II. Short Answers
Question 1. What are the parameters which influence the
characteristics of a microprocessor? Answer: A Microprocessors performance
depends on the following characteristics:
1. Clock speed
2. Instruction set
3. Word size.
Question 2. What is an instruction?
Answer: A command which is given to a computer to perform an
operation on a piece of data is called an instruction.
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Question 3. What is a program counter?
Answer: The Program Counter (PC) is a special register in
the CPU which always keeps the address of the next instruction to be executed.
Question 4. What is HDMI?
Answer: High-Definition Multimedia Interface is an audio/video
interface which transfers the uncompressed video and audio data from a video
controller, to a compatible computer monitor, LCD projector, digital television
etc.
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Question 5. Which source is used to erase the content of an
EPROM?
Answer: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory is a special
type of memory which serves as a PROM, but the content can be erased using
ultraviolet rays. EPROM retains its contents until it is exposed to ultraviolet
light. The ultraviolet light clears its contents, making it possible to
reprogram the memory.
III. Explain in Brief.
Question 1. Differentiate Computer Organization from
Computer Architecture?
Answer: Computer Organisation:
Computer organisation deals with the hardware components of
a computer system. It includes input / output devices, the central processing
unit storage and primary memory.
Computer Architecture: Computer architecture deals with the
engineering considerations involved in designing a computer.
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Question 2. Classify the microprocessor based on the size of
the data?
Answer: Depending on the data width, microprocessors can
process instructions. The microprocessors can be classified as follows:
1. 8-bit microprocessor 2. 16-bit microprocessor 3. 32-bit
microprocessor 4. 64-bit microprocessor.
Question 3. Write down the classifications of
microprocessors based on the instruction set?
Answer: Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC):
RISC stands for Reduced Instruction Set Computers. They have
a small set of highly optimized instructions. Complex instructions are also
implemented using simpler instructions, thus reducing the size of the
instruction set. Eg: RISC processors are Intel P6. Pentium IV. AMD K6 and K7.
Complex Instruction Set Computers (CISC): CISC stands for
Complex Instruction Set Computers. They support hundreds of instructions.
Computers supporting CISC can accomplish a wide variety of tasks, making them
ideal for personal computers. Eg: CISC processors are Intel 386 & 486,
Pentium, Pentium II and III, and Motorola 68000.
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Question 4. Differentiate PROM and EPROM?
Answer: PROM: PROM is a memory on which data can be written
only once.
EPROM: EPROM is a memory on which ultra violet rays are used
to clear its contents and making it possible to reprogram the memory.
Question 5. Write down the interfaces and ports available in
a computer?
Answer:
Serial Port:
To connect the external devices, found in old computers.
Parallel Port:
To connect the printers, found in old computers.
USB Ports:
To connect external devices like cameras, scanners, mobile
phones, external hard disks and printers to the computer. USB 3.0 is the third
major version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard to connect computers
with other electronic gadgets. USB 3.0 can transfer data up to 5 Giga
byte/second. USB 3.1 and USB 3.2 are also released.
VGA Connector: To connect a monitor or any display device
like LCD projector. Audio Plugs: To connect sound speakers, microphone and
headphones.
PS/2 Port: To connect mouse and keyboard to PC.
SCSI Port:
To connect the hard disk drives and network connectors.
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI): High-Definition
Multimedia Interface is an audio/video interface which transfers the
uncompressed video and audio data from a video controller, to a compatible
computer monitor, LCD projector, digital television etc.
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Question 6.
Differentiate CD and DVD?
Answer:
CD:
1. CD stands for compact Disk. 2. CDs are made with the
purpose of holding audio files as well as program files. 3. A standard CD can
store about 700 MB of data.
DVD:
1. DVD stands for digital versatile disc. 2. DVDs are made
with the purpose of holding video files, movies, substantial amount of programs
etc. 3. A standard DVD can hold 4.7 GB of data.
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Question 7. How will you differentiate a flash memory and an
EEPROM?
Answer:
Flash Memory:
1. The flash memory allows data to be written or erased in
blocks. 2. Flash memory is faster in performance.
EEPROM:
1. The EEPROM requires data to be written or erased one byte
at a time. 2. EEPROM is slower in performance.
IV. Explain in detail.
Question 1. Explain the characteristics of a microprocessor?
Answer: A Microprocessors performance depends on the following characteristics:
1. Clock speed
2. Instruction set
3. Word size.
1. Clock Speed: Every microprocessor has an internal clock
that regulates the speed at which it executes instructions. The speed at which
the microprocessor executes instructions is called the clock speed. Clock speed
is measured in MHz (Mega Hertz) or in GHz (Giga Hertz).
