The Westminster School, Dubai

2023-2024

Name: …………………………… Year:12 / Sec: …….

Subject: Computer Science Date: ………………..
Topic : Hardware

1. Examples of primary and secondary storage devices include:

hard disk, DVD-RW, flash memory
For each device, describe the type of media used.
a) Hard disk-Magnetic Disc (Storage Media)
b) DVD-RW-Optical Disc(Storage Media)
c) Flash memory-SSD(Memory Device)
2 Describe the internal operation of the following devices:
a) DVD-RW
Ans:
- uses a single spiral track
– only allows write OR read operation to occur as separate operations
– requires special packet reading/writing software
– to write new data to the disc the existing data must be completely erased
– performance degrades/becomes unreliable after 1000 record/erase cycles
– single sided, 4.7Gb capacity
– disc rotates at different speeds/constant linear velocity
b) DVD-RAM
Ans:
- uses several concentric tracks
– allows simultaneous read/write operations
– requires no special read/write software
– makes use of sectors to store data
– repeatedly read, write and erase/100000 record/erase cycles possible
– single or double sided, 4.7Gb capacity per side
– disc rotates at a constant speed/constant angular velocity
3 Pressing a key on a computer keyboard can cause a character to be displayed on the
computer screen.
a) (i) Identify four aspects of the basic internal operation of a keyboard that makes this
happen.
• The keys are positioned above a key matrix, which consists of a set of rows of
wires and another set of columns of wires.
• Pressing a key causes contact at one of the points where wires cross.
 • The microprocessor continuously tests to see if any electrical circuit involving a row
wire and a column wire has become closed.
• When the microprocessor recognises that a circuit has become closed, it can
identify the particular intersection (wire crossing point) that is causing this.
• The processor then uses data stored in the ROM to identify the character code
relating to the key associated with that intersection and sends this character to the
screen.

(ii) Describe an alternative method for a user to enter some text into a computer
system.
A GUI provides several different types of screen icon, each of which allows the user to
control data input. The user needs a pointing mechanism to use a GUI effectively.
4 (i) In the operation of a laser printer there are a number of initial stages which lead up
to the creation of a full-page electrostatic image. Identify three of these stages and
present them in the order that they would occur.

• The drum is given an electric charge. The drum starts to revolve step by step.
• At each step a laser beam is directed by the mirror and lens assembly to a sequence of
positions across the width of the drum.
• At each position the laser is either switched off to leave the charge on the drum or
switched on to discharge the position. This process repeats until a full-page
electrostatic image has been created.

(ii) Identify two of the stages that make use of this electrostatic image.
• The drum is coated with a charged toner that only sticks to positions where the drum
has been discharged.
• The drum rolls over a sheet of paper which is initially given an electric charge.

(iii) State the difference in the procedure used for colour printing from that used for
black and white printing.
• Printing in black and white uses only the black toner cartridge and the white space on
the paper to produce the image.
• Printing in colour uses all four toner cartridges to create bright, colourful images and
the additional cartridges applied means more toner is consumed per page.
• For colour printing, separate toners are required for the colours and the process has to
take place for each colour.
• The colours are created from cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The technology
produces dots. Image quality depends on the number of dots per inch and software
can control the number of dots per pixel.
5 (a) Describe the operation of a touch screen technology that can be used in association
with any type of computer screen.
o The mechanism required emitters to be positioned on the sides of the screen with
o detectors positioned opposite to them.
o The emitters produced either infrared light or ultrasonic waves.
o When a finger touched the screen and blocked some of the light or ultrasound, some of
the detectors would measure a reduced signal level.
(b) Describe the operation of a touch screen technology that is only applicable for use
with a flat screen.
The modern version of a touch-sensitive screen has layers providing the light output
by the display with further, touch-detecting layers added immediately beneath the surface
of the screen.
There have been two approaches used.
Resistive touch screen.

• This type has two layers separated by a thin space beneath the screen surface.
• The screen is not rigid so when a finger presses on to the screen the pressure
moves the topmost of these two separated layers, so that the top layer contacts the
lower layer.
• The point of contact creates a voltage divider in the horizontal and vertical directions.
Capacitive touch Screen

• This does not require a soft screen but instead makes use of the fact that a
finger touching a glass screen can cause a capacitance change in a circuit
component immediately below the screen.
• The most effective technology is projective capacitive touch (PCT) with
mutual capacitance. PCT screens have a circuit beneath the screen that
contains an array of capacitors. This capacitive technology can detect the
touch of several fingertips at the same time, which allows for more
sophisticated applications.

• In any type of touch screen the processor takes readings from measuring
devices and uses these readings to calculate the position of the touch. This
calculation then allows the processor to set in motion whatever action the
user was requesting.

