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CHAPTER 2
INPUT OUTPUT MEMORY DEVICES

OBJECTIVES
 To identify the types and purposes of specialized input devices
 Output devices
 Memory devices
 Storage devices
 Cache Memory

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2.1 Input Devices

An input device is used to feed data into a computer. The human understandable form (usually
English/Kannada or any other language) is converted into machine understandable form 0’s and 1’s (digital
or analog signals). Input devices are capable of converting data into a form which can be recognized by
computer. A computer can have several input devices. Namely Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick, OCR, MICR
etc.
Ø Input and output devices connect the external world to the computer system.

2.1.1 Keyboard

Figure 2.1 Keyboard

The most common input device is the keyboard. Keyboard consists of a set of typewriter like
keys that enable you to enter data into a computer. They have alphabetic keys to enter letters, numeric
keys to enter numbers, punctuation keys to enter comma, period, and semicolon etc., functional keys
to perform some specific functions. The keyboard detects the key pressed and generates the corresponding
ASCII codes which can be recognized by the computer.

Standard Ergonomic Wireless Virtual Compact

Figure 2.2 Types of keyboard

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Standard keyboards have their basic layout. The average number of keys on a regular keyboard
is 105/108, though range of 95-108 slight variations, especially in the manner the keys are placed. QWERTY
keyboards are the most common and have the six alphabets Q, W, E, R, T, and Y in the first row.
Ergonomics refers to the study of methods that can reduce stress on muscles to avoid repetitive
strain injury. It mostly deals with optimizing posture and technique while working, so the work can be
carried out in the easiest manner with the least possible strain on any muscle joint or organ. Ergonomic
keyboards are designed in such a way that typing can be done putting the least amount of stress on the
fingers and wrist. This is a radical type of keyboard designed to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Wireless Keyboard is a keyboard that does not need to be connected to the computer via a wire.
This makes it very convenient for the user to use the keyboard comfortably. Wireless keyboard use
Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), and Radio Frequency to connect to the computer with the help of batteries and
transmitted and receiver with the range 1 to 40 feet distance contact between the computer and the
keyboard type very ineffective.
Virtual keyboards are software devices that let you input data just like a hardware keyboard. They
open up as an application and can be controlled by a mouse or via a touch screen. They are mainly used
in devices which do not necessarily require a keyboard, like a tablet or a smart-phone. They are useful as
they aid in making the size of the device smaller. Virtual keyboards are also used in situations concerning
security, as anything entered on an ordinary keyboard is recorded in a key log, leading to security risks
associated with passwords or PIN numbers. This is the reason many banks provide the facility of a virtual
keyboard in their online banking operations.
Compact keyboards are slim and usually do not have the numeric keypad that is present on the
right side of other keyboards. These are typically used in laptops, where sizing issues make it difficult to
accommodate a standard keyboard. To make up for the small size, these keyboards rely on the use of
multiple keys to carry out functions that would only use a single key on a standard-sized keyboard. Some
models also include a touch-pad that can be used instead of the mouse. These are not extremely small in
size, but offer portability during travel and storage. Another benefit of compact keyboards is that they can
be used by people with certain disabilities that hinder them from effectively using hand and finger movements.

2.1.2 Mouse
Mouse is an input device that controls the movement of the cursor on the display screen. The display
screen is map in the form of graphical points dot is called pixels. The number of pixels differs depending
upon the resolution of the screen. Mouse is a small device; you can roll/navigate along a flat surface. In a
mouse, a small ball/ IR rays is kept inside and touches the pad through a hole at the bottom of the mouse.
When the mouse is moved, the ball rolls/position on the screen. This movement of the ball/position is
converted into signals and sent to the computer. You will need to click the button at the top of the mouse
to select the option. Mouse pad is a pad over which you can move a mouse. Mouse is very popular in
modern computers.

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Manual mouse RJ Scroll Mouse USB mouse Wireless mouse

Figure 2.3 Types of Mouse

2.1.3 Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or
direction to the device it is controlling.

Video game joystick elements: The movements of the joystick is been identified
1. Stick 2. Base 3.Trigger 4. Extra buttons 5. Auto with the axis form x, y and z with three
fires switch 6. Throttle 7. Tat switch (POV hat)

Figure 2.4 Joystick

Joysticks are often used to control video games, simulated programs, usually have one or
more push-buttons whose state can also be read by the computer. A popular variation of the
joystick used on modern video game consoles is the analog stick. Joysticks are also used for
controlling machines such as cranes, trucks, underwater unmanned vehicles, surveillance cameras
and zero turning radius lawn mowers. Miniature finger-operated joysticks have been adopted as
input devices for smaller electronic equipment.

