1. Describe the
basic operating principles of digital systems and compare
such systems with analog systems.
- List the most commonly used logic levels in digital
systems.
- Describe the operation of the AND, OR and ADD functions.
- List four ways in which digital signals can be manipulated.
- Describe the principle of operation of four types of
data storage devices and give an example of an application
for each.
- State the characteristics of error correction as used
in digital systems. Give two applications.
- List the advantages of digital systems when compared
with analog systems
- List the disadvantages of digital systems when compared
with analog systems.
- List four common digital system applications.
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2. Explain the basic
operation of ADC and a DAC in a digital system.
- Sketch a block diagram of a digital/analog system and
explain the basic principle of operation of the DAC.
- List four applications of a DAC.
- Sketch a block diagram of an analog/digital system and
explain the basic principle of operation of the ADC.
- List four applications using a ADC.
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3. Describe the
basic principles of operation of both serial and parallel
data transfer and give applications for the use of both in
digital systems.
- Sketch a block diagram and use it to describe the basic
operation of a serial data transfer system.
- List four applications of digital systems that use serial
data transfer.
- Describe the basic operation of a parallel data transfer
system.
- List four examples of digital systems that employ parallel
data transfer.
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4. Describe the
principle of time division multiplexing and list applications
of its use in digital systems.
- Sketch the block diagram of a TDM system showing how:
- the input signals are combined in time slices
- the time slices are reconstituted into separate
signals.
- List the advantages of a system using TDM when compared
with a linear system.
- List three applications of digital systems that use
TDM.
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5. Identify and describe the basic
operation of optical systems that are commonly used in digital
systems.
- Sketch a block diagram of an optical fibre data link
and describe the operation of that system in basic terms.
- List the advantages and disadvantages of optical fibre
links when compared with alternate data transfer technology.
- List two applications of fibre optic technology used
in digital systems.
- Sketch a simple diagram and describe the basic operation
of a CD laser assembly.
- List two other applications of laser technology used
in digital systems.
- Sketch a block diagram of a IR data link and describe
the basic operation of that system. Give two examples
of its use in digital systems.
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6. Describe the basic operation of
the following digital systems: Modem, CD player, DAT recorder,
digital multimeter, remote control, telephone, alarm system.
- Sketch block diagrams and describe the basic operation
of these common digital systems.
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7.
Identify a computer system as one
of the following types - mainframe, mini, personal computer,
PLC, or microcontroller.
- List the main characteristics of all five types of computer
systems.
- Sketch functional block of the computer systems and
give a brief description of their principles of operation.
- Describe the differences between the five systems in
terms of:
- size (physical and logical)
- purpose
- typical applications, etc.
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8.
Define common computer terms and
identify the applications for common computer languages.
- List the definitions of the computer terms Bit, Nibble,
Byte, and Word. Explain the relationship of each to the
others.
- Define the terms CPU Instruction and Computer program.
- List the basic characteristics of assembly languages
and high level languages.
- Give an example of an application for the use of each
language.
- Explain the difference between a compiler and an interpreter
and give examples of their applications.
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9.
Describe the function of the operating
system and common I/O devices in a computer system.
- Describe the role of the BIOS in a computer system.
- Describe the role of the Operating System in a computer
system.
- Outline the interaction between applications, the operating
system and the BIOS.
- Describe the function of the displays, keyboards, printers,
disk drives and external data ports in a computer system.
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10.
List typical applications for computers
in industry, business and personal use.
- List computer types that are used for personal use and
applications for each type.
- List the computer types that are used in business and
state applications for each type.
- List the computer types that are used in industrial
situations and state applications for each type.
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