Unit 1 : Introduction and Main
Devices
Microcomputer, its types, components and some performance determining central devices are discussed in this unit. Lesson 1 and 2 are introductory lessons. Lesson 3 to 6 describes the main components of a microcomputer system. A microcomputer has many components. Of them some are main. The control the rest of the components of the computer system. On their performance, the performance of the whole computer system depends. These components are discussed in the last four lessons
Microcomputer, its types, components and some performance determining central devices are discussed in this unit. Lesson 1 and 2 are introductory lessons. Lesson 3 to 6 describes the main components of a microcomputer system. A microcomputer has many components. Of them some are main. The control the rest of the components of the computer system. On their performance, the performance of the whole computer system depends. These components are discussed in the last four lessons
Lesson 1 : Microcomputer
1.1. Learning Objectives
On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe :
i) What is a microcomputer
On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe :
i) What is a microcomputer
ii) Different types of microcomputer.
1.2. Microcomputer
A computer is an electronic machine that stores, retrieves and manipulates or processes data. Microcomputers are microprocessor based small computer. The brain of a microcomputer is the microprocessor, a silicon chip containing the necessary circuits to perform arithmetic and logic operations and to control input-output operations. A microprocessor is an integrated circuit consisting of thousands of transistors squeezed onto a tiny chip of silicon. The chip is packaged as a single integrated circuit. Adding input-output capability and a memory to the microprocessor, a microcomputer system is formed. Early microcomputers had a limited processing potential and limited choice of input-output devices. Present day microcomputers have wider processing capabilities and support a wide range of input-output devices. In addition to general-purpose computations, microcomputers are used for Microcomputers are microprocessor based small computer. special purpose applications in automobiles, airplanes, toys, clocks, appliances etc.
High-end super micros are known as workstations. The workstation represents the bridge between the microcomputers and minicomputers. It is a microcomputer with many of the capabilities of larger minicomputers hut costing much less. Initially designed for use by engineers and designers, and today they are popular for general uses. These workstations can run more than one application for a user. This is known as multitasking. A workstation is also a multi-user system that can be shared by several users at the same time.
1.3. Different Types of Microcomputers
Today most of the microcomputers are IBM compatible. The microcomputers compatible with the line of IBM personal computers are known as IBM compatible computers. Compatibility here means that, components (hardware and software) of one ‘IBM computer’ is normally installable in another ‘IBM compatible computer’ and vice-versa. All IBM compatible computers have same line of microprocessor, input-output device, software etc. So it is possible to use one component of a computer in a compatible of that computer.
Different series of IBM compatible computers exist. They are:
1.2. Microcomputer
A computer is an electronic machine that stores, retrieves and manipulates or processes data. Microcomputers are microprocessor based small computer. The brain of a microcomputer is the microprocessor, a silicon chip containing the necessary circuits to perform arithmetic and logic operations and to control input-output operations. A microprocessor is an integrated circuit consisting of thousands of transistors squeezed onto a tiny chip of silicon. The chip is packaged as a single integrated circuit. Adding input-output capability and a memory to the microprocessor, a microcomputer system is formed. Early microcomputers had a limited processing potential and limited choice of input-output devices. Present day microcomputers have wider processing capabilities and support a wide range of input-output devices. In addition to general-purpose computations, microcomputers are used for Microcomputers are microprocessor based small computer. special purpose applications in automobiles, airplanes, toys, clocks, appliances etc.
High-end super micros are known as workstations. The workstation represents the bridge between the microcomputers and minicomputers. It is a microcomputer with many of the capabilities of larger minicomputers hut costing much less. Initially designed for use by engineers and designers, and today they are popular for general uses. These workstations can run more than one application for a user. This is known as multitasking. A workstation is also a multi-user system that can be shared by several users at the same time.
1.3. Different Types of Microcomputers
Today most of the microcomputers are IBM compatible. The microcomputers compatible with the line of IBM personal computers are known as IBM compatible computers. Compatibility here means that, components (hardware and software) of one ‘IBM computer’ is normally installable in another ‘IBM compatible computer’ and vice-versa. All IBM compatible computers have same line of microprocessor, input-output device, software etc. So it is possible to use one component of a computer in a compatible of that computer.
Different series of IBM compatible computers exist. They are:
i) IBM PC
ii) IBM PC/AT
iii) IBM PC/XT
iv) IBM PS/2.
1.3.1. IBM PC
IBM PC was introduced in 1981. It has following characteristics:
1.3.1. IBM PC
IBM PC was introduced in 1981. It has following characteristics:
i) Intel 8088 processor
ii) 16 KB RAM expandable up to 64 KB
iii) Monochrome video adapter, incapable of displaying bit-mapped graphics
iv) Floppy disk drive with 160 KB storage capability
v) No hard disk.
‘PC’ is the name of a compatible series of microcomputers. But this name ‘PC’ is also used to refer any microcomputer, where PC means personal computer. In this book where we used the term ‘PC’, it means any microcomputer except in this section.
1.3.2. IBM PC/XT
IBM PC/XT was introduced in 1983. It has following characteristics:
‘PC’ is the name of a compatible series of microcomputers. But this name ‘PC’ is also used to refer any microcomputer, where PC means personal computer. In this book where we used the term ‘PC’, it means any microcomputer except in this section.
1.3.2. IBM PC/XT
IBM PC/XT was introduced in 1983. It has following characteristics:
i) Intel 8088 processor
ii) RAM expandable up to 640 KB
iii) Supports hard disk.
1.3.3. IBM PC/AT
IBM PC/AT was introduced in 1984. It has following characteristics:
1.3.3. IBM PC/AT
IBM PC/AT was introduced in 1984. It has following characteristics:
i) Intel 80286 processor
ii) It is approximately 75% faster than PC/XT
iii) AT bus standard was used in many clones.
‘Bus standard’ means the industry standard of connection point and connection organization of different devices connected with the motherboard.
‘Clone’ means a copy of the original one. In computer literature, it means compatibility. For example, ‘AT clone’ means a computer compatible to the IBM PC/AT series.
1.3.4. IBM PS/2
It was introduced in 1987. Different types of Intel processors are used here. It uses MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) bus standard.
‘Bus standard’ means the industry standard of connection point and connection organization of different devices connected with the motherboard.
‘Clone’ means a copy of the original one. In computer literature, it means compatibility. For example, ‘AT clone’ means a computer compatible to the IBM PC/AT series.
1.3.4. IBM PS/2
It was introduced in 1987. Different types of Intel processors are used here. It uses MCA (Micro Channel Architecture) bus standard.
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