2.1.4 OMR, OCR and MICR

Optical reading of the pictures, symbols and shapes are scanned with the help of laser beam,
usually the position is pre-programmed, accessed and documented instantly.

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i. Optical Mark Reading and Recognition (OMR)

Special pre-printed forms are designed with boxes which can be marked with a dark pencil or ink. Such documents
are read by a reader, which transcribes the marks into electrical pulses which are transmitted to the computer. They
are widely used in applications like objective type answer papers evaluation in which large number of candidates
appear, time sheets of factory employees etc.

ii. Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Figure 2.6 OCR Sheet

The OCR technique permits the direct reading of any printed character without any special ink. With
OCR, a user can scan a page from a book. The computer will recognize the characters in the page as
letters and punctuation marks, and stores. This can be edited using a word processor the size (width,
height and depth) of the scanned.

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iii. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

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Figure2.7 MICR Cheque

MICR is widely used by banks to process cheques. Human readable numbers are printed on
documents such as cheque using a special magnetic ink. The cheque can be read using a special input unit,
which can recognize magnetic ink characters. This method eliminates the manual errors. It also saves time,
ensures security and accuracy of data.

2.2 Introduction to output devices

Output is the result/information that is obtained after processing. The information must be presented
in the human understandable form (usually from 0’s and 1’s to English/Kannada or any other language) is
capable of presenting information on to the output devices. There are many output devices attached with
the computers. The monitors and printers are commonly used output devices.

2.2.1 Monitors
Monitor is a commonly used output device, sometimes called as display screen/Visual display unit
(VDU). It provides a visual display of data. Monitors are connected with the computer and are similar in
appearance to a television set.

Figure 2.8 Monitor

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 Initially there were only monochrome monitors. But gradually, we have monitors that display colour.
Monitors display images and text. The smallest dot that can be displayed is called a pixel (picture element).
The resolution of the screen improves as the number of pixels is increased. Most of the monitors have a
4:3 width to height ratio. This is called ‘aspect ratio’. The number of pixels that can be displayed vertically
and horizontally gives the resolution of the monitor. The resolution of the monitor determines the quality
of the display. Some popular resolutions are 640x480 pixels, 800x600 pixels and 1024x768 pixels. A
resolution of 1024x768 pixels will produce sharper image than 640x480 pixels. The size of the monitor
is measured diagonally may be 12",14",17",19", 21" and based on technology.

CRT LCD TFT LED

Cathode ray tube Liquid Crystal Display Thin Film Transistors Light Emitting
diode

Figure 2.9 Types of Monitors

2.2.2 Printers
Printer is an output device that prints text or images on paper or other media (like transparencies). By
printing you create what is known as a ‘hard copy’. There are different kinds of printers, which vary in
their speed and print quality.
The two main types of printers are impact printers and non-impact printers.

PRINTERS
IMPACT NON-IMAPACT

LINE PRINTER DOT MATRIX INKJET LASER THERMAL

Figure2.10 Types of Printers

Impact printers include printers that print by striking device against inked ribbon. Impact printers
use a print head containing a number of metal pins, which strike an inked ribbon placed between the print
head and the paper. Line printers, dot-matrix printers are some of the impact printers.

Ø The programs and data present in the memory is called as soft copy.
Ø The programs and data present on the paper is called as hard copy.

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2.2.2.1 Characteristics of impact printers

Ø eÁw
In impact printers, there is physical contact with the paper to produce an image. Due to being
robust and low cost, they are useful for bulk printing.
Ø Impact printers are ideal for printing multiple copies (that is, carbon copies) because they can
easily print through many layers of paper.
Ø Due to its striking activity, impact printers are very noisy.
Ø Since they are mechanical in nature, they tend to be slow.
Ø Impact printers do not support transparencies.
Ø Measured with characters per seconds (cps).

2.2.2.2 Characteristics of Non-impact printers

Non-impact printers do not use striking device, the ink or semi-solid ink is stored in the printer
cartridges and the flow of ink is controlled by the processors which is much faster and can print colour,
different font and size also.
Ø They are quiet than impact printers because there is no striking mechanism involved.
Ø They possess the ability to change type faces automatically.
Ø These printers produce high-quality graphics
Ø These printers usually support the transparencies
Ø These printers cannot print multi part forms because no impact is being made on the paper.
Ø Measured in dots per inches (dpi)
Ø The speed is calculated by the number of pages per minute (ppm)
Ø The size of the printing various A4, A3, A2, A0 and Jumbo size.

