L E C T U R E 2
H A R D W A R E
I N T 2 0 6 5
F O U N D AT I O N S O F
I N F O R M AT I O N &
C O M M U N I C AT I O N
T E C H N O L O G I E S
( I C T )
• Hardware, Software &
Firmware
• Computer Architecture
• Processing, memory,
and storage
• Peripherals – Input
devices and output
devices
• Different Form Factors
• Data Representation
CONTENTS
HARDWARE,
SOFTWARE &
FIRMWARE
HARDWARE, SOFTWARE & FIRMWARE
• Computing is an applied science. It resolves the finitely calculatable type of problem.
– Discrete (not continuous).
– Scope: – ∞ < n < + ∞
• The solution in forms of tools / wares may include those:
– Changing seldomly, we make them as hardware 硬件: Touchable, physical.
– Changing frequently, we set them as software 軟件: Intangible, virtual.
– Changing sometimes, we treat them as firmware 固件: Not changeable directly.
• Their combination defines the solution
– The idea of how to eat defines the shapes of spoon, fork, knife, & even chopsticks
– When buying a computer, the components should be matched with the intended application,
e.g., buy GPU to play advanced games.
T H E CO M B I N AT I O N O F
HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
• e.g., Multi-bit screwdriver
– The handle is hardware
– The screw heads are firmware
– The design is software
• Conversion between hardware
and software
– e.g., Typography 印刷術 vs
Calligraphy 書法
COMPUTER
ARCHITECTURE
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
• Computers are data processing devices
• Perform 4 major functions / roles
– Input: Gathers data, enter data The Von Neumann architecture
– Process: Manipulates, calculates, or organizes data
– Output: Displays data and information
– Storage: Saves data and information
• Transformation:
– (collect) Raw Data
– (process) Information
– Intelligence (decide)
• Quality: Garbage-In-Garbage-Out (GIGO)
– Relevant, Accurate (/ reliable), Timely, etc.
DATA P R O C E S S I N G D O W N TO E A RT H
THE COMPONENTS
IN THE SYSTEM UNIT
• Motherboard: Connect components with System
Bus circuits
• CPU: x86 (Intel, AMD), ARM (Apple, Qualcomm,
Huawei), RISC-V (Alibaba)
• ROM, RAM (DDR), Cache
• Storage: SSD (NVME, SATA) / HDD (SCSI, SATA)
• Expansion: GPU
• Ports:
– Display – HDMI, DP, VGA
– USB – A, C
– Network Interface Card (NIC) – LAN, Wi-Fi
– Sound Chip (AC97) / Audio I/O
– Jumpers – Power, Reset, LEDs
• Powers: PSU, C-MOS Battery
Intel BUS
SYSTEM BUS (CIRCUITS) architecture
• Bus passes passengers (data) through stops.
• In the old days, a computer is hosted in several
cabinets. Data is traveling through a bus-bar.
• The system bus consists of 3 types of sub-buses:
– Control bus (deals with operations)
– Address bus (finding specific locations)
PSU Storage
– Data bus (transmit data) board
DEC
PDP-11
BUS back
pane.
To insert
the other
3 boards
on it Switch
panel RAM board (1MB)
CPU board
PROCESSOR – CENTRAL
PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
• The “Brain” of computer co-ordinate the functioning of all components.
• Sub-components
• Control Unit
• Orchestrates the processing operations according to the program's instructions decoded.
Directing the flow of data among registers, arithmetic/logic unit, and input/output devices
operate in unison.
• Arithmetic Logic Unit
• Performs arithmetic and bitwise operations
• Speed, e.g., 3GHz = 3,000,000,000 or 3*109 machine cycles per second
• Cores & Threads: run operations in parallelly and concurrently.
• Machine cycle (≈ 1 instruction)
• Fetch data from memory
• Decode instruction
• Execute and transform the data
• Store the result to memory
BENCHMARK
MEMORY
• Read-only memory (ROM)
– Serves as a Firmware
– BIOS (Basic Input Output System) & UEFI (Unified Extensible
Firmware Interface)
• Stores booting instructions, e.g., Power-On Self Test (POST)
• The system configuration is stored in CMOS, charged by a battery
• UEFI replaces BIOS with new features, e.g. GUI, mouse, security,
etc.
• Random Access Memory (RAM)
– Stores instructions and data
– Series of several memory cards or modules
– Temporary storage
‘PERMANENT’
STORAGE
• SSD (Solid State Drive, semiconductor)
– Interface: NVME, SATA
• HDD (Hard Disk Drive, mechanical)
– Interface: SATA, SCSI, SAS, USB (external)
– Serial ATA (SATA) – up to 600MB/s
– Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) –
up to 640MB/s
– Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) – up to
1,500MB/s
• USB Flash Drive / Card
• Optical media
– CD, DVD, Blu-ray, MD, etc.
MEMORIES HIERARCHY
IN TERMS OF SPEED
• CPU
– Register 暫存器
– Cache 快取 (S-RAM)
• Motherboard
– Main Memory (DRAM Dynamic-RAM)
– CXL-Memory (devices)
– NVM Non-Volatile Memory (ROM, CMOS)
– Disaggregated Memory (Network)
• Storage
– SSD
– Flash
– HDD
– Blue Ray, CD/DVD RW/ROM
– Tape
CLOUD STORAGE
• A kind of SaaS (Software as a Service)
– Storing electronic files on the Internet instead of a local computer
– Advantage:
• Sharing among devices and friends or colleagues
• Save local storage space especially on a cell phone
– Disadvantage:
• Limited quota by budget
• Connection on-line
• Connection metering and speed limit
– e.g. Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.
