TECHNOLOGY GUIDE ONE Hardware

TECHNOLOGY GUIDE OUTLINE TG1.1 Introduction TG1.2 Strategic Hardware Issues TG1.3 Computer Hierarchy TG1.4 Input and Output Technologies TG1.5 The Central Processing Unit

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Identify the major hardware components of a computer system. 2. Discuss the strategic issues that link hardware design to business strategy. 3. Describe the hierarchy of computers according to power and their respective roles. 4. Differentiate the various types of input and output technologies and their uses.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES (continued) 5. Describe the design and functioning of the central processing unit. 6. Discuss the relationships between microprocessor component designs and performance. 7. Describe the main types of primary and secondary storage. 8. Distinguish between primary and secondary storage along the dimensions of speed, cost, and capacity.

PI2.1 Introduction to Hardware Hardware refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output, and storage activities of a computer system. © Ignacio Gonzalez Prad/Age Fotostock America, Inc.

Hardware consists of: Central processing unit (CPU) Primary storage Secondary storage Input technologies Output technologies Communication technologies Central processing unit (CPU) manipulates the data and controls the tasks performed by the other components. Primary storage internal to the CPU; temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing. Secondary storage external to the CPU; stores data and programs for future use. Input technologies accept data and instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand. Output technologies present data and information in a form people can understand. Communication technologies provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e.g. the Internet and intranets) to the CPU, and from the CPU to computer networks.

TG1.2 Strategic Hardware Issues How do organizations keep up with the rapid price and performance advancements in hardware? How often should an organization upgrade its computers and storage systems? Will upgrades increase personal and organizational productivity? How can organizations measure such increase? How should organizations determine the need for new hardware infrastructures? How do organizations manage employees who can “work from anywhere?”

TG1.3 Computer Hierarchy Supercomputers Mainframe Computers Midrange Computers Microcomputers

Mainframes and Mid-range computers © stockbrokerxtra/Age Fotostock America, Inc.

Microcomputers

TG1.4 Input and Output Technologies Input technologies Human data-entry Source-data automation

Various Human Input Devices Trackball Pointing Stick Digital Pen Web Camera Wii © MONKEY BUSINESS-LBR/Age Fotostock America, Inc. Note: The Maltron Keyboard is designed for ease of use and possibly to reduce the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome. We see that some of the keys are operated by your thumbs. Bluetooth laser projection keyboard allows you to type on any flat surface. Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard The Maltron Keyboard Source: WENN Photos/NewsCom

We’ve Come a Long Way A very early (if not the first) mouse demonstration in 1968. See the video of Oblong’s product, called G-Speak

The First Mouse A very early (if not the first) mouse demonstration in 1968.

Output Technologies Output generated by a computer can be transmitted to the user over several output devices and media, which include: Monitors Printers Plotters Voice

Electronic Book Readers Amazon’s Kindle 3 Sony Reader Asus ebook Reader Barnes and Noble Nook © Andriy Kravchenko/Age Fotostock America, Inc.

Multimedia Technology Merges capabilities of computers with televisions, VCRs, CD players, DVD players, video and audio recording equipment, music and gaming technologies. Multimedia technology is the computer-based integration of text, sound, still images, animation, and digitized motion video.

TG1.5 The Central Processing Unit Central processing unit (CPU) Microprocessor Control unit Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) Registers Central processing unit (CPU) performs the actual computation or “number crunching” inside any computer. Microprocessor made up of millions of microscopic transistors embedded in a circuit on a silicon chip. Control unit sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them and controls the flow of data to and from the ALU, the registers, the caches, primary storage, secondary storage and various output devices. Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) performs the mathematic calculations and makes logical comparisons. Registers are high-speed storage areas that store very small amounts of data and instructions for short periods of time.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) (continued)

How the CPU Works

Advances in Microprocessor Design Moore’s Law: microprocessor complexity would double every two years. Moore’s Law is that microprocessor complexity would double every two years as a result of the following changes: --Increasing miniaturization of transistors. --Making the physical layout of the chip’s components as compact and efficient as possible. --Using materials for the chip that improve the conductivity (flow) of electricity. --Targeting the amount of basic instructions programmed into the chip.

The Evolution of Chips For a look at the evolution of chips from the Intel 4004 to multicore chips, click here.

Computer Memory Two basic categories of computer memory: Primary Storage Secondary Storage Memory Capacity: Bit Byte Primary Storage stores small amounts of data and information that will be immediately used by the CPU. Secondary Storage stores much larger amounts of data and information (an entire software program, for example) for extended periods of time. Bit: Short for binary digit (0s and 1s), the only data that a CPU can process. Byte: An 8-bit string of data, needed to represent any one alphanumeric character or simple mathematical operation.

Hierarchy of Memory Capacity Kilobyte Megabyte Gigabyte Terabyte Petabyte Exabyte Zettabyte Kilobyte (KB): approximately one thousand bytes. Megabyte (MB): approximately one million bytes (1,048,576 bytes, or 1,024 x 1,024). Gigabyte (GB): actually 1,073,741,824 bytes (1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024 bytes). Terabyte: One trillion bytes. Petabyte: One thousand terabytes. Exabyte: One thousand petabytes. Zettabyte: one thousand exabytes.

Main Types of Primary Storage Registers Random access memory (RAM) Cache memory Read-only memory (ROM) Registers: registers are part of the CPU with the least capacity, storing extremely limited amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing. Random access memory (RAM): The part of primary storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data when they are brought from secondary storage. Cache memory: A type of primary storage where the computer can temporarily store blocks of data used more often. Read-only memory (ROM): Type of primary storage where certain critical instructions are safeguarded; the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to the computer is turned off.

Primary Storage RAM MRAM Register Cache © Aleksandr Potapov/Age Fotostock America, Inc.

Internal workings of personal computer Hard disk drive CPU board with fan RAM Floppy disk drive

Primary versus Secondary Memory

Secondary Storage Memory capacity that can store very large amounts of data for extended periods of time. Magnetic tape (sequential access) Magnetic disks (direct access) Optical storage devices Flash memory devices Secondary Storage: It is nonvolatile. It takes much more time to retrieve data because of the electromechanical nature. It is cheaper than primary storage. It can take place on a variety of media Magnetic tape: A secondary storage medium on a large open reel or in a smaller cartridge or cassette. Sequential access: Data access in which the computer system must run through data in sequence in order to locate a particular piece. Magnetic disks: A form of secondary storage on a magnetized disk divided into tracks and sectors that provide addresses for various pieces of data; also called hard disks. Hard drives: A form of secondary storage that stores data on platters divided into concentric tracks and sectors, which can be read by a read/write head that pivots across the rotating disks. Direct access: Data access in which any piece of data be retrieved in a nonsequential manner by locating it using the data’s address.

Hard Drive Source: BraginAlexey/Shutterstock

Optical Storage Devices Compact Disk, Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) Digital Video Disk (DVD) Optical storage devices: A form of secondary storage in which a laser reads the surface of a reflective plastic platter. Compact disk, read-only memory (CD-ROM): A form of secondary storage that can be only read and not written on. Digital video disk (DVD): An optical storage device used to store digital video or computer data. © J R Bale, Balefire C/Age Fotostock America, Inc.

Flash Memory Devices Flash memory Flash memory devices Thumb drive Flash memory: non-volitile memory that can be erased and reprogrammed Flash memory devices: electronic storage devices with no moving parts Thumb drive: