Hardware and software

• Hardware


  The physical components and devices that make up a contemporary digital device
• Software


  The non-physical instructions, programs, and data that tell the hardware how to perform tasks
• System software


  • Software designed to manage the general running of the device, including the Operating System
• Applications software

  • Programs or software packages that users install or run on their digital devices to perform specific tasks
• Hardware and software


  They work together to enable the functionality and operation of digital devices
• Operating system


  • The core software that manages the hardware resources and provides an interface between the user and the hardware
• Examples of operating systems


  • Windows
  • macOS
  • iOS
  • Android
  • Linux
• Technological convergence


  • The integration and merging of different technologies and functionalities into a single device
• Embedded systems


  Specialized computing systems that are designed to perform a specific function within a larger system or device
• Embedded systems are designed to perform a specific function within a larger system or device
• Embedded systems often have limited resources and are optimized for their specific tasks
• Embedded systems are found in a wide range of devices, from household appliances to industrial machinery
• Firmware is software that is embedded in the hardware of a device and provides low-level control and management of the device's components
• Firmware is typically stored in non-volatile memory, such as ROM or flash memory, and is not easily modifiable by the user
• Factors used to assess the performance of digital devices

  • Speed
  • Capacity
  • Portability
  • Bandwidth
  • Power efficiency
• Calculating data file size and transmission time

  1. Determine file size

  2. Determine transmission speed

  3. Calculate time needed to transmit file
• Binary and denary units

  • Bit
  • Nibble
  • Byte
  • Kibibyte (KiB)
  • Mebibyte (MiB)
  • Gibibyte (GiB)
  • Tebibyte (TiB)
• The International Electrotechnical Commission defines the binary and denary units
• Digital devices can be selected to meet the needs and requirements of individuals and organizations
• Software can be selected to meet the needs and requirements of individuals and organizations
• Gaming Consoles


  Modern gaming consoles often serve as multimedia centers, combining gaming capabilities with streaming services, social media integration, and entertainment applications
• Digital Cameras


  Many digital cameras now have built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to share photos and videos directly to their smartphones or social media platforms without the need for a separate transfer process
• Technological convergence provides numerous benefits to users, including enhanced convenience, streamlined workflows, and reduced clutter by consolidating functionalities into a single device
• Technological convergence also enables cross-platform integration and seamless communication between devices, facilitating a more connected and integrated digital ecosystem
• As technological advancements continue, we can expect to see even more convergence in the future, leading to innovative and versatile digital devices with an increasing array of capabilities
• Embedded Systems


  Specialized computing systems that are designed to perform specific tasks or functions within a larger system or device
• Embedded Systems


  • Dedicated Functionality
  • Real-Time Operation
  • Resource Constraints
  • Integration
  • Low Power Consumption
  • Small Form Factor
• Advantages of Embedded Systems

  • Specific Functionality
  • Real-Time Operation
  • Low Power Consumption
  • Size and Form Factor
  • Cost-Effectiveness
  • Reliability
  • Integration
• Disadvantages of Embedded Systems

  • Limited Flexibility
  • Limited Resources
  • Development Complexity
  • Upgrading and Maintenance
  • Testing and Verification
  • Security Concerns
  • Compatibility
• Firmware


  A type of software that provides low-level control for specific hardware devices or embedded systems
• Role of Firmware


  • Hardware Control
  • Booting and Initialization
  • Embedded Systems
  • Real-Time Operation
  • Device Customization
  • Reduced System Overhead
• Where Firmware is Stored

  • Read-Only Memory (ROM)
  • Flash Memory
  • Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)
  • Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)
• Speed


  How quickly a digital device can execute tasks and respond to user inputs
• Capacity


  The measure of the amount of data or information a digital device can store or process
• Portability


  How easily a digital device can be carried or moved from one location to another
• Bandwidth


  The data transfer rate of a digital device or network connection
• Power Efficiency


  How effectively a digital device uses power to perform its tasks
• Bit


  The smallest unit of digital data, representing either a 1 or a 0
• Nibble


  A grouping of four bits
• Byte


  A grouping of eight bits