Key terms

(Below is a list of key terms from unit 2. This list is not a list of all key terms and further revision
should be used alongside this list.)

Computer aided design / computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) – A technology system used to
design component parts on a computer and to send the design to robotic tools that manufacture the
parts. Cad systems are also used to create plans for buildings. The plans are printed out using an
inkjet plotter onto large pieces of paper.

Point of sale (PoS) – computerised tills that communicate with a database to keep track of stock.
The information stored in the database updates with every item sold.

Sustainability – Using resources in such a way that we meet the needs of the present generation
without affecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability involves
protecting the environment so that we will continue to have the water, food and other resources
that we need.

Malware – Software that is created to harm computers and/or technology systems. Malware
includes: spyware, viruses, worms, and my others that are able to infect your computer to damage
how it works or to obtain sensitive information.

Force feedback device – A device used to provide you with touch output from a computer device. A
games controller uses this technology when it vibrates. An example of how this technology might be
used in future is feedback given to a user when they are using a robotic arm.

Actuators – motors that can be controlled by a technology system such as a motor used to move
part of a robot arm.

Solid state drive (SSD) – A data storage device

Optical media – CDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs are examples of optical media disks.

Automated system – A system that uses technology and control systems. It doesn’t usually require
human intervention. (Airport baggage system, self-service tills, production line)

Radio frequency identification (RFID) – The use of a wireless non-contact system that uses radio
waves to transfer data from a tag attached to an object or person. The technology is mainly used for
purposes of automatic identification and tracking.

3G mobile photo technology – 3G stands for third generation and refers to technology which
supports fast data-transmission speeds and increased network capacity and networks through a
smart phone.

Dongle – A small hardware device that plugs into the USB to provide functionally such as connecting
to Wi-Fi.
Synchronise – In this units context, is means making the same data available using different devices.
If you’re using different devices, then each time you use a new device the data will need to ‘sync’ so
that you are using the most up-to-date data.

Podcast – A download from the BBC, Apple, etc in the form of a an audio or video file. Once
downloaded is can be saved and listened to/viewed when required.

Cabled topology – When devices connect using cable rather than wireless.

Switch – A box with ports (sockets) that are used to plug in the network cables. Cabled networks use
switches to connect the devices together.

Machine code – A computer programming language made up of binary or hexadecimal instructions

that a computer can respond to directly.

RAM – Stands for Random Access Memory

Central processing unit – The part of the computer that controls the entire system and processes
the data.

Graphical processing unit (GPU) – A key component that supports the delivery and quality of
graphics.

Clock speed – How quickly a component works – the faster the better.

Multiple processing core – where multiple cores (CPUs) read and execute program instructions
simultaneously.

Cache memory – A fast memory that is used as a buffer between CPU and RAM

Power supply unit (PSU) –Every computer system unit has a PSU that plugs into the mains electricity
socket. It converts mains electricity into low voltage electricity for the computer components. Ever
PSU provides the same voltage but some provide more power than others. For example a 600W PSU
is more powerful than a 400W PSU.

Solid state – a component with no moving parts such as a solid state drive.

Dynamic RAM – OR DRAM, is a type of memory that contains programs in use.

Static RAM or SRAM – is a type of memory that store data, and which doesn’t need to be continually
refreshed.

Flash memory – A type of memory which can be deleted and reprogrammed in blocks memory.

Battery life – How long the battery lasts in a mobile device.

Systems on a chip (SoC) – This ia a single chip (integrated circuit) containing all the computer circuits
an embedded device needs to operate. (Mobiles, microwaves)

Chip – a microchip, often called a chip, is an intergrated circuit.

Traditional platform – A computer using a mains power with systm unit, keyboard, mouse, screen
and hard drive.

Analogue data – is data represented by an electrical signal, or waves (sound). Analogue data is
transmitted over strdiotional telephone lines.
Digital data – data transmitted or stored using bits and bytes.

Encrypt – to protect data using a series of code or passwords

Bit – a place where either of two digits 0 and 1 are kept. Bits are usually grouped into eight to make
a byte. A byte is really useful, as there are 256 different ways the 8 bits can be arranged.

Byte – A unit of digital data made up of 8 bits.

Word – a fixed sized group of bits (binary data) this handled as a group by the instrucations set and
CPU

American standard code for information interchange (ASCII) – The system used in most computer
systems to hold alphabet and numeric characters. In this system 01000001 (65) is used for A,
01000010 (66) is used for B, and so on.

Binary format – This format uses just 2 digits 0 and 1.

Operating system – The software that runs on computers and manages the computer hardware.

Utility application – A program which can be used to monitor, improve and/or maintain a system.

Command line interface – Used by older systems such as DOS, where you have to type commands
into a prompt.

Graphical user interface – uses windows, menus, icons and pointers to give visual interaction and
commands.

Hierarchical structure – An arrangement of items or data in a tree like structure, which ranks the
most important items or data in layers.

Mnemonics – Assembly language consists of a number of Mnemonics (abbreviations) such as MOV

(move instruction) each mnemonic is equivalent to a machine code instruction.

Variable – Memory that the programmer declares with a name which the program can use for
calculations or outputs

Declaration – A statement that gives the name of the variable and states what type of data it can
contain.

Scope – How much of the program can use a variable (global/local)

Subroutine – A set of instructions designed to perform an operation within a program.

Assignment – A statement that assigns a value to a variable (can also assign the result of a
calculation e.g. Score = 1 + 2)

Constant – Very similar to a variable, except that the constant is given a value in the declaration
statement and that value is not changed by any other parts of the program.

Event handler – The event handler for an object is the code that runs when that event occurred. For
example code that runs on a button click.