Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Computer Science Computer Systems Workbook answers

10

11 • asymmetric encryption
x public
x private
x document
x algorithm
x matching pairs
x mathematically
x public key
x public key
x encrypted
x matching private
x document
x decrypt

3 Hardware
1 • step 1: 4
x step 2: 1
x step 3: 2
x step 4: given in flowchart
x step 5: 5
x step 6: 3
Please note: step 5 (increment PC) could also be shown in steps 2 or 3 in the flowchart.

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 Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Computer Science Computer Systems Workbook answers

2 a address bus, data bus and control bus

b i MAR: 1111 1110 MDR: 1010 0111
ii MAR: 1000 0100 MDR: 1100 1101
iii

The greyed cell in the diagram in the Workbook should contain 00111100.
c CIR: current instruction register – stores the current instructions being decoded and
executed
MAR: memory address register – stores the address of the memory location currently being
read from/written to
MDR: memory data register – stores data which has just been read from memory/data and
is about to be written to memory
PC: program counter – stores the address where the next instruction to be read can
be found
3 a i Clock speeds are measured in GHz, which is the vibrational frequency of the clock
which sends out pulses along the control bus to synchronise operations.
ii A temporary memory location using static RAM to hold data/instructions that are
frequently used by the processor; a larger cache memory increases processor
performance.
b Increasing clock speed can improve performance; however, it can lead to overclocking,
which can cause operations to be unsynchronised, which can cause serious overheating of
the CPU. Use of more cores can improve processor performance (for example, dual core
and quad core). However, doubling the number of cores doesn’t necessarily double the
performance because the CPU needs to communicate with each core, reducing the overall
performance.
4 a i a combination of hardware and software designed to carry out a specific set of
instructions
ii In any order:
x small in size and therefore easy to fit into devices
x relatively cheap to manufacture
x dedicated to a single task which allows for a simple interface and OS
x consumes very little power

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iii Three from:

x set top boxes – to allow the recording and playback of TV programmes
x security systems – use sensors to check for intruders and send a warning signal if
an intruder is detected
x lighting systems – automatic control of lighting using light sensors, for example,
time of day, whether the room is occupied, light intensity changes, etc.
x vending machines – to automatically supply customers with an item from a
machine; they use a keypad, sensors and a number of actuators to supply the item
x motor vehicles – they control/monitor the functions of many of the components in
a car
x washing machines – automatically control the wash cycle
b i Gaming devices involve sensors to give a degree of realism to games:
x accelerometers (these measure acceleration and deceleration and therefore measure
and respond to tilting the gaming device forward/backward and side to side)
x proximity sensors (used in smart touch pads; here electrodes are embedded in
touch pads which can detect hand/finger position thus increasing user movements
and user awareness)
x embedded accelerometers and proximity sensors (together with a microcontroller)
in games consoles allow increased human interaction with the game – this allows
players to take actions which simulate real events happening, giving a more
immersive games experience.
ii • automatic updates are sent via a cellular network
x automatic updates are received by plugging a device into a computer or via
a WiFi/Bluetooth connection
5 a A: 0 1 1 1 1 0 1
B: 0 1 0 1 1 1 1
C: 0 1 1 0 0 0 1
b Inputs:
x scanner – to read the barcode
x keypad – to enter the barcode number if the barcode fails to scan
x card reader – to allow payments
Outputs:
x monitor – to show an item’s description and/or price
x loudspeaker – to give ‘beeping’ sounds to indicate that the item has been read correctly
or that there was an error in reading the barcode
x printer – to produce an itemised bill and customised vouchers

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 Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Computer Science Computer Systems Workbook answers

c Manager, two from:

x easier to change the prices on stock
x more up-to-date sales information can be automatically generated
x no need to price each item individually
x automatic stock control
x customer’s buying habits can be easily checked (by linking purchases to a loyalty card)
Customer, two from:
x faster checkouts
x fewer errors in the bills
x itemised billing
x cost savings passed on to customers
x less chance of food being out of date
6 a • adjust the shutter speed
x focus the image automatically
x operate the flash automatically
x adjust the aperture size
x adjust the size of the image
x ‘red eye’
b Note: don’t accept answers such as ‘taking a photograph of a scene’.
Two from:
x reading QR codes using a smart phone/tablet
x robots and other devices where information about the surroundings is needed
(e.g. autonomous vehicles or reconnaissance drones)
x diagnosis of patients (e.g. dental work for easier detection of problems)
x security systems (e.g. use of infrared sensors to trigger a camera to take a photo or
move the camera)
x video conferencing and other forms of conferencing
x producing virtual reality tours
x producing data for use in satellite navigation systems and online ‘maps’
x augmented reality (e.g. when selling cosmetics, the camera in a device can be used to
show how a person would look when using different cosmetics)

