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Understanding Early Computing: From Vacuum Tubes to Microprocessors

This chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the foundational concepts in computer science, focusing on hardware development and the history of computing. It examines the evolution from vacuum tubes, such as the ENIAC—considered the world's first electronic digital computer—to the advent of transistors and microprocessors. Readers will learn about the significance of integrated circuits, solid-state technology, and the manufacturing process behind modern processors. It also highlights essential terms and concepts that shaped computing technology, making it accessible for all aspiring tech enthusiasts.

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Understanding Early Computing: From Vacuum Tubes to Microprocessors

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  1. Chapter 5 Part 1

  2. Course Goals • Application Skills (lab) • Computer-ese (terms) • How computers work (hardware) • History of Computing (ch. 5)

  3. Early Computing • Vacuum Tubes • Light Bulb Sized • ENIAC • Considered by some to be the world's first electronic digital computer • Colossus, 1944, England • Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer • 1945-6 • ~20,000 vacuum tubes • The size of a room • Developed to compute artillery firing tables in WW2

  4. ENIAC

  5. Links • ENIAC • http://ftp.arl.mil/~mike/comphist/eniac-story.html • Vacuum Tubes / Transistors • http://www.lucent.com/minds/transistor/history.html

  6. Terms • Transistor – tiny electronic switch that can rapidly turn “on” and “off” • Integrated Circuit – an entire electrical circuit, including wires, formed on a single chip • Solid State – hardware in which electrons travel through a solid material (i.e. silicon)

  7. Terms • Semiconductor – any material whose electrical properties are intermediate in terms of conductivity • ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange (I won’t ask you that) – binary code used to store characters (8 bit code)

  8. Making Processors • Make a Circuit Diagram • Duplicate diagram many times • Print and etch sheet of diagrams onto slice of silicon (photolithography) • Repeat 3 for each layer in processor • Cut wafer into chips • Test and mount chips Great article on this: http://www.embedded.com /showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17501489

  9. Processors • Larger wafer radius produces more chips • 4” – 12 20 mm x 20mm chips • 6” – 24 chips • 8” – 57 chips • 12” - 148 • Microprocessor – The miniaturized circuitry of a computer processor (the part that processes information) – makes embedded systems possible

  10. Power Supply • Surge Protector – protects against spikes of high voltage (can burn out) • Voltage Regulator – protects against spikes of low power (not very common) • UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply – basically an emergency battery

  11. Comparison - 1998 • Intel P II 300 Mhz • 64 MB 100 MHz DRAM • 2D PCI 4MB Graphics • 4 GB ATA 5600 RPM HD • 15” .28dp Monitor (13.5” visible)

  12. Comparison - 2001 • Intel P III 733 Mhz • 128 MB 133 MHz SDRAM • 3D AGP 8MB Graphics • 40 GB Ultra ATA 7200 RPM HD • 17” .25dp Monitor (16” visible)

  13. Comparison - 2003 • Intel P IIII 1.8 GHz • 256 MB 266 MHz DDR RAM • 3D AGP 64MB DDR Graphics • 80 GB Ultra ATA 7200 RPM HD • 19” .22dp Monitor (17.5” visible)

  14. Comparison - 2005 • Intel Pentium 4 2.80GHz • 512MB 400 MHz DDR RAM • 3D PCI Express 128MB DDR Graphics • 120 GB Ultra ATA 7200 RPM HD • 17 in (16.0 in viewable) Flat Panel Display

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