MoustyICT EDUCATION
UNIT 1
DIGITAL DEVICES
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C OU R SE ST R U C TU R E
Learning Journey
Types of Digital Devices Device Features & Capabilities
01 02
From mainframes to microprocessors • PCs, mobile devices & Portability, performance, storage & user interfaces • Multifunctional
entertainment systems devices
Input Peripherals Output Peripherals
03 04
Monitors, printers, projectors, speakers & control devices
Keyboards, pointing devices, scanners, biometric systems & sensors
Storage Systems
05
Storage devices vs media • HDD, SSD, optical & flash technologies • Capacity units from bits to yottabytes
Learning Objectives Comprehensive coverage of digital device ecosystem
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Types of
Digital Devices
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D IG IT A L D E VIC E EC OSYSTEM
Understanding Digital Devices
Digital devices are pieces of hardware that use computers or microcontrollers. They enhance and support how we live our lives every day, connecting
and working together to give us the data we need, when and where we need it.
Mainframe Computer Microprocessor
Enterprise Consumer Embedded
Mainframes for large-scale processing PCs, laptops, mobile devices Microprocessors in appliances
Range: From powerful mainframe computers to microprocessors controlling everyday household items
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PE R SONA L C OMPU TING
Personal Computers: Desktops & Laptops
Common in homes and offices, available in many shapes and sizes
Desktop Computers Laptop Computers
Advantages: More space for components, option to upgrade or add additional Built-in features: Keyboard, screen, track pad, rechargeable battery
components Portable device: Easy to carry or move, can be used away from desk
Peripherals needed: Monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard (external)
Desktop replacements: Larger laptops with bigger screens and higher performance
All-in-one: Combines monitor with PC hardware
Upgrade: To make a computer better and able to do more things Peripheral device: Equipment connected to and used with a computer
Single-Board Computers (SBCs)
Affordable Example Storage
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MOBIL E T E C HNOL OG Y
Mobile Devices: Phones & Tablets
Smartphones Specialist Phones Tablet Devices
Small computers with Wi-Fi and mobile phone Features for particular user needs Bigger than smartphones, similar features
connectivity • Touch screen interface
Emergency Button
• Make phone calls & access internet • Apps and Wi-Fi connectivity
Linked to emergency contacts
• Include cameras, media players, games • Internet access
• Advanced operating system Alto 2 "Talking Phone" • Some have SIM card slots
• Downloadable apps for customization For blind & partially sighted users • Mobile network connectivity
• Touch screen with virtual keyboard
Accessibility Features SIM Card: Subscriber Identity Module - identifies
Note: Use more power, shorter battery life Larger buttons, hearing aid connections user to mobile network
Accessibility: Easy to use, especially by people
with disabilities
Key Definitions
Wi-Fi Application (App) Virtual Keyboard Games Console
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D IG IT A L ME D IA & ENTER TA INMENT
Cameras, Gaming & Entertainment Systems
Cameras & Camcorders Games Consoles
Use light sensors to capture images through the device's lens Designed to play video games on television screens
Games on disks or internet downloads
Pixel Resolution
Small dot making up an image Wireless controllers for gameplay
Number of pixels used to display image
Motion sensors for gesture control
VR controllers and headsets
Quality depends on: Lens quality, image processor, sensor resolution
Avatar: Figure representing a person in computer game or virtual environment
Did you know? Moving images are sequences of frames. High frame rates =
smooth results
Home Entertainment Systems
Televisions Sound Systems PVR & STB Media Players
High-quality speakers, USB, Bluetooth, Personal Video Recorders and Set-Top Stream content from internet or local
HD (720p, 1080p), UHD (4K, 8K). Smart
Wi-Fi connectivity Boxes for broadcast content storage to television
TVs use apps and stream content
Stream Smart Flash Memory
Play file while downloading Use sensor data, connect to internet Storage as electrical charges
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S MAR T TECHNOLOGI ES
Navigation Aids & Smart Home Devices
Home Automation & Smart Assistants
Emerging technology creating smart homes by connecting digital devices.
Smart Home Functions
• Sense and control temperature
Navigation Aids (Sat-Nav)
• Manage lighting systems
Calculate best routes between locations and provide updates if route not followed
• Control from smartphone apps
accurately.
• Internet connectivity
Common Uses
Cars, delivery vans, ships Smart Assistants
Voice-controlled devices that can answer questions, control smart home devices,
Features
and perform tasks
Visual prompts, audio alerts, specialist devices for walkers/cyclists
Smart Home: Home equipped with internet-connected devices controlled
GPS: Global Positioning System using satellite radio signals
remotely
Did you know? GPS satellites orbit 20km+ above Earth, accurate to within 5
metres
Smartphone Integration
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Device Features
& Capabilities
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DEV ICE EVO LUTIO N
Multifunctional Devices & Convergence
Multifunctional Device Convergence
Definition: A device that can perform a range of different functions
Definition: When the designs of devices change so that they become similar to one another
Smartphone Example
How It Works
Devices adopt technologies and features from other types of device as they develop
Result
Convergence blurs the distinction between different types of device
Result: Smartphones are classed as multifunctional devices because they combine so Examples of Convergence
many features • Smartphones & Tablets: Phablets (bigger smartphones), tablets with mobile
connectivity
• Cameras & Phones: Smartphones have cameras, cameras have Wi-Fi and mobile
connectivity
Key Insight
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D E VIC E C HA R A C TER ISTIC S
Key Features of Digital Devices
Eight essential features that define device capabilities
Portability Performance Storage User Interface
Easy to carry and move around. Related Space for files and programs. More System allowing user interaction: CLI,
Speed at which device performs tasks.