6 (a) Describe two differences between RAM and ROM.

• RAM loses content when power turned off / volatile memory / temporary memory
• ROM does not lose content when power turned off / non-volatile memory / permanent
memory
• Data in RAM can be altered / deleted /read from and written to
• ROM is read only / cannot be changed / altered /deleted
 • RAM stores files / data/ operating system currently in use
• ROM is used to store BIOS/ bootstrap / pre-set instructions
(b) State three differences between Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM).
• DRAM has to be refreshed / charged
// SRAM does not request a refresh
• DRAM uses a single transistor and capacitor
// SRAM uses more than one transistor to form a memory cell
// SRAM has more complex circuitry
• DRAM stores each bit as a charge
// SRAM each bit is stored using a flip-flop/latch
• DRAM uses higher power (because it requires more circuitry for refreshing)
//SRAM uses less power (no need to refresh)
• DRAM less expensive (to purchase /requires fewer transistors)
// SRAM is more expensive (to buy as it requires more transistors)
• DRAM has slower access time / speed (because it needs to be refreshed)
// SRAM has faster access times
• DRAM can have higher storage /bit/data density
// SRAM has lower storage / bit /data density
• DRAM used in main memory
// SRAM used in cache memory
7 a) Many mobile phone and tablet manufacturers are moving to OLED screen
technology. Give three reasons why this is happening.
• OLED technology
• OLED screens are thinner and lighter and therefore more flexible.
• They have a brighter output than equivalent LED/LCD screens.
• OLED requires no backlighting.
• They use less power than equivalent LED/LCD screens (very important on portable
devices).
• Screens can be moulded into any shape required.
• The colours are more vivid/better contrast.
b) A television manufacturer makes the following advertising claim:
‘Our OLED screens allow the user to enjoy over one million vivid colours in true-to-life
vision.’ Comment on the validity of this claim.
▪ human eye has limited detection of different colour hues
 • depends whether or not tv is set up properly
• over time screen output deteriorates
• unnecessary to have such a range of colours
• questionable advantage
8 (a) A company is developing a new games console. The game will be stored on a ROM chip
once the program to run the new game has been fully tested and developed.
i) Give two advantages of putting the game’s program on a ROM chip.
• can’t be changed by users
• software loaded up automatically on powering up
• always available
ii) Explain why the manufacturers would use an EPROM chip during development.
• because many changes are made during the development stage
• EPROM can be altered as required
• ROM chip can’t be changed once written to
• expensive to replace ROM chip each time a change/update is made
iii) The manufacturers are also using RAM chips on the internal circuit board.
Explain why they are doing this.
• fast access for working memory
• values can be written to RAM, for example, current score
iv) The games console will have four USB ports. Apart from the need to attach games
controllers, give reasons why USB ports are incorporated.
• possibility of saving to a memory stick
• possibility of linking to larger screens
• possibility of connecting to devices such as printers
b) During development of the games console the plastic parts are being made by a 3D
printer. Give two reasons why the manufacturer would use 3D printers.
• less expensive to build prototypes
• other methods require new mould to be made every time design is changed

9 An air conditioning unit in a car is being controlled by a microprocessor and a number of

sensors. a) Describe the main differences between control and monitoring of a process.
Control
• Sensor data is used by the microprocessor or computer to decide if any action needs to be
taken to keep a process within correct parameters.
• The output from the system affects next set of inputs.
Monitoring
• Sensor data is used by the microprocessor or computer to check whether it is within
stored/set parameters.
• If data is outside set parameters, a warning is sent to the user (on screen warning or sound).
• The microprocessor/computer has no effect on what is being monitored/it simply ‘watches’
the process.
b) Describe how the sensors and microprocessor would be used to control the air
conditioning unit in the car.
Name at least two different sensors that might be used and explain the role of positive
feedback in your description. You might find drawing a diagram of your intended process to
be helpful.

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The nine stages in printing a page using an inkjet printer are shown below. They are not in
the correct order. Write the letters A to I so that the stages are in the correct order.

Ans: order: A – 4, B – 6, C – 1, D – 9, E – 2, F – 7, G – 3, H – 8, I – 5
18
There are two types of RAM: dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). Five
statements about DRAM and RAM are shown below. Copy the diagram below and
connect each statement to the appropriate type of RAM.

