Input and Output devices

Bulbs emit a colour.

This is a form of output
from the computer system.
Speaker
outputs audio
from the LCD screen outputs messages,
computer data and graphics from the
system. computer system.

Buttons input signals into

the system.

Speaker outputs sound/audio

form the computer system.

Floor buttons input signals to

the system.

Refund button inputs signal Coins can be placed into the machine. A coin counter within the
to the computer system. system will count these and so input data to the computer system.

LCD screen outputs data

Seven segment display outputs from system.
price of tickets.
Buttons sued to input
signals into system.

Nots are dispensed from the

computer system output)

LEDs output signal from

LCD screen outputs computer system at note slot.
data from system.

Refund button inputs

signal to system.

Lottery tickets dispensed in

tray (output).
Input devices: are hardware peripherals that are used to provide control signals and
pass data into a system from the outside world.

Output devices: are hardware peripherals that are used to send data or signals out
of a computer system to another system or user.

Storage Devices
Storage capacity:
The amount of data and instructions that can be stored in a system is measured in
bytes.

 1 bit is a single binary digit (1 or 0)

 1 byte is comprised of 8 bits.
 ½ a byte is called a nibble. This is 4 bits.
 1 KB = Assumed as 1000 bytes but in reality, it is 1024B
 MB = Assumed as 1000 kB but in reality is 1024 KB
 GB = Assumed as 1000MB but is actually 1024MB
 TB = 1000 GB but is actually 1024 GB

Magnetic disk:

Magnetic disk: A storage device that is coated with a magnetic surface (material is
called platter). Mechanical parts move over the disk surface to read and write data
magnetically.

Disks contain concentric circles called tracks which are split into sectors. Disk heads
mounted on mechanical arms read and write data.

For a magnetic hard disk, the material is called a platter. On the magnetic surface,
there are billions of regions which can be independently magnetised to store a 1 or
demagnetized to store a 0.
Since the regions stay in the magnetised/demagnetised state after the power is
switched off, data can be stored even without power. This memory is non-volatile.

Examples: a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a removable cartridge.

 Advantages Disadvantages
Cheap per unit capacity Mechanical/moving parts are subject
to failure on shock/damage so less
portable
Available in large capacities Larger power consumption (spinning
disk)
Fast read/write speeds Slower data access/write speeds
compared to Flash/SSD
Data can be recovered by specialists Relatively large sealed unit (disk
even when the disk had failed platter/disk head)
Capacity: 500 to 3TB or more
Uses
Personal computers, storage of vast quantities of data

Optical Storage (disc):

Optical Disk: Data recorded onto optical discs, laser reads and writes onto disk,
highly portable.

Data is stored on an optical device such as a CD/DVD using a pattern of dots.

Pits and lands (binary 0/binary 1) are burnt into a tight spiral track circulating
outwards from the centre.
A laser beam is directed onto a spinning optical disk. The reflection beam is
measured for changes. From the signal, 0s and 1s can be derived from reflections
(lands) or no/poor reflections (pits).

The dots and so data remains stored on the media without any power (it is non-
volatile).
Advantages Disadvantages
Cheap (highly distributable) Less storage capacity compared to other types
Very portable (light and small) Easily scratched and corrupted by sunlight or magnets
Little physical space Must have the appropriate reader device
Relatively durable/ not prone to shock damage Less environmentally friendly & uneconomical for large
amounts of storage
Temporary storage solution Slow read/write speeds
Usually ROM (Read-Only-Memory), few RW
Capacity: CD: <720 Mb DVD: <8.4 GB, Blu-Ray <50GB
Uses
Distributing software, songs, videos, multimedia storage, backup and archiving

Dots can be created on a disc using a laser that marks the surface of the device. This
process is called burning a disc. A DVD and a blue-ray disc are the same physical size
yet the blue-ray disc holds much more data. This owes to the development in shorter
wavelength lasers. They create much smaller pits, enabling a greater number to fit
 on the same space so the track created can be much narrower, tighter and spiralled
as a longer length.

Recordable discs use a reflective layer with a transparent dye coating that becomes
less reflective when a spot laser “burns” a spot onto the track (a pit).

Rewriteable compact discs (RW) use a laser and a magnet in order to heat a spot on
the disc and then set its state to become a 1 or 0 before it cools down again.
A DVD-RW uses a phase change alloy that can change between amorphous and
crystalline states by changing the power/intensity of the laser beam.

Solid state storage:

Solid state disks are a form non-volatile flash memory. Data is recorded onto flash
chips, no moving parts, very fast read and write speeds.

They are composed of millions of NAND flash memory cells along with a controller to
manage pages and blocks of memory.
They use a special type of RAM that can retain its state once power has been
disconnected. It is known as EEPROM or electronically erasable programmable read-
only memory
An array of semiconductor memory is arranged on an integrated circuit within a
drive. There are no moving parts as these are not needed to seek memory locations.

This memory has high speeds (read/write); data is physically close and easy to
recover.

Advantages Disadvantages
Extremely fast read/write Less storage capacity compared magnetic disks due to
expense
Very portable (light and small & no moving parts); Expensive at present
prone to shock damage
No noise (no moving parts) Shorter lifespan than mechanical hard disks; limited write
cycle
Uses less energy; saves battery life
More compact/small than mechanical storage
More durable
Capacity: CD: 30GB to 750GB or more
Uses
Personal computers, laptops, portable devices (phones), PDAs (personal handheld computers), Military usage

It is more expensive so is usually only available in smaller capacities. It is more

energy efficient, reliable and compact than magnetic devices.

Note: Disc is for optical media; disk refers to disk drives like HDD/SSD
Flash memory

This uses the same technology as solid state. However, more widely
available so have lower costs and are extremely portable.

Flash memory chips made up of semiconductor material within

an integrated circuit. There are no moving parts.

Used in: USBS, phones, portable computers, motherboards

(CMOS/BIOS), cameras, SD cards etc.