Cambridge IGCSE™

* 5 0 1 5 4 0 7 3 5 7 *

COMPUTER SCIENCE 0478/12

Paper 1 Computer Systems February/March 2024

1 hour 45 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● Calculators must not be used in this paper.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 75.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
● No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (DE) 327909/3
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1 Computers represent different types of data in binary.

(a) Tick (✓) one box to show the reason why computers use binary to represent data.

A Computers only allow 1s and 0s to be entered.

B Computers are made of switches and gates that can only be on or off.

C Binary does not need to be converted into other forms of data to be displayed.

D Both computers and humans can quickly process binary data.

[1]

(b) One form of data is characters.

The American standard code for information interchange (ASCII) denary number for the
character ‘N’ is 78.

(i) Tick (✓) one box to identify the ASCII denary number for the character ‘Q’.

A 81

B 80

C 79

D 77
[1]

(ii) Give the binary number for the ASCII denary number for ‘N’.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

Working space

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

(iii) Explain how the word ‘RED’ is represented using a character set.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]
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(c) Sound can be represented as binary.

(i) Explain why recording sound with a higher sampling resolution creates a more accurate
recording.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Give one other way that the accuracy of a sound recording can be improved.
Increase the sample rate
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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2 A computer has a central processing unit (CPU).

The CPU includes the registers:

• Program counter (PC)
• Memory address register (MAR)
• Memory data register (MDR)
• Accumulator (ACC)
• Current instruction register (CIR).

(a) The table contains five statements about the role of registers in the fetch–decode–execute
cycle of a CPU.

Letter Statement
A PC stores the address of the next instruction to be accessed
B MAR stores the instructions of the program that is running
C MDR stores the data passed to it from the PC
D ACC stores the result of each calculation
E CIR stores the instruction currently being executed

Two of the statements are not correct.

Identify the letter of each incorrect statement.

Suggest a corrected statement for each.

B
Incorrect statement 1 .........................................

Corrected statement .................................................................................................................

MAR stores the address of the instruction that needs to

Be processed
...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
C
Incorrect statement 2 .........................................
MDR stores the data passed to it from the accumulator
Corrected statement .................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[4]

(b) The computer has a single core 3.5 GHz processor and an 8 kB cache.

(i) State what is meant by a 3.5 GHz processor.

3.5 billion instructions per second

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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(ii) The CPU is changed to a dual-core 3.5 GHz processor.

Explain how the number of cores affects the performance of a CPU.

Increasing the number of cores increases the performance of the CPU.
...........................................................................................................................................
More FDE cycles can be executed simultaneously.
...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(iii) The amount of cache is increased to 64 kB.

Explain how the amount of cache affects the performance of a computer.

Increasing the amount of cache increases the performance of the computer.

...........................................................................................................................................

More frequently used data and instructions can be stored in the cache,
...........................................................................................................................................
Therefore increasing the CPU performance.
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) The computer has both primary and secondary storage.

(i) Random access memory (RAM) is one example of primary storage.

Describe what is meant by RAM.

RAM is a volatile memory that stores currently running data and instructions.
...........................................................................................................................................
It stores parts of the operating system that is currently in use. It loses its
...........................................................................................................................................
Contents when the computer is turned off, and it’s a type of primary memory.
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Read only memory (ROM) is another example of primary storage. ROM often stores the
start-up instructions for a computer.

Identify one other item of data that is commonly stored in ROM.

BIOS
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(iii) Some computers make use of virtual memory.

State the purpose of virtual memory.

To extend the amount of available RAM in the computer without
...........................................................................................................................................
The addition of physical RAM. Tasks that require a large amount of
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
RAM that exceeds the physical capacity can still be carried out.

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3 A computer has an operating system (OS).

(a) Complete the table by writing each missing OS function name and description.

Function name Description

……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………
managing memory
……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………

Operating system
……………………................…
allows application software to run on the computer
……………………................…

Managing devices like printers, keyboards, mouses etc.

……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………
managing peripherals
……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………

[3]

(b) The OS handles interrupts.

(i) State the purpose of an interrupt.

To allow multitasking and efficient use of memory
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Identify one input device and one example of an interrupt that it can generate.
Mouse
Input device .......................................................................................................................
Clicking on a GUI icon causes a task to load
Interrupt .............................................................................................................................
[1]

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(iii) A processor is currently executing a program. The processor receives an interrupt.

Explain how the processor manages the current program and the interrupt.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [5]

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4 A student enters a uniform resource locator (URL) into their web browser.

Draw and annotate a diagram to show the process from the user entering the URL to the web
browser displaying the web page.

DNS The DNS server stores IP

The DNS Server Addresses according to the
server(1) sends (1) URL
the IP address
back to the
browser

Server(2) Identifies it,

And sends it back to
Server (1)
The user enters the
Website’s address

The browser communicates using the IP

User Web
Computer Server

If the IP is Webserver
Not found Sends data
The browser In DNS back
Renders the Server(1),
HTML code and server(2)
Displays them on Is used to
The computer Lookup IP
Address

DNS
Server(2) [5]

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5 Complete the description of digital currencies using the terms provided.

blockchains changed datachains decentralised

deleted encryption passport physical address

physically records time-stamp traced

transaction-chains virtually

Physically
A digital currency does not exist ........................................................... , it can only be accessed

electronically.
Blockchains
Some digital currencies have digital ledgers called ........................................................... .

