L2 ICT – UNIT 2 : Technology Systems

Revision Template

Subject Notes Revision

done
Acronyms: Examples / Notes/Pictures:
CPU A central processing unit, or CPU, is a piece of
hardware that enables your computer to
interact with all of the applications and
programs installed.

Ram RAM stands for Random Access Memory, and

is used as a short-term memory storage space
for the computer to place data it's currently
working on so it's easily accessible. The more
RAM a computer has, the more data it can
usually juggle at any given moment.

Rom
ROM is memory that cannot be changed by a
program or user. ROM retains its memory even
after the computer is turned off. For example,
ROM stores the instructions for the computer
to start up when it is turned on again.
Gpu What does GPU stand for? Graphics processing unit,
a specialized processor originally designed to
accelerate graphics rendering. GPUs can process
many pieces of data simultaneously, making them
useful for machine learning, video editing, and
gaming applications.

Power supply Specifically, a power supply converts the alternating

high voltage current (AC) into direct current (DC), and
they also regulate the DC output voltage to the fine
tolerances required for modern computing
components.

Motherboard The motherboard is the backbone that ties the

computer's components together at one spot and
allows them to talk to each other. Without it, none of
the computer pieces, such as the CPU, GPU, or hard
drive, could interact. Total motherboard functionality
is necessary for a computer to work well.

Peripheral A peripheral or peripheral device is an auxiliary

device used to put information into and get
information out of a computer.
Screen A computer monitor is an output device that displays
information in pictorial or text form. A monitor usually
comprises a visual display, some circuitry, a casing,
and a power supply.

Psu A power supply unit converts mains AC to low-

voltage regulated DC power for the internal
components of a computer.Modern personal
computers universally use switched-mode power
supplies. Some power supplies have a manual switch
for selecting input voltage, while others automatically
adapt to the mains voltage

Keyboard
A keyboard is for typing up stuff and easter to type.

Harddrive

A hard drive is the hardware component that stores

all of your digital content. Your documents, pictures,
music, videos, programs, application preferences,
and operating system represent digital content stored
on a hard drive. Hard drives can be external or
internal.
SSD Like a hard drive, an SSD is used to store large
volumes of data whether the system is on or off, for
extended periods of time. But unlike hard drives, an
SSD has no moving parts, and is more akin to a flash
drive.

pan A personal area network (PAN) is formed when

two or more computers or cell phones
interconnect to one another wirelessly over a
short range, typically less than about 30feet.
i/o device I/O devices are the pieces of hardware used by a
human (or other system) to communicate with a
computer.

Mouse A computer mouse is a hand-held pointing device

that detects two-dimensional motion relative to a
surface. This motion is typically translated into the
motion of a pointer on a display, which allows a
smooth control of the graphical user interface of a
computer.

Computer hardware devices: Examples / Notes:

What different devices are
classed as computers

Input devices keyboards, mouse, scanners, cameras,

joysticks, and microphones

Output devices
Monitor.
Printer.
Headphones.
Computer Speakers.
Projector.
GPS.
Sound card.
Video card.

Storage devices
Memory stick
Usb
Ccd
Hdd
sdd

Multifunctional devices a machine that can print, copy and scan. These
devices have faster print speeds and allow additional
 functionality such as scan to email.

Hardware & software combined A network

to create automation

Use of devices for data capture Is a scanner barcode red scanner

(barcodes, RFID, OCR, OMR)

Computer & Technology Examples / Notes:

What is the difference between
a computer and a technology
system

Application of technology
systems in different sectors e.g.
construction

Issues involved in using

technology systems

Reasons for future

developments

Computer Networking : Examples / Notes:

Different types of network Personal Area Network (PAN) …

(LAN, WAN etc) Local Area Network (LAN) ...
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) ...
Campus Area Network (CAN) ...
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) ...
Wide Area Network (WAN) ...
Storage-Area Network (SAN) ...
System-Area Network (also known as SAN)

Common uses of network

systems (data sharing etc)

Benefits of computer
networking
Synchronisation of data in a
PAN

Data Transfer: Examples / Notes:

Physical methods of
transferring data

Wireless methods of
transferring data

Cable methods for transferring

data

Benefits and drawbacks of

these methods of transferring
data (Wireless & Cable)

Internal components of a Examples / Notes:

computer:
Motherboard
A motherboard is the main printed circuit board in
general-purpose computers and other expandable
systems. It holds and allows communication between
many of the crucial electronic components of a
system,

CPU/ALU The arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) is that functional part

of the digital computer that carries out arithmetic and
logic operations on machine words that represent
operands. It is usually a part of the central processing
unit (CPU--q.v.).

Memory computer memory is any physical device capable of

storing information temporarily, like RAM (random
access memory), or permanently, like ROM

Graphics cards / sound cards A sound card is an expansion card or IC for

 producing sound on a computer that can be heard
through speakers or headphones. Although the
computer doesn't need a sound card, it's included on
every machine as either in an expansion slot (shown
below) or built into the motherboard (onboard)

Heat dispersal
A heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers
the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical
device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant,
where it is dissipated away from the device, thereby
allowing regulation of the device's temperature.

Storage devices

A storage device is any type of computing hardware

that is used for storing, porting or extracting data
files and objects. Storage devices can hold and store
information both temporarily and permanently. They
may be internal or external to a computer, server or
computing device

Performance and user

experience

Internal component
specifications

Features of mobile devices

Computer buses

Analogue & digital data: Examples / Notes:

Lesson 6
Difference between analogue
and digital data

The need to convert signals

between analogue & digital
Binary notation (bits, bytes etc)

Binary maths

Units used to describe memory

& data storage e.g. gigabyte

Software: Lesson 7 Examples / Notes:

Software used to operate a
technology system

Custom made vs off the shelf

products

Hierarchical structure of a
computer

Characteristics of high level

programming languages

Characteristics of low level

programming languages

Programming concepts: Examples / Notes:

Lesson 8
Flowcharts & symbols

Simple flowchart diagrams

Inputs and outputs on a simple

flowchart

Terms used in computer

programs

Annotating code

Data types e.g. Boolean

Data structures e.g. arrays,

records

Operating systems and Examples / Notes:

applications: Lesson 9
The role of an operating system

The role of utility applications

Graphical user interface

Command line interface

Features of operating systems

Operating systems for mobile

devices
Productivity applications

Benefits of suites of
Productivity applications

Installing and upgrading

operating systems e.g.
hardware platforms,
compatibility, security