to size and weight. Not a priority for TVs storage = more content. Speed affects Menu-driven, GUI, Voice, Gesture
Determined by processor speed, RAM,
or desktops. performance.
storage speed, and software efficiency.
Connectivity Media Support Energy Consumption Expansion Capability
Wired or wireless connections to share Ability to read/write different media Lower consumption = longer battery Ability to add components: expansion
data, update software, back up files, types: SD cards, microSD, DVD. life. Manufacturers focus on energy slots, USB ports, peripheral devices.
play media. Adapters available. efficiency for cost savings and
environmental responsibility.
Security Features
Software Security Physical Security
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Peripheral
Devices
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INPUT T ECHNOLOG IE S
Input Peripherals
Devices that send data to the computer, allowing user control and external data capture
Keyboards Pointing Devices Scanners
Use keys to input text and interact with software Control on-screen pointer to select objects Use light sensors to record physical documents as images
• Wired or wireless connections Mouse: Optical sensor, roller ball OCR: Optical Character Recognition - reads characters into
• Different layouts for OS/languages Tracker ball: Roll to move pointer text files
• Shortcuts: key combinations Track pad: Finger movements, built into laptops OMR: Optical Mark Recognition - detects marks on
• Touch-typing: typing without looking Joystick: Games controllers documents (e.g., multiple choice tests)
Graphics tablet: Flat pad with stylus
Barcode Scanners Webcam Microphone
Read patterns of lines and gaps Specialized cameras, generally lower quality than Capture sound using diaphragm movement
Linear: Traditional barcodes camcorders • Converts analogue to digital signal
Matrix (QR): Hold more info, scan from any angle • Built-in microphones for sound • Sound card acts as converter
Used on parcels, shop items • Used as security cameras VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol
• Stream images/video to internet • Accessibility for disabilities
Touch Screen Biometric Scanners Card Readers
Two types of touch technology Measure unique physical characteristics Read data stored on cards
Resistive: Pressure causes layers to touch. More durable but Fingerprint: Arches, loops, whorls Magnetic strip: Least secure, easily stolen
harder to read. Single touch only. Facial: Face structure identification Chip & PIN: Data readable with correct PIN
Capacitive: Charge flows from finger. Precise location. Multi- Voice: Voice print comparison RFID/NFC: Short-range wireless, unique ID
touch capable. Used in smartphones. Iris: 120x more detailed than fingerprint
Sensors
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O U TPU T TECHNOLO G IES
Output Peripherals
Devices that output processing results in various forms: display, print, video, audio, tactile
Monitors Printers
Electronic displays showing computer output
Dot Matrix
Impact printers, noisy, carbon copies, slowest
Features
Screen size (diagonal), resolution (pixels), energy efficiency (standby mode), touch screen
Inkjet
technology
Sprays ink dots, color printing, high quality, home use
Laser
Electrical charge & toner, fastest, highest quality, offices
Specialized Output Devices
3D Printer Plotter Data Projector Speakers
Creates real-life versions of digital models by For presentations and home entertainment. Stereo (2 speakers), Surround (4+ speakers),
Draws high-quality CAD images onto large
adding layers of heated material Features: light bulbs (lumens), resolution, Mono (single speaker). Amplifiers for spatial
paper. Used by designers, architects, engineers
zoom, portability awareness
Control Devices (Actuators)
Valves Pistons Heaters Coolers Motors Nanorobots
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Storage
Systems
STO RAG E FU NDAMENTA LS MoustyICT EDUCATION
Storage Devices & Media
Critical Distinction
Storage Device contains the Storage Media and accesses data stored on it. You must know the difference!
Example 1 Example 2
Media: Flash memory Media: DVD disk
Device: USB drive Device: DVD drive
Storage Devices Storage Media
Used to store data or software in a computer system The actual material on which data is stored
Internal Drives Hard Disks
Connect directly to the computer's motherboard Magnetic storage with spinning platters
External Devices Optical Disks
Connect through ports and adapters on computer exterior CD, DVD, Blu-ray using laser technology
Device Types Flash Memory
HDD (Hard Disk Drives), SSD (Solid State Drives), Optical Disk Drives USB drives, SD cards, SSDs - no moving parts
Magnetic Tape
Sequential access, used for backups
Backwards Compatibility
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STO RAG E TECHNOLO G IES
Storage Technologies in Detail
Hard Disk Drives (HDD) Optical Media
Structure: Concentric platters forming a cylinder spinning on spindle
CD (Compact Disc)
Read/Write Head: Moves across tracks on platter 700 MB capacity. Laser writes to plastic layer beneath aluminium and acrylic.