2. Instruction Set: A command which is given to a computer
to perform an operation on data is called an instruction. Basic set of machine
level instructions that a microprocessor is designed to execute is called as an
instruction set. This instruction set carries out the following types of
operations: Data transfer, Arithmetic operations, Logical operations, Control
flow, Input/output.
3. Word Size: The number of bits that can be processed by a
processor in a single instruction is called its word size. Word size determines
the amount of RAM that can be accessed by a microprocessor at one time and the
total number of pins on the microprocessor. Total number of input and output
pins in turn determines the architecture of the microprocessor.
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Question 2. How the read and write operations are performed
by a processor? Explain?
Answer: The read operation fetches data from memory and
transfers to MDR. A single control line performs two operations like Read /
Write using 1 or 0. Also, the write operation transfers data from the MDR to
memory.
If the size of the MDR is eight bits, which can be connected
with a word of eight bits where the data can be stored or retrieved, the data
bus has eight wires in parallel to transfer the data in any one direction which
depends on whether the control is read or write. This control line is labelled as
R/W, which becomes 1means READ operation and 0 me WRITE operation.
The read operation transfers the data (bits) from word to memory data register. The write operation transfers the data (bits) from memory data register to word.
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Question 3. Arrange the memory devices in ascending order
based on the access time?
Answer:
Cache memory: The cache is a very high speed, expensive
piece of memory, which is used to speed up the memory retrieval process. The
idea of introducing a cache is that, this extremely fast memory would store
data that is frequently accessed and if possible, the data that is spatially
closer to it. This helps to achieve the fast response time.
Random-access memory / main memory: RAM is a volatile
memory, which means: that the information stored in it is not permanent. As
soon as the power is turned off, whatever data that resided in a RAM is lost.
It allows both read and write operations.
Hard Disk: Hard disk is a magnetic disk on which we can
store computer data. In general, hard disks are less portable than floppies,
although it is possible to port by removable hard disks. Two types of removable
hard disks are disk packs and removable cartridges.
Compact disk: A CD or CD-ROM is made from 1.2 millimeters
thick, polycarbonate plastic material. A thin layer of aluminum or gold is
applied to the surface. CD data is represented as tiny indentations known as
"pits", encoded in a spiral track moulded into the top of the
polycarbonate layer. The areas between pits are known as "lands". A
motor within the CD player rotates the disk. The capacity of an ordinary CD-ROM
is 700MB.
Digital versatile Disc (DVD): A DVD (Digital Versatile Disc
or Digital Video Disc) is an optical disc capable of storing up to 4.7 GB of
data, more than six times what a CD can hold. DVDs are often used to store
movies at a better quality than with a VHS. DVDs can also have interactive
menus and bonus features such as deleted scenes and commentaries. Like CDs,
DVDs are read with a laser.
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Question 4. Explain the types of ROM?
Answer:
Read-Only memory (ROM): Read-only memory refers to special
memory in a computer with pre-recorded data at manufacturing time which cannot
be modified. The stored programs that start the computer and perform
diagnostics are available in ROMs. ROM stores critical programs such as the program
that boots the computer.
Once the data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be
modified or removed and can only be read. ROM retains its contents even when
the computer is turned off. So, ROM is called as a non-volatile memory.
Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM): Programmable read-only
memory is also a non-volatile memory on which data can be written only once.
Once a program has been written onto a PROM, it remains there forever. Unlike
the main memory. PROMs retain their contents' even when the computer is turned
off.
The PROM differs from ROM. PROM is manufactured as a blank
memory, whereas a ROM is programmed during the manufacturing process itself.
PROM programmer or a PROM burner is used to write data to a PROM chip. The
process of programming a PROM is called burning the PROM.
Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM): Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory is a special type of memory which serves as a
PROM, out the content can be erased using ultraviolet rays. EPROM retains its
contents until it is exposed to ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light clears
its contents, making it possible to reprogram the memory.
An EPROM differs from a PROM, PROM can be written only once
and cannot be erased. EPROMs are used widely in personal computers because they
enable the manufacturer to change the contents of the PROM to replace with
updated versions or erase the contents before the computer is delivered.
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory is a
special type of PROM that can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge.
Like other types of PROM, EEPROM retains its contents even when the power is
turned off. Comparing with all other types of ROM, EEPROM is slower in
performance.
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