2.2.2.3 Line Printer

Line printers are high-speed printers capable of printing an entire line at a time. A line printer can
print 150 lines to 3000 lines per minute. The limitations of line printer are they can print only one font, they
cannot print graphics, the print quality is low and they are noisy to operate. But it can print large volume
of text data very fast compared to the other printers. It is also used to print on multi part stationeries to
prepare copies of a document.

Figure 2.11 Line Printer

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2.2.2.4 Dot Matrix Printer

The most popular serial printer is the dot matrix printer. It prints one line of 8 or 14 points at a
time, with print head moving across a line. They are similar to typewriters. They are normally slow. The
printing speed is around 300 characters per second. It uses multi part stationeries to prepare copies of a
document.

Figure 2.12 Dot Matrix Printers

2.2.2.5 Thermal Printer

Thermal printers are printers that produce images by pushing electrically heated pins against special
heat-sensitive paper. They are inexpensive and used widely in fax machines and calculators.

Figure 2.13 Thermal Printer

Thermal printer paper tends to darken over time due to exposure to sunlight and heat. So the printed
matters on the paper fade after a week or two. It also produces a poor quality print.

2.2.2.6 Laser Printers

Laser printers use a laser beam and dry powdered ink to produce a fine dot matrix pattern. It can
produce very good quality of graphic images. One of the chief characteristics of laser printers is their
resolution – how many dots per inch (dpi) they lay down. The available resolutions range from 300 dpi at
the low end to around 1200 dpi at the high end.

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Figure 2.14 Laser Printer

2.2.2.7 Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers use colour cartridges which combine magenta, yellow and cyan inks to create colour
tones. A black cartridge is also used for crisp monochrome output. Inkjet printers work by spraying
ionizing ink at a sheet of paper. Magnetized plates in the ink’s path direct the ink onto the paper in the
described shape.

Figure2.15 Inkjet Printer

2.2.2.8 Plotter Printers

Plotter is an output device that draws pictures on paper based on commands from a computer.
Plotters differ from printers in that they draw lines using a pen. As a result, they can produce continuous
lines, whereas printers can only simulate lines by printing a closely spaced series of dots. Multicolor
plotters use different-colored pens to draw different colors.

In general, plotters are considerably more expensive than printers. They are used in engineering
applications where precision is mandatory.

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2.2.3 Speakers
The speakers are the output units. The sound signals from analog/digital are converted into audible
frequency in the speakers and produce voice output (audio data). Using speakers along with speech
synthesizer software, the computer can provide voice output. Voice output has become very common in
many places like airlines, banks, automatic telephone enquiry system etc. Users can also hear music/
songs using the voice output system. The advance in the development of the speakers are given rise to the
track system of output sound based on the position of the speakers and the numbers of tracks output.
Namely 2.1 or 5.1 which indicates the position of the speakers and tracking systems. The latest speakers
are crystal clear audio. Walkman speakers are smaller in size with less watts and disables. Today the
speakers are with the subwoofer and 2/3/4 speakers.

Figure 2.16 Speakers

2.3 Introduction to Memory devices

Memory is the most essential part of the computer. Memory is storage part of the computer. We
need memory to store the data. This storage enables us to use the stored data to in future. Computer
memory is mainly divided as primary memory and secondary memory.
The memory and storage devices are measured in terms of bits and bytes, the measurements in
used are 0 ,1 binary digit (bit).
8 bits make a byte.2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2*2=1024. 210
210 bytes 1024 bytes 1 Kilo byte
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2 bytes 1024 Kilo bytes 1 Mega byte
230bytes 1024 Mega bytes 1 Giga byte
240bytes 1024 Giga bytes 1 Terra byte
250bytes 1024 Terra bytes 1 Peta byte
60
2 bytes 1024 Peta bytes 1 Exa byte
270bytes 1024 Exa bytes 1 Zeta byte
280bytes 1024 Zeta bytes 1 Yotta byte
90
2 bytes 1024 Yotta bytes 1 Bronto byte
2100bytes 1024 Bronto bytes 1 Geop byte

Table 1.0
Units of Measurements in computer for Primary Memory and secondary memory

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2.3.1 Primary Memory

Memory
eÁw units are the storage areas in the computer. The term "memory" usually refers to the main
memory of the computer, whereas the word “storage” is used for the memory that exists on disks, CD's,
floppies or tapes. The main memory is usually called a physical memory which refers to the ‘chip’
(Integrated Circuit) capable of holding data and instruction.