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DVD-RAM and flash memory are two examples of storage devices. Describe two differences
in how they operate.
DVD
laser/optical media
phase changing recording
rotating disk and single spiral track (centre to outer rim)
uses dual layering
 uses red laser (DVD) or blue laser (Blu-Ray DVD).
Flash memory
NAND-based solid state memory
no moving parts
uses matrix with two transistors at each intersection
one transistor is a floating gate
second transistor is a control gate
uses movement of electrons to control R/W operations
can’t overwrite data with new data; need to erase existing data and then write new data
in the same location.
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(b)

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Describe the basic internal operation of the following devices: (Any three points)
(i) Keyboard
• Uses switches and circuits to translate keystrokes into signals the computer can
understand
• The key matrix is a grid of circuits / three layers of plastic underneath the keys
• Each circuit is broken beneath the key / middle layer contains holes
• When key pressed, a circuit is made / completed and a signal is sent
 • Processor compares location of signal from key matrix to a character map stored on
ROM
• A character code for each key press is saved in a keyboard buffer
(ii) Optical disc
• Drive motor is used to spin the disc
• Tracking mechanism moves the laser assembly
• A lens focuses the laser onto the disc
• Laser beam is shone onto disc to read / write
• Surface of disc has a reflective metal layer / phase change metal alloy
• Track(s) on the disc have sequence of pits and lands / amorphous and crystalline state
• Reflected light in then encoded as a bit pattern
(iii) Optical mouse
• Laser / light shines onto a surface
• Through a (polished) ring at the base
• The light is reflected from the surface through the ring
• Sensor detects reflected light
• Capturing details / photograph of surface (under the ring)
• At about 1500 times per second
• As the mouse moves the sensor detects changes in the surface detail / photograph
• Which are translated into movement (change of x and y co-ordinates)
• The processor/software updates the position of the cursor on the screen
(iv) Scanner
• Main component of a scanner is a CCD array
• CCD is a collection of light sensitive diodes
• Laser beam / light is shone onto the source document/barcode
• The scanned image reaches the CCD through mirrors and lenses
• Sensors detect levels of reflected light
• Brighter light results in greater electrical charge
• Light intensity is converted (by software) to a digital value
Notes
shows a version of this hierarchy that includes the trends in the important factors that affect
our choice. The factors increase in the direction of the arrow.

Data output
For data output from a computer system the following options are available:
• screen display
• hardcopy using a printer or plotter
• virtual headset display
• a speaker
• writing to any of the data storage devices described earlier
• transmission on a network link.

Data input
For the input of data to a computer system the following are among the options available:
• keyboard or keypad entry by a user
• user interaction with a screen using screen icons or menus; possibly using a pointing device
and
• possibly involving the use of a touch screen
• a user using a game controller
• a user using a scanner
• a user using a microphone in tandem with voice recognition software
• reading from any of the storage devices described earlier
• transmission on a network link.
Embedded System
An embedded system must still contain a processor, memory and an I/O capability. If these are
constructed on one chip this is called a microcontroller.

The major advantage of embedded systems is that they are special-purpose; possibly performing
only a single function.
During the early years of their use, embedded systems had the disadvantage that programming was
difficult because the memory space available to store a program was limited. For this reason,
programs had to be short. In addition, there was the disadvantage that if errors were found
following installation then new chips had to be manufactured and used to replace the faulty ones.

Embedded systems are now part of what is called the IoT (Internet of Things). More and more
embedded systems are being installed with a network connection. This can greatly improve the
usefulness of a product, for example by providing information and updates to the owner. However,
this accessibility via a network is a security concern. Embedded systems are less likely to be
protected against unlawful actions than general-purpose systems.

Buffers
Whenever data has to be transferred from one part of a computer system to another, a problem
occurs if the data can be sent more quickly than it can be received. The solution to the problem is to
use a buffer. Data enters a buffer before being transmitted to its destination. The buffer functions as
a queue so the data emerges in the order that it has entered the buffer. Typically, the buffer is
created in the computer memory.

Optical media
The important features for the process of reading data from the disc are as follows.
• The optical disc has one spiral track running from the inner extreme of the surface to the outer
edge.
• During operation, the disc spins.
• Simultaneously the laser moves across ensuring that it is continuously focused on the spiral
track.
• The track on the surface of the disc has what are referred to as ‘pits’ and ‘lands’.
• The laser beam is reflected from the surface of the disc.
• The difference between the reflection from a pit compared to that from a land can be
detected.
• This difference in the intensity of the light the detector receives can be interpreted as either a
1 or a 0 to allow a binary code to be read from the disc.

Solid-state media
• Uses flash memory- semiconductor technology, NAND Technology
• with no moving parts.
• circuits consist of arrays of transistors acting as memory cells
• The writing to the memory and the reading from it is handled by a NAND flash controller.
 • Blocks of memory cells can have their contents erased all at once ‘in a flash’.
• The most frequent use is either in a memory card or in a USB flash drive (memory stick). In
the latter case the flash memory is incorporated in a device with the memory chip connected
to a standard USB connector. This is currently the technology of choice for removable data
storage.
• Faster access speed

Output Devices
Screen Display
CRT – Cathode Ray Tube
• There is no individual component for a pixel.
• The inner surface of the screen is covered with phosphor, which is a material that emits light
when electrons fall on it.
• An individual pixel is lit up by controlling the direction of the electron beam used.
• Colour CRT displays have individual red, green and blue phosphors arranged so as to create
an array of pixels.

