Unit 3: Hardware

3.1 Computer architecture

1 (a) Understand the role of the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer
(b) Understand what is meant by a microprocessor

2 (a) Understand the purpose of the components in a CPU, in a computer that has a Von Neumann architecture
(b) Describe the process of the fetch–decode–execute (FDE) cycle including the role of each component in the process

3 Understand what is meant by a core, cache and clock in a CPU and explain how they can affect the performance of a CPU

4 Understand the purpose and use of an instruction set for a CPU

5 Describe the purpose and characteristics of an embedded system and identify devices in which they are commonly used

3.2.1 Input devices

Understand what is meant by an input device and why it is required

3.2.2 Output devices

Understand what is meant by an output device and why it is required

3.2.3 Sensors

(a) Understand what is meant by a sensor and the purposes of sensors
(b) Identify the type of data captured by each sensor and understand when each sensor would be used, including selecting the most suitable sensor for a given context

3.3 Data storage

1 Understand what is meant by primary storage

2 Understand what is meant by secondary storage

3 Describe the operation of magnetic, optical and solid-state (flash memory) storage and give examples of each

4 Describe what is meant by virtual memory, how it is created and used and why it is necessary

5 Understand what is meant by cloud storage

6 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of storing data on the cloud in comparison to storing it locally

3.4 Network hardware

1 Understand that a computer needs a network interface card (NIC) to access a network

2 Understand what is meant by and the purpose of a media access control (MAC) address, including its structure

3 (a) Understand what is meant by and the purpose of an internet protocol (IP) address
(b) Understand that there are different types of IP address

4 Describe the role of a router in a network