Nasir Ahmed Khan I/O Devices and Peripherials 0529

Four basic functions of computers include

Receive input, Process information, Produce output, Store information.
Input and Output Hardware
 Input Hardware
The devices that translate data into a form the computer can process.
 Output Hardware
The devices that translate information processed by the computer into the form that humans can understand.
Input Devices
From which computers accept information from the outside world. e.g. Key board, Mouse etc.
Process Information
The processor, or central processing unit (CPU), processes information, and performs all the necessary arithmetic calculations.
CPU is like the “brain” of the computer.
Output Devices
Computers produce information and send it to the outside world. e.g. monitor, printer, etc.
Store Information
Memory and storage devices are used to store information. Primary storage is the computer’s main memory. Secondary
storage uses disks or other media.
Computer’s Core: The CPU and Memory
The transformations are performed by the CPU. The microprocessor, which is a silicon chip, is located on the motherboard.
There are two factors that are very important to computer users are:
Compatibility: Not all software is compatible with any given CPU. Each computer has a unique instruction set - a vocabulary
of instructions the processor can execute.
Speed: The computer’s speed is measured by the speed of its internal clock - a device to synchronize the electric pulses. Speed
is measured in units called megahertz (MHz).
Primary Storage: The Computer’s Memory
RAM (Random Access Memory):
RAM is the most common type of primary storage, or computer memory. Used to store program, instructions and data
temporarily. Unique addresses and can store in any location, can quickly retrieve information, will not remain if power goes off
(volatile).
ROM (Read-Only Memory):
Information is stored permanently on a chip. Contains startup instructions and other permanent data.
Buses, Ports, and Peripherals
 Information travels between components through groups of wires called Buses.
 Peripherals are external devices for receiving input or producing output. e.g. (keyboard, monitor, and mouse).
Communicate with other parts of the system.
 Ports provide attachment and communication with external devices by means of:
Slots (For internal attachments). Ports (For external attachments)
The Keyboard
A standard computer keyboard has about 100 keys. Mostly have keys arranged in five groups:
Alphanumeric keys, Numeric keypad, Function keys, Modifier keys, Cursor-movement keys.
Working of Key board: when key is pressed on the key board. Key board controller sends it to key board buffer, and buffer send
information to the system software, and it passes the scan code to the CPU.
Pointing Devices
A device with which you can control the movement of the pointer to select items on a display screen.
e.g. mice, trackballs, joysticks, touchpad, Graphics Tablet and light pens.
Mouse
The mouse can be used to issue commands, draw, and perform other types of input tasks.
Using the mouse involves five techniques:
 Pointing: Move the mouse to move the on-screen pointer.
 Clicking: Press and release the left mouse button once.
 Right-clicking: Press and release the right mouse button.
 Double-clicking: Press and release the left mouse button twice.
 Dragging: Hold down the left mouse button as you move the pointer.
Other Pointing Devices
Trackballs: A trackball is like a mouse turned upside-down. Use your thumb to move the exposed ball and your fingers to press
the buttons.
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Touch pads or Track pads: A touchpad is a touch-sensitive pad that provides the same functionality as a mouse. To use a
touchpad, you glide your finger across its surface.
Joystick: A lever that moves in all directions and controls the movement of a pointer or some other display symbol. They are
primarily used for playing games, like driving.
Alternative Input Devices
Pen-based System: With a pen-based system, you use an electronic pen to write on the screen and choose commands. Pens are
common input devices for handheld computers, like “personal digital assistants (PDAs).” The user can point, tap, draw and
write on the computer’s screen with a pen.
Touch Screens: Touch-screen systems accept input directly through the monitor by using sensors. They are useful where
environmental conditions prohibit the use of a keyboard or mouse.
Digitizing Tablets: An input device that enables you to enter drawings and sketches into a computer.
A digitizing tablet consists of an electronic tablet and a cursor or pen.
A cursor (also called a puck) is similar to a mouse, except that it has a window with cross hairs for pinpoint placement, and it
can have as many as 16 buttons.
A pen (also called a stylus) looks like a simple ballpoint pen but uses an electronic head instead of ink.
Modem
The word modem comes from the terms modulation and demodulation. A device that encodes digital computer signals into
analog/analogue telephone signals and vice versa and allows computers to communicate over a phone line.
Screen Output
Video Monitor or Video Display Terminal (VDT)
Image exists in video memory (VRAM), Monitor size is measured diagonally across the screen
Pixels: Images are made up of dots called Pixels for picture elements.
The pixels affect the resolution of the monitor. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality.
Classes of Monitors
CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): A CRT is a television-style monitor
Its features include: Clear image, Quick response time, Low cost, Very popular.
In CRT monitors, electrons are fired at phosphor dots on the screen, Magnetic yoke guides the electrons across and down the
screen, philosopher dots on the screen glow when the electron beam hit them.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): LCDs comprise flat-panel monitors

Its features include: Lighter weight, more compact, expensive, Dominate the portable computer market.

