Input Output Organization in Computer Organization
- The input-output (I/O) organization is an important computer component that manages data transfer between the computer's central processing unit (CPU) and peripheral devices.
- This organization is crucial for the seamless flow of data in a computer system, and it involves various components and techniques.
What are Peripheral Devices?
- Peripheral devices are hardware components attached to a computer that extend its capabilities beyond simple computation.
- They serve as the bridge between the physical world and the digital realm, allowing users to interact with the computer and vice versa.
Examples
- Keyboard: A common input peripheral is used to enter text and commands.
- Mouse: An input device that provides a pointing interface.
- Monitor An output device that displays visual information.
- Printer: An output device used to produce hard copies of documents.
Input Output Interfaces
- Input-Output Interfaces are how the CPU communicates with peripheral devices.
- These interfaces define the protocol and data input required for data exchange.
Examples
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
A widely used interface for connecting peripherals like keyboards, mice, and external hard drives.
HDMI
An interface for high-quality video and audio transmission to monitors and TVs.
Ethernet
An interface for networking, enabling data transfer between computers and other devices.
Asynchronous Data Transfer
- Asynchronous data transfer is a way to transfer data between the CPU and the device without needing to be completely synchronized.
- This flexibility ensures that data can be transferred at varying speeds.
Example
- Consider a user typing on a keyboard; the data entered is sent to the CPU asynchronously.
- The CPU processes the data at its speed, which may not perfectly align with the user's typing speed.
Modes of Transfer
- Modes of transfer refer to the different ways data can be moved between the CPU and peripheral devices.
- There are various modes, such as program-controlled I/O, interrupt-driven I/O, and DMA.
Example
- In program-controlled I/O, the CPU explicitly manages data transfer, often used in simple devices like serial ports.
- In contrast, interrupt-driven I/O allows the CPU to handle data transfer when a peripheral device generates an interrupt request.
Priority Interrupt
- Priority interrupt is a mechanism that allows the CPU to handle multiple interrupt requests from different devices with varying priorities.
- It ensures that higher-priority tasks are processed before lower-priority ones.
Example
- Imagine a computer with multiple peripherals requesting attention simultaneously.
- The CPU uses priority levels to determine which device's request to process first.
- Critical devices like emergency stop buttons may be prioritized over non-critical devices like a printer.
Direct Memory Access (DMA)
- Direct Memory Access (DMA) is a technique that allows peripheral devices to access the computer's memory directly without CPU intervention.
- This significantly speeds up data transfer and offloads the CPU from handling I/O operations.
Example
Regarding graphics cards, DMA allows it to copy images from memory to its memory without the involvement of the CPU to provide better and faster operation rendering.
Conclusion
The Input-Output organization in a computer system is essential for enabling communication between the CPU and peripheral devices.