Computing Assignment, NUS, Singapore: Identify, describe, and explain the purposes of the following components of modern desk-top PC systems

1 Identify, describe, and explain the purposes of the following components of modern desk-top PC systems:
• output devices.
• long-term storage.
• processor.
Refer to an example of a specific, currently available device for each one and use annotated images that will assist in understanding of the reader.

2 Choose one example of a wearable computer system and one example of an embedded computer system. For each describe its purpose and explain how the purpose of the the system affects its physical design or hardware.

3  a) Describe what the Clock does and explain the effect it has on regulating activity within the CPU.

b) Describe what the Accumulator does within a CPU.
c) Explain what the internal bus of a CPU is used for.
d) Explain the differences between the roles of the Memory Address Register and the Memory Data Register in a CPU.
e) Explain what the Instruction Decoder does in a CPU. Use no more than 150 words for each sub-task above.

4 Describe the operation of the Fetch Decode Execute cycle of a simple
CPU. Include examples of how key CPU components are involved in receiving, storing, and passing on information. Use no more than 250 words for this task.

5 Identify recent innovations in the use of computer systems and explain why the innovations are significant to users of the systems. The paragraph below is an example of issues concerning a suitable topic.

The “self-driving” car already exists – at least in part. Features such as adaptive cruise control, assistive lane changing, hands-off driving, and self-parking are already installed in some production cars. What benefits do users have from these innovations? How have computer systems contributed to these developments? What (IT) challenges did designers face in making these features operational? What further barriers are there to the autonomous car and what role might IT play in their solution?

If another topic interests you more, address similar issues, whether environmental management, climate change, or public health …. Use no more than 500 words for this task.

6  A time-constrained, closed book, written test under examination conditions.