Figure 2.17 Memory Unit

There are different types of memories: ROM and RAM

Figure 2.18 Different types of ROM

They are Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
(EEPROM).
Read Only Memory - ROM
In ROM, the information is burnt (pre-recorded) into the ROM chip at manufacturing time. Once data
has been written into a ROM chip, it cannot be erased but you can read it. When we switch OFF the
computer, the contents of the ROM are not erased, but remain stored permanently. ROM is a non-
volatile memory. ROM stores critical programs such as the program that boots the computer.
Programmable Read Only Memory - PROM
PROM is a memory on which data can be written only once. A variation of the PROM chip is that it is
not burnt at the manufacturing time, but can be programmed using PROM programmer or a PROM
burner. PROM is also a non-volatile memory.
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory – EPROM
In EPROM, the information can be erased and re-programmed using a special PROM – programmer.
EPROM is non-volatile memory. A n EPROM differs from a PROM in that a PROM can be written to
only once and cannot be erased. But an ultraviolet light is used to erase the contents of the EPROM.

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Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory – EEPROM

EEPROM is a recently developed type of memory. This is equivalent to EPROM, but does not
require ultraviolet light to erase its content. It can be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge. It is also
non-volatile in nature. EEPROM is not as fast as RAM or other types of ROM. A flash memory is a
special type of EEPROM that can be erased and re-programmed.
Random Access Memory - RAM
RAM is the most common type of memory found in the modern computers. This is really the main store
and is the place where the program gets stored temporary. When the CPU runs a program, it fetches the
program instructions from the RAM and carries them out. If the CPU needs to store the results of the
calculations it can store them in RAM. When we switch OFF a computer, whatever is stored in the RAM
gets erased. It is a volatile form of memory.

Figure 2.19 RAM

The main memory must store many data items and have some way of retrieving them when they are
needed. The memory can be compared to the boxes at a post office. Each box-holder has a box with a
unique number which is called its address. This address serves to identify the box. The memory has a
number of locations in its store. Each location in a memory has a unique number called its memory
address. This serves to identify it for storage and retrieval.
Operations on memories are called reads and writes, defined from the perspective of a processor
or other device that uses a memory: A write instruction transfers information from other device to memory
and a read instruction transfers information from the memory to other devices. A memory that performs
both reads and writes is often called a RAM.
In a computer system, the clock signal is an oscillating frequency used to coordinate interaction
between digital circuits. Simply put, it synchronizes communication. Digital circuits designed to operate
on the clock signal may respond at the rising or falling edge of the signal. SDRAM memory chips used
only the rising edge of the signal to transfer data, while DDRRAM transfers data on both the rising and
falling edges of the clock signal, making it essentially twice as fast as SDRAM. RAM speed works in
conjunction with the front side bus (FSB) of a computer system. The FSB is the two-way data channel
that sends information from the central processing unit (CPU) throughout the motherboard to the various
components, including the RAM, BIOS chips, hard drives and PCI slots.

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Types ofeÁw
RAM

Figure 2.20 Types of RAM

EDO RAM (extended data output RAM)

EDO (extended data output) RAM is a type of random access memory (RAM) chip that improves
the time to read from memory on faster microprocessors such as the Intel Pentium. EDO RAM was
initially optimized for the 66 MHz Pentium.
Static random-access memory (SRAM) is a type of semiconductor memory that uses bi-stable
latching circuitry to store each bit. The term static differentiates it from dynamic RAM
(DRAM) which must be periodically refreshed. SRAM exhibits data remainence, but it is still volatile in
the conventional sense that data is eventually lost when the memory is not powered. FSB will be 166
MHz.
Double-Data-Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, better known as DDR
SDRAM or DDR RAM for short, is a type of very fast computer memory. It’s based on the same
architecture as SDRAM, but uses the clock signal differently to transfer twice the data in the same amount
of time.
DDR SDRAM at 400 MHz (DDR-400 or PC-3200)
DDR2 SDRAM at 800 MHz (DDR2-800 or PC2-6400)
DDR3 SDRAM at 1600 MHz (DDR3-1600 or PC3-12800)
Suppose a computer system has DDR memory, a Memory Divider of 1:1, a FSB operating at
200 MHz and a CPU multiplier of 10x. Then, the base memory clock will operate at (Memory Divider)
× (FSB) = 1 × 200 = 200 MHz and the effective memory clock would be 400 MHz since it’s a DDR
system (“DDR” stands for Double Data Rate; the effective memory clock speed is double the actual
clock speed). The CPU will operate at 10 × 200 MHz = 2.0 GHz. Using I/O bus frequency of 200 MHz
various types of DRAM will operate.