Seek Time: 4-15 milliseconds to locate data
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)
Spin Speeds: 5400 or 7200 rpm (revolutions per minute)
4.7 GB (single) to 18 GB (double-sided, dual-layer). Shorter red laser wavelength.
Did you know? Gap between platter and head is only nanometers - dust could cause collision!
Blu-ray
25 GB (single) to 50 GB (double-sided). Violet laser, scratch-protection coating.
Flash Memory Magnetic Tape
More energy-efficient than hard disks - no moving parts. Less likely to fail when moved. Originally designed for sound recording, now used for data storage.
Advantages: Suitable for portable devices, durable, fast access Primary Use: Backing up data in large organizations
Used in: USB drives, SD cards, SSDs, mobile devices Characteristics: Sequential access, high capacity, low cost per GB
Capacity: Up to 185 TB
Did you know? Name comes from cells being "flashed" with electrons, or data written "in a flash"
(very quickly)
Recordable vs Rewritable
R (Recordable) RW (Rewritable) RE (Recordable Erasable)
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D A TA M EA SU R EM ENT
Storage Capacity & Units
Understanding binary storage and capacity measurements
Binary Storage Foundation
Storage media store data in binary form. Each bit of data holds one of two values: 0 or 1. Different media types interpret 0 and 1 differently.
Bit Byte
Smallest unit - 0 or 1 8 bits - basic storage unit
Storage Capacity Hierarchy
Using 1 KB = 1000 bytes (decimal system)
1 KB 1 MB 1 GB 1 TB
Kilobyte Megabyte Gigabyte Terabyte
1,000 bytes 1,000,000 bytes 1 billion bytes 1 trillion bytes
1 PB 1 EB 1 ZB 1 YB
Petabyte Exabyte Zettabyte Yottabyte
1 quadrillion bytes 1 quintillion bytes 1 sextillion bytes 1 septillion bytes
Real-world context: A typical smartphone might have 128-256 GB storage. A data center might store multiple petabytes. Global internet traffic is measured in zettabytes per year.
Questions MoustyICT EDUCATION
1. Joe works as a radio show presenter. Joe streams a radio show online.
Joe's computer has 8 GiB of RAM. Each recording uses 300 MiB of RAM.
(i) Construct an expression to show how many recordings can be stored in RAM
at once. (2)
(ii) Which one of these is a benefit to Joe of increasing RAM? (1)
A He does not have to save recordings as frequently
B Increased processor speed
C Recordings will be higher quality
D There is less need to back up recordings
(iii) State two benefits of using storage, rather than RAM, to save the radio
shows. (2)
(iv) Which one of these does the 'A' stand for in RAM? (1)
A Access
B All
C Array
D Available
(v) State the reason why RAM and ROM are called 'Random’. (1)
Questions MoustyICT EDUCATION
2. Viren is a web designer and uses ICT at work and for leisure.
Viren is choosing a new laptop. Viren's laptop uses secondary storage.
(i) Which one of these is the number of kibibytes in a mebibyte? (1)
A8
B 1000
C 1024
D 1000000
(ii) Data could be lost if a hard drive fails.
Which one of these should be used to reduce the risk to data? (1)
A Anti-malware
B Backup
C Compression
D Encryption
(iii) Which one of these statements is true? (1)
A Hard disk drives use optical media
B Flash memory devices use solid state media
C Optical devices use tape media
D Solid state drives use magnetic media
(iv) Which one of these is the most energy efficient storage device? (1)
A CD
B DVD
C HDD
D SSD
Questions MoustyICT EDUCATION
2. Viren is a web designer and uses ICT at work and for leisure.
Viren is choosing a new laptop. Viren's laptop uses secondary storage.
(v) Four files (W, X, Y and Z) are stored on a hard drive. Each file is made up of blocks (1, 2, 3, etc.)
Complete the diagram to show the state of the storage after running a defragmentation utility.
NB: Defragmentation (often called "defragging") is the process of reorganizing the data on a Hard Disk Drive
(HDD) to make it work faster and more efficiently.
Questions MoustyICT EDUCATION
3. Gail works at a concert venue. The staff at the venue use ICT for work.
The venue uses a barcode scanner that connects to the booking system.
(i) Explain one benefit to the venue staff of using a barcode scanner. (2)
(ii) Which one of these would represent the amount of data required to be sent by the barcode scanner to the booking
system? (1)
A Byte
B Gibibyte
C Mebibyte
D Tebibyte
(iii) The barcode scanner will be used in places where hundreds of mobile digital devices will be using wireless communication.
Explain the benefit of using wired communication rather than wireless communication between the barcode scanner and the
booking system. (2)
(iv) Give two benefits of hosting the booking system in the cloud. (2)
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Mastering
Digital Devices
Device Types Features Peripherals Storage
UNIT 1 COMPLETE