AS / A Level Computer Science
AS CS 3 - Hardware
AS CS 3.1 Computers and their components
Candidates should be able to:
Show understanding of the need for input, output, primary memory and secondary (including removable) storage
Notes and guidance
N/A
Candidates should be able to:
Show understanding of embedded systemsÂ
Notes and guidance
Including: benefits and drawbacks of embeddedsystems
Candidates should be able to:
Describe the principal operations of hardware devices
Notes and guidance
Including: Laser printer, 3D printer, microphone, speakers, magnetic hard disk, solid state (flash) memory, optical disc reader/writer, touchscreen, virtual reality headset
Candidates should be able to:
Show understanding of the use of buffers
Notes and guidance
N/A
Candidates should be able to:
Explain the differences between Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM)
Notes and guidance
Including their use in a range of devices and systems
Candidates should be able to:
Explain the differences between Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
Notes and guidance
Including the use of SRAM and DRAM in a range of devices and systems and the reasons for using one instead of the other depending on the device and its use
Candidates should be able to:
Explain the difference between Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM) and Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM)
Notes and guidance
N/A
Candidates should be able to:
Show an understanding of monitoring and control systems
Notes and guidance
Including:
difference between monitoring and control
use of sensors (including temperature, pressure,
infra-red, sound) and actuators
importance of feedback