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2.3.2 Secondary Memory

The computer may need to store data, programs etc., (because the primary memory is volatile).
Secondary storage is also called backup storage. Secondary storage can be used to transmit data to
another computer either immediately or a later time. This provides a mechanism for storing a large amount
of data for a long period of time. Some of the commonly used secondary storage devices are hard disks,
magnetic tapes, floppy disks and CD-ROM. To understand the physical mechanism of secondary storage
devices one must have basic knowledge of magnetism, electronics and electro mechanical systems. The
average time required to reach a storage location and obtain its contents is called its access time. In
electro mechanical devices with moving parts such as disks and tapes, the access time consists of a seek
time required to position the read write head to a location and transfer time required to transfer the data
to or from the device.

Figure2.21 Hard Disk Drive

Hard Disk
Hard disk is a magnetic disk on which you can store computer data. The hard disk is direct-access
storage medium. This means you can store and retrieve data randomly. Disk storage systems are essentially
based on magnetic properties. The magnetic disk consists of high speed rotating surfaces coated with a
magnetic recording medium. The rotating surface of the disk is a round flat plate. When writing data, a
write head magnetizes the particles on the disk surface as either north or south poles. When reading data,
a read head converts the magnetic polarizations on the disk surface to a sequence of pulses. The read and
write heads are generally combined into a single head unit. There may be more than one read/write head.
Data is arranged as a series of concentric rings. Each ring(called a track) is sub-divided into a number of
sectors, each sector holding a specific number of data elements (bytes or characters).

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Figure 2.22 A track subdivided into sectors

The smallest unit that can be written to or read from the disk is a sector. Once a read or write
request has been received by the disk unit, there is a delay involved until the required sector reaches the
read/write head. This is known as rotational latency, and on average is one half of the period of revolution.
The storage capacity of the disk is determined as (number of tracks * number of sectors * bytes
per sector * number of read/write heads). Thus, the data is stored as magnetized spots arranged in
concentric circles (tracks) on the disk. Each track is divided into sectors. The arrangement of tracks and
sectors on a disk is known as its ‘format’.
High data rates demand that the disk rotates at a high speed(about 80,000 rpm). As the disk rotates
read/write heads move to the correct track and fetch the desired data. The storage capacity of a hard disk
can be Gigabytes (GB). i.e. thousands of Mega bytes of information.

Magnetic Tape
This recording medium contains a thin tape with a coating of a fine magnetic strip, used for recording
digital data. The tape itself is a strip of plastic, coated with a magnetic recording medium. Bits are
recorded as magnetic spots on the tape along several tracks. Usually, seven or nine bits are recorded
simultaneously to form a character together with a parity bit. Read/write heads are mounted one in each
track so that data can be recorded and read as a sequence of characters.

Figure2.23 Magnetic Tape Reader

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Data is stored in frames across the width of the tape. The frames are grouped into blocks or records
which are separated from other blocks by gaps. Magnetic tape is a serial access medium, similar to an
audio cassette, and so data cannot be randomly located. This characteristic has prompted its use in the
regular backing up of hard disks.

Floppy Disk

Figure2.24 Floppy Disk

The floppy drive uses a thin circular disk for data storage. It is a soft magnetic disk. It is a thin
magnetic-coated disk contained in a flexible or semi-rigid protective jacket. The disk rotates at 360rpm
(Rotations per minute). A read/write head makes physical contact with the disk surface. Data is recorded
as a series of tracks sub-divided into sectors. The floppy disks are usually 3.5" in size. However, older
floppy disks may be in use; these would be 5.25" in size or even 8" in size. A 3.5" floppy disk can hold
1.44 MB of data. Once data is stored on a floppy disk it can be ‘write protected’ by clicking a tab on the
disk. This prevents any new data being stored or any old data being erased. Disk drives for floppy disks
are called floppy drives. Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity.
It is less expensive and is portable. It can be accessed randomly.

Optical Disk
Optical disks are the storage medium from which data is read and to which it is written by lasers.
The optical disk is random access storage medium; information can be easily read from any point on the
disk. CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk - Read Only Memory.

Figure 2.24 Compact Disk

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It is now possible to have CD-ROMs where tracks of information can be written on to them by the
user. These
eÁw
are called read/write CD-ROMs and these are becoming a popular and economical method
of storage.

