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Hardware Fundamentals Flashcards

(72 cards)

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1
Q

Analogue Transmission

A

The transfer of information in the form of a continuous wave.

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2
Q

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

A

A set of instructions that are stored in ROM and that are used to start the most basic services of a computer system.

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3
Q

Bluetooth

A

A wireless radio technology that facilitates short-range (usually less than 30 feet) wireless communication between devices such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, wireless headsets and gaming consoles, thus creating a wireless personal area network.

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4
Q

Bus

A

In a computer system, a group of wires that connect components. They provide a pathway for data transfer.

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5
Q

Cable

A

Transmissions that use a cable television connection and a specialised interface device known as a cable modem to provide high-speed internet access to homes and small businesses.

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6
Q

Computer case

A

The enclosure that holds all of the components of a PC.

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7
Q

Computer connection

A

A hardware component that enables a PC to communicate with internal or external devices.

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8
Q

Controller (Disk Controller)

A

Circuitry that manages the transfer of data to and from a disk drive, whether it is a hard disk drive or an optical disk drive. The disk controller provides the communication path between the CPU and the disk drive.

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9
Q

Cooling system

A

A system unit component that prevents damage to computer parts by dissipating the heat generated inside a computer chassis.

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10
Q

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

A

The main chip on the system board, the CPU performs software instructions and mathematical and logical calculations. Also referred to as the microprocessor or the processor.

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11
Q

Daughter Board

A

Any circuit board that plugs into another circuit board.

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12
Q

DB-15 (Video Graphics Array)

A

A display standard that is implemented with a 15-pin DB-15 connector.

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13
Q

Digital Transmission

A

The transfer of information in a signal that comprises of only ones and zeros.

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14
Q

Disk Controller

A

Circuitry that manages the transfer of data to and from a disk drive, whether it is a hard disk drive or an optical disk drive. The disk controller provides the communication path between the CPU and the disk drive.

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15
Q

Dongle

A

A small hardware component that, when attached to a computing device, enables additional functionality such as wireless connectivity.

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16
Q

DVI (Digital Video Interface)

A

A video standard for transferring both analogue and digital video signals.

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17
Q

e-Reader

A

A mobile digital device designed primarily for reading digital publications such as e-books and digital periodicals.

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18
Q

eMMC (embedded Multi-Media Controller)

A

A storage component that contains flash memory and a flash memory controller integrated onto the same silicone die.

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19
Q

eSATA (external Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)

A

An external interface for SATA connections, enabling you to connect external SATA drives to PCs.

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20
Q

External Device

A

A personal computer component that provides alternative input or output methods or additional storage.

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21
Q

Firmware

A

Software stored in memory chips that retains data whether or not power to the computer is on.

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22
Q

Flash Drive (SSD)

A

A personal computer storage device that stores data in non-volatile special memory instead of on disks or tape.

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23
Q

Frequency

A

The number of complete cycles per second in an analogue wave or a radio wave.

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24
Q

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

A

A standard for wireless communications that runs at speeds of up to 115kbps and that supports a wide range of bandwidths.