These are decentralised databases where each transaction is stored as a new set of data with
Time-stamp
a ........................................................... and is linked to the previous set of data. This means that

transactions cannot be altered, only new transactions added, which allows the location of the data

Traced
to be ........................................................... .
[4]

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6 A self-driving tractor sows seeds and harvests crops for a farmer. The self-driving tractor moves
automatically through the field, turning at each end and stopping when it has finished.

(a) One reason the self-driving tractor is a robot is because it has a mechanical structure that
includes wheels, an engine, and a framework.

Give one other reason why the self-driving tractor is an example of a robot.

It has electrical components like sensors, microprocessors.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(b) If a person is detected within 3 metres whilst the tractor is moving, the self-driving tractor
must stop.

(i) Explain how an infra-red sensor, microprocessor and actuator can be used to stop the
self-driving tractor if a person is detected within 3 metres.
The sensor constantly captures distance
...........................................................................................................................................
data from the surrounding. The analogue
...........................................................................................................................................
Data is converted into digitalized data by the use of ADC, and is sent
...........................................................................................................................................
To the microprocessor. The microprocessor compares this distance
...........................................................................................................................................
With the stored value of 3 meters. If the value is greater than 3 meters,
...........................................................................................................................................
No actions are taken. If the value is less or equal to 3 meters, the
...........................................................................................................................................
Microprocessor sends a digital signal to the actuator to stop the tractor.
...........................................................................................................................................
The signal is converted to analogue via the use of DAC.
...........................................................................................................................................
The whole process is continuous and it repeats until it is stopped.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [5]

(ii) Identify one other sensor that the self-driving tractor might use and how it will use the
sensor.

Proximity sensor
Sensor ...............................................................................................................................
To make sure that it’s near the crops
Use ....................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

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(c) Explain the drawbacks of a farmer using a self-driving tractor to sow seeds and harvest crops.
Self-driving tractor maybe expensive to purchase in the first place.
...................................................................................................................................................
Its sensors may break, and it may skip crops and skip location to sow seeds.
...................................................................................................................................................
Self-driving tractor may not be suitable for non-standard tasks. If the seeds
...................................................................................................................................................
Have spilled, or the crops are dropped on the way, it may not know how to
...................................................................................................................................................
Pick them up.
...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(d) The self-driving tractor has an in-built expert system that the farmer can use to solve any
errors with the tractor.

Identify three components of an expert system.

User interface
1 ................................................................................................................................................
Knowledge base
2 ................................................................................................................................................
Rules base
3 ................................................................................................................................................
[3]

(e) At the end of each day the self-driving tractor transmits the data it has collected to the farmer’s
computer in their house.

The transmission uses an echo check.

(i) Describe the role of the self-driving tractor and the farmer’s computer in the echo check.
The tractor sends the data to the computer. The receiving computer
...........................................................................................................................................
Sends the data back to the tractor. The microprocessor inside the tractor
...........................................................................................................................................
Checks if the first set of data and the second set of data matches.
...........................................................................................................................................
If they match, no error has occurred during transmission. If they do not
...........................................................................................................................................
Match, an error has occurred during transmission and data needs to be
...........................................................................................................................................
Re-sent.
..................................................................................................................................... [3]

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(ii) Another method of error checking is a parity block check.

The table shows 7 bytes that are transmitted using odd parity. The parity bit has been
completed for each byte.

Complete the parity byte for the data.

parity
bit 7 bit 6 bit 5 bit 4 bit 3 bit 2 bit 1
bit

byte 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0

byte 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0

byte 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

byte 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1

byte 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

byte 6 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

byte 7 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1

parity 1 0 0 0
byte 1 0 1 0
[3]

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7 Data is transmitted using the internet.

(a) The data is encrypted before transmission.

(i) State the purpose of encrypting data.

To make the data meaningless so that data interceptors would not
...........................................................................................................................................
Understand the data.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Describe the differences between symmetric and asymmetric encryption.

Symmetric encryption uses a single key. Asymmetric encryption uses
...........................................................................................................................................
A private key and a public key. In symmetric, the decryption key is
...........................................................................................................................................
Sent along a communication line. The same key is used to encrypt
...........................................................................................................................................
And decrypt data. In asymmetric, public key is used to encrypt the
...........................................................................................................................................
Data and private key is used to decrypt the data.
...........................................................................................................................................
Anyone with the public key can encrypt, but only those who have the
...........................................................................................................................................
Private key can decrypt/
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [4]

(b) The data is transmitted using packet switching.

(i) Identify two items of data contained in a packet header.

Originator’s IP address
1 ........................................................................................................................................
Destination IP address
2 ........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Give the purpose of a router in the packet-switching process.

To route packets to the correct destination

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

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8 (a) Hexadecimal can be used to represent binary numbers.

(i) Convert the denary number 236 into hexadecimal.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

Working space

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

(ii) Give one benefit of using hexadecimal instead of binary to represent data.

It is easier to debug
...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Two’s complement can be used to represent positive and negative binary integers.

(i) Convert the two’s complement integer 10110111 into denary.

Show all your working.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Convert the denary number 45 into an 8-bit two’s complement integer.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

Working space

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

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(c) Logical shifts are performed on binary integers.

State the mathematical effect of a right shift of four places on a positive binary integer.
The least significant bits are lost. The value is divided by 16, so it
...................................................................................................................................................
Becomes less.
...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

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