Technology

Rationale:
This module provides a foundation for all professional computer personnel in computer technology and related topics, in particular the areas of: number systems, hardware, operating systems, systems software, networks and system performance measurement.

Aims: 

• To develop an understanding of the principles underlying the construction of computer systems
• To introduce the fundamental building blocks of all digital computers and the operating principles of computer peripherals
• To evaluate critically the performance data quoted for computer systems

Objectives:

• Use Boolean algebra and other digital design techniques to construct the basic circuits such as adders used to build computers
• Use low-level instructions and addressing modes to construct a simple program
• Read the technical specification of a PC system, interpret the performance indicators, and explain their significance to non-computer personnel
• Appreciate the importance of the memory hierarchy of a computer system and its peripherals
• Describe the operating principles of commonly used peripheral devices, their characteristics and performance
• Understand the role of compliers and similar system resources
• Use the Internet to find information on the performance of computer systems and trends in computer systems
• Understand the way in which digital information is transmitted across networks, the characteristics of data paths and the need for modulation

Prior Knowledge Expected:

None

Content:

1 FUNDAMENTALS

• Number representation (e.g. binary, hexadecimal) and the conversion between bases
• Representation of negative numbers, fractional numbers, and floating point numbers
• Gates: AND, OR, NAND, NOR, EOR, inverter
• Sequential logic elements: D flip-flops, RS flip-flops, JK flip-flops
• Simple logic circuits: Full adder, multiplexer, shift register, counter
• Boolean algebra, simplification of logic equations, truth tables

2 PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURE

• The concept of a stored program and the fetch/execute cycle Structure of the CPU at the level of registers, buses, and functional units Instruction formats (one-, two-, and three-address formats)
• Typical computer instructions (data movement, arithmetical and logical, flow control)
• Trends in processor technology
• Information storage: The memory hierarchy from cache to secondary storage
• The operation of both magnetic and optical storage devices, their performance and characteristics
• The characteristics and performance of peripherals; for example, display devices, printers, keyboards etc
• Input/output techniques: peripheral polling and interrupt driven I/O

3 INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEMS AND SYSTEM SOFTWARE

• The human interface
• Multitasking: interrupts, concurrency, scheduling, memory management
• System software: Internet browsers, email systems, security products (e.g. anti virus software)
• System performance and its evaluation: definition, measurement and benchmark

4 NETWORKS

• Communication principles: characteristics of transmission media, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and wireless technologies
• Protocols for data transmission: ISO 7-layer model forOSI The data link layer and typical protocols Communications equipment: modems, routers and bridges The Internet
• Malware: viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware and their effect on system reliability and performance
• Future trends in computer communications