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7 Application Most suitable input device

Entering text and numbers into a word processor or
Keyboard
spreadsheet
Selecting an option or icon from an on-screen menu Touch screen/pointing device
Input a user’s voice into a computer as part of a voice
Microphone
recognition system
Converting a hard copy document into an electronic form
(2D) scanner
to be stored in a computer
Reading of a QR code using a smartphone or tablet Camera
Keying in digits from a barcode which didn’t scan
Keypad
correctly
Read data directly from the surroundings, such as taking
Sensor
a temperature

8 Touch screen
Advantages Disadvantages
technology
x better image clarity than x surface capacitive screens only allow
other technologies use of bare fingers or stylus
Capacitive x very durable screens with x sensitive to electromagnetic radiation
good scratch resistance
x allows multi-touch facility
x allows multi-touch facility x can be sensitive to water/moisture on
x good screen durability screen surface
Infrared x possible accidental activation
x not affected by
scratched/cracked screen x sensitive to light interference

x good resistance to dust x low touch sensitivity

and water x doesn’t support multi-touch facility
Resistive
x can be used with fingers, x poor visibility in strong sunlight
stylus or gloved hand x vulnerable to scratches on screen

9 a Three from:
x higher contrast ratios
x greater longevity
x quieter running
x no issues lining up images
x smaller and lighter than LCD projectors
x better suited to dusty and smoky atmospheres

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b Two from:
x The image tends to suffer from ‘shadowing’ during moving images.
x They do not have grey components in the image.
x Colour definition is not as good as LCD projectors.
10 a inkjet printers:
advantages:
x don’t produce ozone gas
x produce high-quality photo/vivid colour images
x small footprint
x don’t need to warm up
x very low purchase price
disadvantages:
x have a small ink reservoir
x small paper trays
x not suitable for long print runs (ink cartridges can be used up quickly)
x can’t use highlighter pens on printouts as ink smudges
x print heads are not very durable
laser printers:
advantages:
x have large paper trays for long print runs
x have large capacity toner cartridges
x very quiet printing
x cost per page is very low
disadvantages:
x produce ozone gas (an irritant) (Don’t allow this point if given as an advantage of
using an inkjet printer.)
x expensive to maintain (cartridges and other parts, such as the diffuser, are expensive)
b i laser printer
x large number of leaflets; therefore, need large amounts of paper and ink to do
the print run
ii inkjet printer
x one off, therefore, speed not essential
x inkjet printers good at producing high definition photo-quality printouts
iii 3D printer
x items for sale need to be solid coins and feel like the real thing
x 3D printers can produce coins from layers of resin/plastic or metal powders
resembling original coins

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 Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Computer Science Computer Systems Workbook answers

11 a • The enthusiast makes a drawing of the part or finds a blueprint.

x The finalised drawing is imported into special software that prepares it in a format
understood by the 3D printer.
x A solid object is built up layer by layer; the material used is a metallic powder in
this case.
x The object is removed from the printer and is then prepared by removing any support
material.
b Three from:
x prosthetic limbs
x facial construction and other reconstructive surgery
x making parts in the aerospace industry
x fashion and art
x prototypes, for example, in the design of a new games console
12

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13 a infrared sensor (passive and/or active), acoustic sensor (microphone), pressure sensor
b • The sensors continually send data to the microprocessor.
x Data is converted to digital form by an ADC.
x The microprocessor compares data to pre-set values.
x If an infrared (active) beam is broken, the microprocessor sends a signal to an actuator
to operate a siren/flashing lights.
x If an infrared (passive) value > pre-set value, the microprocessor sends a signal to
an actuator to operate a siren/flashing lights.
x If the microphone/acoustic sensor readings > pre-set value, the microprocessor sends
a signal to an actuator to operate a siren/flashing lights.
x If a pressure sensor reading > pre-set value, the microprocessor sends a signal to
an actuator to operate a siren/flashing lights.
x The process is continuous.
14 a primary:
x directly addressable by the CPU
x part of the CPU/motherboard
x contains RAM/ROM/cache
secondary:
x not directly addressable by CPU
x non-volatile devices
x often external to computer
x for example, HDD, SSD
b RAM ROM
Description
9)
(9 9)
(9

Temporary memory device 9

Non-volatile memory 9

Data stored in this memory cannot be altered 9

Permanent memory device 9

Stores data and part of the operating system currently in use 9

Can be increased in size to improve the operational speed

9
of a computer

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c i • radio frequency to control the device

x software to carry out the basic functions of a device
x start-up procedures when the device is powered up
ii • a user’s own programs/routines to control the car
x part of the software needed to control the car’s manoeuvres
x temporary new radio frequencies
iii • to allow connection to the computer to get software updates
x to connect a small memory stick containing pre-programmed routines