Optical track
Optical track is a recording unit of data on the disc. The information stored on CD-ROM is arranged
according to certain rules, and is shaped like an “Optical track”, called “light rail” in spiral shapes. The
data from the directory inside the CD-ROM (TOC, Table of Contents) is recorded in the starting address
of the number of consecutive logical sectors of an Optical track. The audio CD in a song is corresponding
to a light rail, therefore, there are many light rails. CD-ROM light rails are at most 99 in number. The
minimum length of each light rail is indicated by Time: 4 seconds, or 300 sectors. This value is sometimes
referred to as “threshold.” Less than 4 seconds, light rail, if it cannot be used as light rail, it might be a “bad
Optical track”. The depression part on the Optical track is called information pit and the flat part is called
land. Pit and land are used to record information.CD-R disc has been pressed with spiral groove, known
as the “pre-groove”, instead the pit of optical track. When burning, CD-R disc in a trench in an organic
dye laser irradiation, the formation of bubbles, this is the “pit”. Bubbles, once formed, will not be able to
restore the status quo, therefore, CD-R can only be written once. These “pit” and “land” is the signal after
“8-14 coded modulation” (EFM, Eight to Fourteen Modulation), plus three interval code could access
code to form inside the burning to disc. This treatment can guarantee the accuracy of reading.

Figure2.25 Optical track

DVD Digital Video Disc, that is, “digital video disc.” With the advances in optical disc technology,
it can not only store video program, but also store music, data, along with increased use, it will be this type
of CD-ROM referred to as “Digital Versatile Disc”, and the English name is the Digital Versatile Disc.

BLUE ray disk

Blue-ray Disc, referred as BD. BD disc features are: It consists of a thickness of 1.1mm of the
recording layer and a thickness of only 0.1mm composite made of a transparent protective layer. The
work of the shorter wavelength light source, in the recording layer surface can be comparable with the
operating wavelength of fingerprints, with storage capacity
Recording capacity 23.3GB/25GB/27GB

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Portable storage device

A portable storage device (PSD) is a small hard drive designed to hold any kind of digital data. This is
slightly different from a portable media player, which stores and plays music and movies. Some are fixed
size hard drives of 256GB, 320GB,500Gb,1Tb,2Tb etc. Newer units are expandable using 2.5" laptop hard
drives, allowing for an unlimited storage capacity, which is useful for video and images. When travelling, a
portable storage device may be a useful alternative to backing up or purging memory cards if a computer
is unavailable for downloading.

Figure 2.25 Portable storage device

HDD F la s h D r iv e S e c u r e D is k U S B F lo p p y
2.3.3 Cache Memory

Figure 2.26 Cache memory

The cache is a small amount of high-speed memory, present between the primary memory and CPU
(processor). There are two levels of cache memory L1 and L2, L1 cache memory will present inside the
CPU, whereas the L2 cache will be present on the mother board, cache memory holds the most recent
data/instructions. Usually with a memory cycle time comparable to the time required by the CPU to fetch
one instruction. The cache is usually filled from main memory when instructions or data are fetched into
the CPU. Often the main memory will supply a wider data word to the cache than the CPU requires, to fill
the cache more rapidly. The amount of information which replaces at one time in the cache is called the
line size for the cache. This is normally the width of the data bus between the cache memory and the main
memory. A wide line size for the cache means that several instruction or data words are loaded into the
cache at one time, providing a kind of perfecting for instructions or data.

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Review Question
One mark questions:
1. What is PC?
2. What is the use of input unit?
3. What happens to the data in the input unit?
4. What is the use of memory?
5. What is ROM and RAM?
6. Classify various units of memory.
7. What is cache memory?
8. What does MOUSE stand for ?
9. What is MICR?
10. Define the resolution of a monitor
11. What is use of speakers?
Two marks questions:
1. Compare input and output units.
2. What is difference between volatile and non-volatile memory.
3. Compare static and dynamic Ram
4. Give different types of ROM.
5. Explain the different types of keyboard.
6. Give the difference between hard copy and soft copy.
7. Explain different types of printers.
8. Explain the structure of CD-ROM.
Three marks questions:
1. Write the difference between ROM and RAM.
3. Give the applications of OCR, OMR, and MICR.
4. Explain impact and non-impact printers in detail.
5. Explain the storage medium in detail.
Five marks questions:
1. Explain input unit in detail.
2. Explain output in detail.
3. Explain storage medium in detail.
4. Illustrate the latest configuration of computers for today.

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