Passive matrix LCD uses a transistor for each row and column of pixels.
Active matrix LCD uses a transistor for each pixel on the screen.
Thin-film transistor displays use multiple transistors for each pixel.
Factors affecting Screen Clarity
Resolution: Resolution is the number of pixels on the screen, expressed as a matrix. Example such as 600x800.
A 17" monitor offers resolutions from 640x480 up to 1280x1024.
The Video Graphics Array (VGA) standard is 640x480. Super VGA (SVGA) monitors provide resolutions of 800x600, 1024x768 or
higher. Resolution (image sharpness) is important.

Refresh Rate: Refresh rate is the number of times each second that the electron guns scan the screen's pixels.
Refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Look for a refresh rate of 72 Hz or higher. A slower rate may cause
eyestrain.
Electron gun from left to right and from top to bottom, refreshing every phosphorus dot in an zigzag pattern.
Dot Pitch
Dot pitch is the distance between the phosphor dots that make up a single pixel. In color monitors, three dots (red, green, and
blue) comprise each pixel. Look for a dot pitch no greater than .31 millimeter (mm).

Video Controllers
The video controller is an interface between the monitor and the CPU. It determines many aspects of a monitor's performance,
such as resolution or the number of colors displayed. It contains its own on-board processor and memory, called video RAM
(VRAM). Graphic intensive applications such as games require plenty of VRAM.
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VGA: Video Graphic Array: Supports 16 x 256 colors depending on the resolution.
At 320 x 200 pixels: 256 colors, At 640 x 480 pixels: 16 colors
SVGA: Super VGA: 800 x 600 pixels and 1024 x 768 pixels – 256 colors
XGA: Extended Graphic Array: 16.7 million colors at 1024 x 768 pixels
Paper Output
In computer, paper output is sometimes called Hard Copy.
Hard copy can come from one of two kinds of printers: Impact Printers, Non-Impact Printers
Impact printers use a device to strike an inked ribbon, pressing ink from the ribbon onto the paper.
Line Printers Used by mainframes for massive jobs and Limited characters available.
Dot-Matrix Printers: Image formed from dots printed on paper, Good for text and graphics and Inexpensive
Non-impact printers use different methods to place ink (or another substance) on the page.
Laser Printers: Image transferred to paper with laser beam, Faster and more expensive than dot-matrix.
High-resolution hard copy. They provide resolutions from 300 -1200 dpi and higher.
They use heat and pressure to bond particles of toner to paper. Black-and-white laser printers usually produce 4-16 ppm. Laser
printers produce higher-quality print than ink jet printers, but are more costly.
Ink-Jet Printers: Dots of ink are sprayed tiny droplets onto the paper to form the image, High-resolution hard copy, Ink jet
printers are available for color and black-and-white printing. They offer speeds of (2 – 4 pages per minute ppm) and resolution
(300 – 600 dots per inch dpi), comparable to low-end laser printers.
Plotters: Image transferred to paper with ink pens, Very high resolution, Excellent for scientific and engineering applications.
They are mostly used for print-outs that are too large to be printed by printers.
Printer Quality
When evaluating printers, consider four criteria:
Image quality– Measured in dots per inch (dpi). Most printers produce 300 – 600 dpi.
Speed– Measured in pages per minute (ppm) or characters per second (cps).
Initial cost– Consumer printers cost $250 or less, but professional printers can cost thousands of dollars.
Cost of operation– This refers to the cost of supplies used by the printer.
Secondary Storage: Input and Output
Peripherals with both input and output functions. This form of storage is semi-permanent
Examples include: Magnetic tape, Magnetic disks and Optical disks.
Magnetic tape is a common form of storage for mainframe computers. Information accessed sequentially, Massive storage for
low cost but retrieval is slow, DAT (digital audio tape) is preferred for storage on small computers
Magnetic Disks: e.g. Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, Zip Disks and Zip Drive.
Hard Disks
Hard disks are: Rigid, magnetically sensitive metal disks. Designed so that information can be randomly accessed and for large
storage capacity, Able to access data quickly, Not removable from the drive.
Diskettes
Diskettes are: Flexible, magnetically sensitive plastic disks, Information can be randomly accessed, Has limited storage capacity,
Access of data not as quick as hard disks, Removable from the drive
Optical Disks
CD-ROM and magneto-optical disks provide: Random access of information, A high storage capacity.
CD-ROM and magneto-optical disks: Have an access time that varies but is slower than hard disks, Are removable from the
drive.
Storage Capacity: A single CD-ROM can hold as much information as ; 450 1440K diskettes, 500 books (text only).