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Interfaces and Connectors

Identifying Ports and Connectors

  • Ports enable devices to connect to computers
  • Connectors plug into ports
  • Each port has a unique function and accepts only specific connectors

    Interfaces and Connectors

Interfaces

  • Point of communication between two or more entities
  • Can be hardware or software based

    Interfaces and Connectors

    Common Interfaces are:

    • USB

    Interfaces and Connectors

    • USB connectors

    Interfaces and Connectors

Thunderbolt

  • Combines data transfer, display, and power
  • Initial versions reused Mini DisplayPort
  • New versions reuse USB-C connectors
  • Identified with a thunderbolt symbol

    Interfaces and Connectors

FireWire

  • Predecessor to Thunderbolt
    • FireWire 400 = 400 mBits/second
    • FireWire 800 = 800 mBits/second
    • Uses a serial bus to transfer data on e bit at a time
    • Still used for audio/video connections on older computers (before 2011), and in the automobile and aerospace industries

    Interfaces and Connectors

PS/2

  • Developed for IBM PS/2
  • Connects keyboard and mice
  • Ports are device specific
    • Green for mice
    • Purple for keyboard
  • Considered a legacy port

    Interfaces and Connectors

eSATA

  • Standard port for connecting external storage devices
  • Allows hot swapping of devices
  • Since 2008, Upgraded eSATAp that supports both eSATA and USB on the same port
  • eSATA revisions:
    • Revision 1: Speeds of 1.5 Gbps
    • Revision 2: Speeds of 3 Gbps
    • Revision 3: Speeds of 6 Gbps

      Interfaces and Connectors

Identifying Graphic Devices

Display Unit

  • Display unit (GPU) connected to the computer via a display card or adapter
  • Low-end generic graphic cards come built into the computer
  • Require specialized adapters for high-end functions
  • ATI/AMD, nVIDIA, SiS, Intel, and Via are leading manufacturers

    Display System

    Interfaces and Connectors

VGA Display System

Interfaces and Connectors

LED Display System

Interfaces and Connectors

Display Connectors

  • Different cables and connectors for different display adapters
  • Each connector has specific function and benefits

    Interfaces and Connectors

HDMI Interface

  • Most widely used digital audio and video interface
  • Also offers remote control and content protection
  • Uses a proprietary 19-pin connector
  • Offers up to 8K UHD resolutions

DisplayPort

  • Royalty-free complement to HDMI
  • First interface to use packetized data transmission
  • Uses a 20-pin connector
  • Can support even different transmission modes of increasing bandwidth

Thunderbolt

  • Developed by Intel and Apple, primarily for Apple laptops and computers
  • Can be used as either a display or peripheral interface
  • Initial versions used the MiniDP interface
  • Version 3 and now version 4 use the USB-C interface
  • Thunderbolt features don’t work with a standard USB-C cable and port

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

  • Designed as a high-quality interface for flat-paneled devices
  • Support both analog and digital devices
    • DVI-I supports both analog and digital
    • DVI-A supports only analog
    • DVI-D supports only digital
  • Single-link for lower resolutions and Dual-link for HDTV
  • Superseded by HDMI and Thunderbolt

    Interfaces and Connectors

Video Graphics Array (VGA)

  • A legacy interface, used for analog video on PC
  • Has a 15-pin connector that can be secured with screws

Identifying Audio Connectors

The audio connection

  • Onboard or internal expansion
  • Has multiple ports to connect a variety of devices
  • Used for multimedia application, education and entertainment, presentation, and teleconferencing

    Interfaces and Connectors

Audio connectors

  • Sound cards
  • Bluetooth
  • Game ports/USB ports
  • External audio interfaces

External audio interfaces

  • Single device for multiple input and output ports
  • Mostly used in professional studies
  • Use USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, or similar connectors

Wired and Wireless Connections

Data packets

  • Communication technology allows components to communicate over a network
  • Data packets are sent from one smart object to another
    • Information about the sending and receiving device, along with the message
  • Devices built to talk over a network can communicate with each other

Network types

  • Closed (limited number of devices can connect)
  • Open (unlimited number of devices can connect)
  • Either could be wired or wireless

Wired connectors

Interfaces and Connectors

Wire connection benefits

  • Faster data transmission
    • Up to 5 Gbps
  • More reliable than wireless
    • Immune to signal drops and dead zones
  • Less prone to radio interference
  • More secure
    • Less likely to be hacked

Wireless connections

  • Use different technologies based on connection requirements
  • Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
    • Connects a router to a modem for network access
  • Bluetooth
    • 1998
    • Pairing
  • Radio-frequency identification (RFID)
    • Identification and tracks objects using tags
    • Range up to several hundred meters
    • Collection of road tolls
    • Other uses of RFID tags
      • Livestock tracking, tacking pharmaceuticals through warehouses, preventing theft, and expediting checkout in stores
  • NFC (Near Field Communication)
    • Based on RFID
    • Extremely short range
    • Transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields

Wireless connection advantages

  • Increased mobility
  • Reduced time to set up
  • Flexibility and scalability
  • Wider reach
  • Lower cost of ownership

Peripherals and Printer Connections

Common installation steps

Computers require software that enables peripheral or printer device recognition and communication using:

  • Onboard Plug and Play software
  • Device driver software
  • Device application software Initial stand-alone, peripheral installation often still requires a wired connection or network connection 1) Connect the printer to the computer using a cable 2) Turn on the printer Frequently used stand-alone peripherals are:
  • USB
  • Bluetooth
  • Wi-Fi
  • NFC Three other connection methods are:
  • Serial port
  • Parallel port
  • Network

Serial cable connections

  • Are less common
  • Transmit data more slowly
  • RS232 protocol remains in use
    • Data can travel longer distances
    • Better noise immunity
    • Compatibility among manufacturers
  • Cables commonly feature 9-pin connections and two screws to secure the cable

    Interfaces and Connectors

Parallel port cable connection

  • Are less common
  • Send and receive multiple bits of data simultaneously
  • Feature 25-pin connections
  • Include two screws to keep the cable connected

    Interfaces and Connectors

Network connections

  • Generally, are Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connections
  • Before you begin, verify that your computer has a network connection

Connecting to local printers

Interfaces and Connectors

Installation Types

1) Plug and Play 2) Driver Installation

PnP vs. driver installation

  • PnP devices work as soon as they’re connected to a computer
  • Examples include mice and keyboards
  • A malfunctioning device should be investigated in Device Manager.
    • Possible cause of malfunction is an outdated driver

IP-based peripherals

  • Hardware connected to a TCP/IP network
  • Examples of such devices include wireless routers and security cameras
  • These devices must be connected to a local area network (LAN) or the Internet to function

Web-based configuration

  • Different from installation
  • Used for networking devices such as routers
  • Is an easier process to set up a device
  • Completed on a web page
    • Often on the manufacturer’s site
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