool that makes one or more object files and combines them to developer a single executable code.
Hardware Components
A crucial component of the embedded system design. It is an electrical device mainly used to power up the electrical load.
Memory is essential to store important information in the embedded computer system. Memory is integrated into a microcontroller or microprocessor.
Communication ports are used in embedded systems to establish communication with other embedded systems. Communication ports are utilized from the microcontroller, and for complex and advanced applications these ports are externally installed inside the embedded systems.
An embedded system is either a microcontroller-based or microprocessor-based system. They give a system computing power and are called integrated circuits. The embedded hardware performance is mainly dependent on the processor which is normally called the brain of the embedded system.
Sometimes you need to create a delay before a specific function. Timers and counters are used in such cases.
Input is required to interact with the embedded system. A sensor can be used to provide input to the system. The microcontroller used in the system can be configured as an input or output port.
A computer designed to share information or services with other computers, called clients.
Types of Servers
Sends websites to you.
Stores shared files for offices or schools.
Manages huge amounts of data.
Lets players meet in the same world.
Handles email sending/receiving.
Secondary/Auxiliary Storage Devices#
Non-volatile computer memory. Long-term. Portable and detachable. Slower speed.
Three Kinds of Secondary Devices
- Magnetic Storage
Magnetic Fields
Floppy Disks -> Magnetic Tape -> HDD
- Solid State Storage
SSD
USB Flash Drive
Memory Card
- Optical Storage
CDs
DVDs
Blu-Ray Discs
Internet of Things (IoT)#
A network of interrelated devices that connect and exchange data with other IoT devices and the cloud. IoT devices are typically embedded with technology, such as sensors and software, and can include mechanical and digital machines and consumer objects.
Examples
Smart home: Devices like thermostats, lights, and security cameras that can be controlled remotely.
Wearables: Smartwatches that monitor fitness and health.
Transportation: Vehicles that track their condition and use GPS for navigation and traffic updates.
Cities: Smart systems such as traffic lights, waste, bins, and meters that help manage resources efficiently.
Industries: Sensors that monitor machines, improve irrigation, and track animal health.
5G Network#
The fifth generation of cellular network technology, offering significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and more device connectivity than 4G.
Key Features
Higher Speeds: Enables faster downlloads, uploads, and smoother video calls.
Lower Latency: Reduces delay, improving responsiveness for things like online gaming.
Greater Capacity: Connects more devices at once, supporting IoT and other techonologies.
Improved Reliability: Provides stable and consistent connections.
New Applications: Supports innovatiosn like smart cities, self-driving cards, and virtual reality.
Robotics#
Robotics combines science, engineering, and technology to design, construct, operate, and use machines programmed to replicate, substitute, or assist humans in completing tasks of varying complexity. These machines are known as robots.
The Unimate
A programmable robotic arm were created in the 1954 by George C. Devol, an inventor from Louisville, Kentucky.
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