15 Technology used
Description Magnetic Optical Solid state

Makes use of floating gate and control gate

9
technology

Disk surfaces are made up of tracks and sectors;

storage relies on certain properties of the iron oxide 9
coating

Devices using this technology have no moving parts 9

Data is stored in ‘pits’ and ‘lands’ on a single spiral

9
track running from the centre outwards

Disks use the properties of laser radiation to allow

9
read and write operations

Data is stored by controlling the movement of

9
electrons within NAND chips

This technology is affected by strong magnetic and

9
radio fields

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16 True False
Statement
9)
(9 9)
(9

Devices using magnetic media have a very slow data transfer rate 9

HDD platters can be made from ceramic, glass or aluminium coated in

9
iron oxide

HDD surfaces are split up into tracks and sectors 9

HDD use a more reliable technology than solid state devices, such
9
as SSD

DVD-Rs are used to read and write data several times 9

DVD and Blu-ray disks can both use dual-layer technology 9

SSDs suffer from a high degree of latency 9

Solid-state devices, known as flash drives, use NAND chip

9
technology
SSD data access time is approximately 100 times less than the data
9
access time for HDD
Memory cards (such as the SD and XD cards used in cameras) are
9
examples of magnetic media

17 How VM works:
x It utilises RAM and HDD/SSD.
x RAM is physical memory and swap space on a HDD/SSD is called virtual memory (VM).
x VM management moves the oldest data out of RAM into swap space on a HDD/SSD.
x The oldest data is moved out to allow a new program to gain RAM access.
x The bit map is updated to reflect the new memory status.
Benefits:
x It gives the illusion of unlimited RAM storage/memory.
x Programs can be larger than physical memory and can still be executed.
x It provides more efficient multi-programming.
Drawbacks:
x There is memory wastage.
x There is the need to buy additional RAM.
x If a HDD is used, one drawback is disk thrashing.
x Disk thrashing can lead to HDD premature failure.
18 a It is a method of data storage where data is stored on offsite servers:
x There are three types: public, private and hybrid.
x The same data is often stored on more than one server in case of maintenance or
repairs/backing up – this is called data redundancy.

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b public: storage environments where client and cloud storage provider are separate
companies/organisations
private: storage provided by a dedicated environment behind a company firewall; client
and cloud storage provider are integrated and act as a single entity
hybrid: a combination of public and private; some sensitive data stored on a private cloud
whereas other data can be stored on a public cloud
c i Three from:
x Customer/client files stored on the cloud can be accessed at any time from any
device anywhere in the world provided internet access is available.
x There is no need for a customer/client to carry an external storage device with
them, or even use the same computer to store and retrieve information.
x The cloud provides the user with remote back-up of data with obvious benefits to
alleviate data loss/disaster recovery.
x If a customer/client has a failure of their hard disk or back-up device, cloud storage
will allow recovery of their data.
x The cloud system offers almost unlimited storage capacity.
ii Two from:
x If the customer/client has a slow or unstable internet connection, they might have
many problems accessing or downloading their data/files.
x Costs can be high if large storage capacity is required; it can also be expensive to
pay for high download/upload data transfer limits with the customer/client internet
service provider (ISP).
x The potential failure of the cloud storage company is always possible – this poses a
risk of loss of all back-up data.
19

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20 a i NIC
ii MAC
iii IP
iv router
v firewall
b i It is a temporary IP address assigned to a device which changes each time a device logs
onto the internet. It uses DHCP to assign the temporary IP addresses.
ii Dynamic IP address Static IP address
Greater privacy because it changes each Because a static IP address doesn’t change,
time a user logs on it allows each device to be fully traceable
A dynamic IP adress can be an issue It allows for faster upload and download
when using, for example, VoIP because speeds
this type of addressing is less reliable
because it can disconnect and change the It is more expensive to maintain because the
IP address causing the VoIP connection device must be constantly running so that
to fail information is always available

c i 1 = computer
2 = switch
3 = router
4 = external network (e.g. internet)
ii • It enables data packets to be routed between different networks, for example,
joining a LAN to a WAN.
x A router takes data transmitted in one format from a network (using one protocol)
and converts the data to a protocol and format understood by another network.
x A router inspects data packets sent to it from any computer or connected network.
x Because all computers on the same network have the same part of an IP address,
the router can send data packets to the correct switch for onward delivery to the
correct MAC address.
21 a internet service provider
b a set of rules agreed by devices using the internet
c • IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses …
x … whereas IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses.
x for example: 190.188.0.250 (IPv4)
fff0:a8fb:7a88:0fff:3d22:2088:66fb:f0fa (IPv6)
x There is less risk of IP address collision with IPv6.
x IPv6 has built-in authentication.
x IPv6 is a more modern/recent IP address protocol.

Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Computer Science Teacher's Guide 24

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