Unit 1
PC Hardware Research Assignment
In this assignment we were told to choose a piece of hardware and explain multiple details about it. I chose the solid state drive and provided an overview of it, a historical explanation, how does it work, Information processing features,etc. I researched the different aspects of SSDS such as connections to the Computer. One of the interesting things i learned was that the connections of devices to computers are changing with faster transfer rates and speeds. SSDs have a processes which use NAND flash to create a series of 1s and 0s which save the data.
PC Purchase Assignment
In this assignment we were asked to find the parts required to build a PC and create a list of them. We were allowed to use various different websites such as tigerdirect.ca, mdg.ca to get the products needed. We had to analyze various different hardware websites and explain what we liked and disliked about them, for example there may not be good specs on the products.We also ahad to list various computer applications that are used today and some that might be used in 3-5 years such as gaming, medical applications,etc. The total cost limit for the PC we are building must be less than $1500.00 with taxes. Some of the products include things such as the mouse, motherboard,video card, were all part of the items we needed. My total was $1412.63.
Here is an example of my likes and dislikes of a website:
Here is an example of my likes and dislikes of a website:
The Operating System
In this unit i have learned that operating systems are a very crucial part of computer. The operating systems has many functions which include:
-Memory management
-Processor Management
-Device Management
-File managemnent
-Application programming interface
- Application Management
-User Interface
-Memory management
-Processor Management
-Device Management
-File managemnent
-Application programming interface
- Application Management
-User Interface
Unit 2
Network Certification
In this assignment we were looking at the different network certifications which are available in todays industry. Many network technicians obtain industry
qualifications such as Network +, CNA, CNE, CCNA, CCIE, MCSE, A+, Server+,
Security+, and Inet+. This provides some standards for training and basic
employment qualifications. I had tried the network pracitce exam aswell which allowed me to get a better understanding of the topics which are covered in these assesments. I reasearched about the content within these examinations and their definitions. i also found out who offers which certification.
Network Design
In this assignment I had to design a labeled diagram of a new high tech middle
school that contained 4 computer labs with 20 PC's each and a networked 3D printer
and colour laser printer in each room. These labs have computers but there are no network cards for them. There were also 8
wireless laptops that need wireless USB type NICs and a wireless switch to
access the network. I had to look at the different aspects of the network before i could start. I needed to see which products were compatible with other products and to make sure that they would work properly. For example my 4 classroom switched to have a 1Gpbs NIC so that they would connect to my back bone switch.
Networking Assignment: Practical Lab
In this lab we were given the opportunity to do some hands on work with network configuration. We wired, setup and configured a peer-to-peer network, using common
network devices such as switches, routers, CAT5e patch cables. Te first thing we did was check the BIOS settings to make the computer start off from the operating system in a USB, the operating system was Ubuntu. Then me and my group wired the network components by connecting the computer to the router. later we checked the network status and received lots of useful information such as the Subnet Mask. Then we created a small network with our router and some of our other classmates.
Article Summary
In this assignment we were to read different articles and answer a few questions regarding their topics. Th first one was called Bright Ideas and it was about a program to develop next
generation of wireless communications technology based on visible light instead
of radio waves by Boston University’s College of Engineering. The next article was called the Google Public Data Explorer and it consisted of
a tool that offers a visual way to analyze large
public data sets on popular searches. For example to you would be able to know
the fertility rate around the world by looking at the data set provided by
Google. Finally i had to go a link and type in my favorite website, i used google.com and then check off the boxed that were provided inorder to answer a following questions. We were provided things like the DNS records,etc.
Unit 3
Binary, Hexadecimal and Decimal
In this unit i have learned how to convert all three different forms which included binary, hexadecimal and decimal between each other. Binary consists of ones and zeros which is what computers use to process information. For example i have learned that when we press a letter on the keyboard it is translated into different 1s and 0s making the letter appear on the screen. Binary is read from left to write so to decode binary we keep taking multiples of two starting from one and assigns each multiple starting from the left to how ever many binary digits there are. Then we add all the multiples of two that are assigned to the number 1 and discard those assigned to the number zero. For hexadecimal the numbers 0-9 is written using their numerical digits although the number 10-15 are written using the letter A,B,C,D,E,F respectively. The hexadecimal numerical set only goes up to the number 15. Decimal is just normal numbers is just 1,2,3,4........