LCD – Liquid Crystal Display

• It has individual cells containing a liquid crystal to create each pixel.
• The pixel matrix is illuminated by backlighting and each pixel can affect the transmission of
this light to create the on-screen display.
• The back-lighting is usually provided by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Polarised light is
directed towards the pixel matrix and a further polariser is placed between the pixel matrix
and the screen.
• If a voltage is applied to an individual pixel cell the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is
affected.
• This changes the polarisation of the light and so changes what is displayed on the screen.

Virtual reality headset

• The most important components of a virtual reality headset are the two eye-pieces.
• These are fed paired images from the controlling system which, when looked at together, give
the eyes the sensation of being in a 3D environment.
• The images can be collected using specialised photographic techniques or can be created
using a 3D graphics package.
• The wearer of the headset can control which part of the 3D environment is in view.
• They do this by moving their head or by using a controlling device.

Hard-copy output of text

Inkjet printer
• Inkjet printer sheet of paper is fed in;
• the printhead moves across the sheet depositing ink on to the paper;
• the paper is moved forward a fraction and the printhead moves across the paper again.
 • This continues until the sheet has been fully printed.
• The printhead consists of
• nozzles that spray droplets on to the paper.
• Ink is supplied to the printhead from one or more ink cartridges.

Laser Printer
• The drum is given an electric charge.
• The drum starts to revolve step by step.
• At each step a laser beam is directed by the mirror and lens assembly to a sequence of
positions
• across the width of the drum.
• At each position the laser is either switched off to leave the charge on the drum or
switched on to
• discharge the position.
• This process repeats until a full-page electrostatic image has been created.
• The drum is coated with a charged toner that only sticks to positions where the drum
has been
• discharged.
• The drum rolls over a sheet of paper which is initially given an electric charge.
• The sheet of paper is discharged and then is passed through heated rollers to fuse the
toner
• particles and seal the image on the paper surface.
• The drum is discharged before the process starts again for the next page.
Graphic Plotter
• A plotter uses pens to write, usually, on a large sheet of paper constrained by sprockets along
one pair of sides.
• The sprockets can move the paper forwards or backwards and pens can either be parked or
in use at any given time.
• The controlling circuitry and software can create the drawing directly from the original vector
graphic file.
Application:
Graph plotters are used by engineers and designers working in manufacturing.

3D Printer
• A 3D design is created in a suitable computer-aided design (CAD) package.
• The design is split into layers.
• The data for the first layer is transmitted to the 3D printer. Rather than using ink to draw the
• Layer.
• The 3D printer uses a nozzle to squirt material on to the printer bed to create a physical layer
to match the design.
• This process is repeated for successive layers. When the whole object has been
• formed it has to be cured in some way to ensure that the layers are stuck together and the
material has been converted to the form required for the finished product.
 Input Devices
Scanner
• Scanner takes an image and creates a digital representation from it.
• A sheet of paper containing the image (which may be text) is held in a fixed position and a
light source moves from one end of the sheet to the other.
• It covers the width of the paper. The reflected light is directed by a system of mirrors and
lenses on to a charge-coupled device (CCD).
Three aspects to note are:
• a CCD consists of an array of photo-sensitive cells
• a CCD produces an electrical response proportional to the light intensity for each cell
• a CCD needs an analogue-to-digital converter to create digital values to be transmitted to the
• computer.
Input and output of sound
Microphone
• This is a device that has a diaphragm, a flexible material that is caused to vibrate by an
incoming sound.
• If the diaphragm is connected to suitable circuitry the vibration causes a change in an
electrical signal.
• A condenser microphone uses capacitance change as the mechanism; an alternative is to
use a piezoelectric crystal.
• The analogue electrical signal is converted to a digital signal by an analogue-to-digital (ADC)
converter so that it can be processed inside the computer.
Speaker
• Digital data from the computer system is converted to analogue by a digital-to-
analogue (DAC) converter.
• The analogue signal is fed as a varying electrical current to the speaker.
• In most speakers, the current flows through a coil suspended within the magnetic field
provided by a permanent magnet in the speaker.
• As the size and direction of the current keep changing, the coil moves backwards and
forwards. This movement controls the movement of a diaphragm, which causes sound
to be created.
• The input and output are controlled by a sound (audio) card installed in the computer