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25
GPS Device (Global Positioning System Device)
A mobile digital device that provides navigational directions to reach specified destinations.
26
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
A personal computer storage device that uses fixed media and magnetic data storage.
27
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
A proprietary audio/video interface for transferring uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from a display controller to a compatible peripheral device over a single HDMI cable.
28
Hub
A networking device used to connect the drops in a physical star topology network into a logical bus topology. Also called a multiport repeater.
29
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)
Pronounced "I-triple-E." An organisation of scientists, engineers and students of electronics and related fields whose technical and standards committees develop, publish and revise computing and telecommunications standards.
30
IEEE 1394 connection
A PC connection that provides a high-speed interface for peripheral devices that are designed to use the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1394 standard.
31
Input Device
A personal computer component that enables users to enter data or instructions into a computer.
32
Interface
The point at which two devices connect and communicate with each other.
33
IR (infrared)
A form of wireless transmission in which signals are sent via pulses of infrared light.
34
IR waves (infrared waves)
Electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging from 300GHz to 400THz.
35
LTFS (Linear Tape File Systems)
An IBM specification that enables data stored on magnetic tapes to be accessed in a file format.
36
Memory
A personal computer component that provides temporary work-space for the processor.
37
Mobile Digital Device
An electronic device that provides computing power in a portable format.
38
Motherboard
The main circuit board in a computer that acts as the backbone for the entire computer system. Also referred to as the system board.
39
NFC (Near Field Communications)
A wireless communication method that enables wireless devices to establish radio communications by touching them together or by bringing them into close proximity with each other, typically within 10cm or less.
40
Optical Disc
A personal computer storage device that stores data optically, rather than magnetically.
41
Optical Drive
A computer drive that is either internal or external to a computer system that reads and writes data to an optical disc.
42
Peripheral Device
A personal computer component that provides alternative input or output methods or additional storage.
43
Phablet
A mobile digital device that is larger than a standard sized smartphone and smaller than a tablet.
44
Piconet
A network of two to eight Bluetooth-enabled devices.
45
POST (Power-On Self Test)
A built-in diagnostic program that is run every time a personal computer starts up.
46
Power Supply
An internal computer component that converts line voltage AC power from an electrical outlet to the low-voltage DC power needed by system components.
47
Radio Networking
A form of wireless communication in which signals are sent via RF waves, in the 10KHz to 1GHz range, to wireless antennas.
48
RF (Radio Frequency)
A frequency in which network or other communications take place using radio waves in the 10KHz to 1GHz range.
49
Riser Card
A board that is plugged into the system board and provides additional slots for adaptor cards.
50
ROM (Read-Only-Memory)
Memory that saves and stores system data without a constant power source.
51
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)
A type of hard drive that requires a serial data channel to connect the drive controller and the disk drives.
52
SATA Connection (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment connection)
A drive connection standard that provides a serial data channel between the drive controller and the disk drives.
53
SPDIF (Sony Phillips Digital Interconnect Format)
A digital format signal used to connect audio devices to output audio signals over a short distance.
54
SSD (Solid State Drive)
A personal computer storage device that stores data in non-volatile special memory instead of on disks or tape.
55
SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive)
A personal computer storage device that offers the best features of solid state and magnetic data storage by combining the traditional rotating platters of a magnetic HDD and a small amount of high-speed flash memory on a single drive.
56
Standard
A subset of a security profile, and a tactical document that specifies processes to follow to meet policy requirements.
57
Storage Device
A computer component that enables users to save data for reuse at a later time, even after the personal computer is shut down and restarted.
58
System BIOS
The BIOS that sets the computer's configuration and environment when the system is powered on.
59
System Board
The same as the motherboard.
60
System Bus
The primary communication pathway between a CPU and other parts of the chipset. The system bus enables data transfer between the CPU, BIOS, memory and the other buses in the computer. Also referred to as the frontside bus or local bus.
61
System Unit
A personal computer component that includes other devices necessary for the computer to function, including the chassis, power supply, cooling system, system board, microprocessor, memory chips, disk drives, adaptor cards and ports for connecting external devices. Often referred to as a box, main unit or base unit.
62
Tablet
A mobile device that includes an integrated touch screen display, virtual onscreen keyboard and flash memory for data storage.
63
Tape Drive
A personal computer storage device that stores data magnetically on a removable tape.
64
Thunderbolt Connection
A hardware interface that supports connecting a wide variety of peripheral devices to PCs and that can use optical fibre or copper wire to transmit signals.
65
Traces
Wires etched on to the motherboard to provide electrical pathways.
66
Transistors
Switches that are etched on one sliver of a semiconductor that can be opened or closed when conducting electricity.
67
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
A standard firmware interface for PCs that was designed to improve software inter-operability and address the limitations in BIOSs.
68
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
A hardware interface standard designed to provide connections for numerous peripherals.
69
USB Connection
A personal computer connection that enables you to connect multiple peripherals to a single port with high performance and minimal device configuration.
70
VGA (Video Graphics Array)
A display standard that is implemented with a 15-pin DB-15 connector
71
Waveform
The shape of an analogue signal when plotted on an oscilloscope or graph.
72
Wearable Technology
Small mobile computing devices that are designed to be worn under, with, or on top of a person's clothing.

Hardware Fundamentals (1 decks)

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