GRAPHICS PROCESSING UNIT (GPU)
• A specialized electronic circuit initially designed for digital image processing and to
accelerate graphics display
• Being present either as a discrete video card or embedded on motherboards, smart
phones, personal computers, workstations, and game consoles.
• After their initial design, GPUs were found to be useful for non-graphic calculations
involving embarrassingly parallel problems due to their parallel structure. Other non-
graphical uses include the training of neural networks and
cryptocurrency mining.
nVidia, Max 24GB RAM, $15~40K
PORTS / CONNECT TO PERIPHERALS
• Video: HDMI, DP, DVI, VGA
• LAN (Ethernet) port
• Audio: Microphone, Speaker
– Auxiliary (AUX) cables are a simple way to connect devices like soundbars and televisions
together. You can also connect devices like phones and laptops to speakers.
• USB (Universal Serial Bus)
– Connector: A, B, Mini, Micro, C
– Version & speed: 2.0 (480Mb), 3.2 (20Gb), 4.0 (40~80Gb)
• Thunderbolt: by Apple, USB-C, v5, 40Gb
• OCuLink: for external GPU
PERIPHERALS –
INPUT AND
OUTPUT DEVICES
I N P U T. 1
• Keyboard
– Enter text, esp. good for large volume. Speedy if skillful.
• Pointing device
– Mouse
• Direct selects / instructs on a (G)UI. Avoid typo and memory strain.
– Trackball
• Saves some more table space than mouse
– Touchpad
• Emulates mouse. Saves space and portable. Multi-touch enables gesture to simplify input
I N P U T. 2
• Pen Input • Cameras / webcams
• Precise select & apply in, e.g. • Taking photo, video, or web meeting
drawing
• Scanner
• Stylus
• Accurate photography
• Digital Pen
• Game controller
• Microphone • Specialized for different gaming needs
• For recording, meeting, & • Joystick
commanding by Speech. • Gamepad
• Avoids learning typing skill • Dance pad
• Intrinsic & fast, by offloading users’ • (Driving) Wheel
cognitive duties onto speedy • Motion-sensing controller
machine
OUTPUT
• 3D-Projectors
• Monitor
• VR/AR headset
• OLED, E-Ink/Paper
• Printers
• Speakers
• Paper ones produce text
• Address our hearing sense
& graphic document
• (New: “Acoustically transparent” LED • Ink-jet
movie screen) • Laser
• Headphones • Multifunction device (MFD /
MFP)
• Wearable form of speakers (& • Mobile
microphone) • Plotter
• Earbuds
• 3-D ones produce
• Headsets
prototypes and final
• Sound / Voice synthesizer products, with polymer /
• Specialized tools for music production plastic, metal, and
biomass.
• Projectors
• Relatively cheap solution for a lot of
audients
BOTH INPUT & OUTPUT
• Touchscreen / multitouch screens
– Mixes input & output with transparent
touchpad mounted. Saves extra pointing
device (mouse, stylus), and even table
space at all.
• Multi-Function Printer
– Printer (output)
– Scanner (input)
– Fax (I/O)
• Headset with microphone
DIFFERENT
F ORM FACTOR S
CLASSIFY BY SIZE
• Mainframe • PC Server
– Centralized core computing – Act the similar role of Mainframe • Tablet
– Handheld carriable
– Multiuser operations simultaneously – Diverse functionality
– Touch input
– Complex calculations & transaction – Much cheaper
– Simplified functions
– Speedy connections • Desktop PC / Game Console
– Reliable • Smart phone
– Personal use
– Used by Banks – Pocket carriable
– Powerful functions
– e.g. IBM Z – Touch input
– Sufficient storage
– Phone communication
• Mid-range / Mini-computer – Diverse applications
• VR/AR headset
– Trim down version of Mainframe – All-In-One (AIO, Monitor+System)
– Wearable
– Used by Insurance company • Less space required
– Immersive senses
– e.g. IBM iSeries / AS400, DEC PDP-11 • (iMac) Hard to maintain
• Smart Watch
• Workstation (obsoleted) • Laptop / Notebook
– Touch & voice input
– High performance in technical and – Personal use
– Limited functions
scientific applications – Portable PC
– Used by a single user • Embedded / IoT
– Less powerful than desktop
– e.g. IBM Power R6000, Silicon – Finger / Palm size
– Save space
Graphics workstation – Dedicated purposes
– Self-contained
WHY DIFFERENCES?
• The form factor reflects the needs and usages.
• The configuration reflects the needs and budget.
• Better configuration can run resource-intensive
applications, e.g., multi-tasking, gaming, etc.
• The price different among brands
• Brand named PCs are used to have management
features, e.g., Intel’s AMT (Active Management
Technology) for enterprise market segment.
DATA
R E P R E S E N TAT I O N
BINARY SYSTEM
• Bit
– The off (0) and on (1) states of each of the millions of
transistor
• Byte
– The unique combination of these bits (8 bits) to
represent letter, number, or character symbols
• Text encoding scheme
– ASCII (American Standard Code for Information
Interchange)
– Unicode
27+26+25+24+23
+22+21+20
‘E’ = 01000101
64+4+1 = 69
THE UNIT MEASUREMENTS
Name Abbreviation Number of bytes
Byte B 1 byte
Kilobyte KB 1,024 bytes ( bytes)
Megabyte MB 1,048,576 bytes ( bytes)
Gigabyte GB 1,073,741,824 bytes ( bytes)
Terabyte TB 1,099,511,627,776 bytes ( bytes)
Petabyte PB 1,125,899,906,842,62 bytes ( bytes)
Exabyte EB 1,152,921,504,606,846,976 bytes ( bytes)
Zettabyte ZB 1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424 bytes ( bytes)