Logic Gates and Boolean
For this section of the unit we had learned about the logic gate. A logic gate makes decisions that are based off of the inputs placed. Most logic gates have two inputs and produce one output. We had used something called a 555 timer in our breadboard when we were placing ouT LEDs on them this chip is a type of logic gate. In this class we have learned about a total of six Logic gates and they are the NOT,AND, NAND, OR, NOR, XOR, XNOR. Each gate contains its own boolean equation and uses it to decide its output the following is an example of a drawn NAND gate, its equation and its outputs in a chart:
Electronic Circuit and Breadboarding
For this section we were given multiple labs to analyze the breadboard. For the first lab we wired four combinations of two inputs for four different integrated circuits. We then later on proceeded and recorded the output from our logic probe into every truth table. I had learned that for any number of inputs there will always be 2 times the number of inputs as the amount of possible combinations. Some of the questions i was asked in this lab include ,Which gate shows a high output (=1) when any input is high? and Which gate shows a high output (=1) only when the inputs are opposite?
The second lab we had done which involved breadboards gave us the instructions to wire every logic gate and complete the truth tables for every combination of inputs and outputs for either the 7480 or 7432. I had chosen the 7480. For this lab i had also answered a question which asked me to fill out a truth table in which an input went through more than one logic gate in order to receive the output.
The final part of this section in the unit we were told to create a roulette wheel using the LEDs on the breadboard. We used two types of chips in this assignment.The first chip was the 555 timer chip that was in astable moe, it generates a continuous clock signal. That signal is then sent to the 4017 decade counter which switches on each of its 10 outputs in sequence at the same speed as the clock. The pattern i cose my LEDs to be in were s3 stargth lines two of the lines used 4 LEDs while the one in the middle only used 2.
One of the devices we used as a tool during this unit is the logic probe, it is a hand held pen like device that is used for analyzing and trouble shooting logic gates and the states of digital circuits
The second lab we had done which involved breadboards gave us the instructions to wire every logic gate and complete the truth tables for every combination of inputs and outputs for either the 7480 or 7432. I had chosen the 7480. For this lab i had also answered a question which asked me to fill out a truth table in which an input went through more than one logic gate in order to receive the output.
The final part of this section in the unit we were told to create a roulette wheel using the LEDs on the breadboard. We used two types of chips in this assignment.The first chip was the 555 timer chip that was in astable moe, it generates a continuous clock signal. That signal is then sent to the 4017 decade counter which switches on each of its 10 outputs in sequence at the same speed as the clock. The pattern i cose my LEDs to be in were s3 stargth lines two of the lines used 4 LEDs while the one in the middle only used 2.
One of the devices we used as a tool during this unit is the logic probe, it is a hand held pen like device that is used for analyzing and trouble shooting logic gates and the states of digital circuits
EGM Article
In this assignment we were asked to read an article based on electronic gambling machines and their funcctions. One of the things i have learned after reading this article is that the EGMs are not random but pseudo code random they have been speacially programmed to funtion the way that they do. One of the questions i had been asked was what are the reasons casinos like Electronic Gambling Machines.
Casinos like using EGMs because the game structures
are very complex and with this the players seem to not realize their odds of
winning on an EGM. Thus this will make the players keep playing generating profits for the casinos.
Unit 4
Boe-Bot
The Boe-Bot is a robot that was designed by Parallax. It combines the two worlds of both hardware and software allowing students to experience a real world application in the field of engineering. It has a bread board that is built onto the top. The robot also has two servos which run the wheels and they are connected to the entire robot.
We were given multiple tasks to complete which included the Boe-Bot going Forward then left then right and finally backward. We had also done things such as making the Boe-Bot pivot and Ramp which we successfully completed.
Programming the Boe-Bot
In order to make the Boe-Bot do all these programs we must first program it, the language used is called PBASIC. The program we use to write the language is called Basic Stamp. When programming in this language subroutines can be used, this is when we write a line of code telling Basic Stamp to use the code assigned to the line that is somewhere else in the code written.
Boe Bot's Micro controller
Micro controllers are basically single chip computers. They can read input device such as buttons and sensors. They can also process data and control output devices like monitors, lights or speakers.
The S-Pattern
For this assignment we had to make the Boe Bot go in a s-pattern that had straight lines shaped like an "s". Each line was 30 centimetres. We had to use multiple variables when writing this code such as pulsout. We had also used subroutines. Leaving Comments next to our code was something else we had to do explaining what each part of the code did.
Summative Assignment – Robotics: Sensor Navigation
In this assignment i was given the task to make my robot do some sort of sensor navigation of my choice using different parts,. I was given many options of what type of navigation i could do but i chose to do the photoresitor navigation. I had properly wired the Boe-Bot's breadboard and had coded it as well. The main task for the summative would be to place the Boe-Bot on a table and place our hands in front of the sensors, the Bot would then sense the hands and never hit it but keep going away from it.