System Technologies

• A microcontroller is an integrated circuit that provides a specific operation usually in an embedded system. the simplest of these are found in everyday appliances like ovens and refrigerators.
• Server is a central computer in a network that contains collections of data and programs
• Mobile Computing is technology that allows the transmission of data, voice and video via a computer or any other wirless enabled device without having to be connected to a physical link.
• Phablets is the name given for large screen smartphones.
• A Small Office Home Office is a term that refers to the small or home office business environment.
• SOHO's are usually small in size, consist of around 10 people max and use a business owners home.
• ROM chips are used for permanently storing information.
• Data stored in ROM is Non-Volatile.
• RAM memory modules are found in desktop and latop computers
• Data stored in RAM chips are Volatile
• The Machine Cycle is the cycle that the CPU follows to execute a program.
• The Machine cycle has four steps: fetch; decode; execute and store.
• Cache memory is high-speed memory that is placed between the CPU and RAM.
• A slot is mounted directly onto the motherboard and allows a user to connect to a board or card. This is an Internal Connection
• A port is an external connection and allows a user to connect a device on the outside of the computer case.
• Non-Volatile Memory Express(NVMe) is a computer communication bus interface that connects SSDs to the motherboard. It has much higher speed than SATA connections.
• SSDs and HDDs are examples of Secondary Storage that permanently store applications and data.
• The computer Power Supply Unit converts electricity, AC into low-voltage DC power ofr the components of the computer.
• A scanner is a device that captures physical images from various sources and converts them into a digital format.
• Pixels are the small dots that make up the images on computer displays.
• A biometric input device inputs a person's biological features and stores them digitally to identify the user.
• Voice Recognition devices identify a person by converting analogue audio into digital signals.
• Barcode readers are devices that are used for reading bar coded data.
• The barcode reader scans the image and converts it to an alphanumeric value.
• A Computer screen or monitor is an output device that displays text and graphic images to the device user.
• Resolution refers to the number of individual dots of colour, known as pixels.
• Aspect Ratio is the width of the display screen in relation to the height, for example 4:3, 16:9.
• Screen size is measured in inches, diagonally, from corner to corner inside the external casing. For example 19"
• The Contrast Ratio is defined as the ratio of the luminance of the brightest colour(white) in relation to the darkest colour(black) that the display system can produce.
• Hard Disk Drives are non-volatile magnetic storage devices.
• A solid-state drive is purely electrical but non-volatile, meaning it can store data permanently.
• Network Attached Storage is a device that plugs directly into a network without a computer to provide local storage space to users on a network.
• Computers take INPUT, do something to it(PROCESS), and then produce some form of OUTPUT.
• Computers are linked to other computers and devices in some way so that they can communicate.
• Phablets are devices which are too big to be called smartphones and too small to be thought of as tablets.
• An Uninterruptible Power Supply(UPS) can be used to protect a computer against power surges and spikes as well as power outages.
• A UPS is connected to the mains and will immediately provide power to the computer connected to it as soon as the mains power fails.
• A point and shoot camera is a digital camera that does not allow you to change a lens.
• A DSLR camera is designed for professional use and allows you to change lenses.
• The Sensor Size of a camera refers to a large sensor which captures and allows a camera to take pics in low light conditions.