MIXED DEVICES: CHARACTERISTICS AND EXAMPLES - TECHNOLOGY - 2024

The mixed devices are hardware devices that have the ability to accept input data and generating output data or other processed data. They can also receive data from the respective media to send as input to a computer, or send data from a computer as output to storage media to be stored.

The input devices feed the data into the computer. On the other hand, output devices are used for a computer to communicate by sending information to other computers or to people. A mixed device serves to perform these two functions together.

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Since data from mixed devices is both input and output, it can be cataloged for communication or storage. Modems, sound cards and network cards are considered as mixed communication devices.

External hard drives, CD drives, and memory cards are considered mixed storage devices.

characteristics

A mixed device is any device used by a human operator or other systems to communicate with a computer. They are capable of sending data to a computer and also receiving data from a computer.

Its function is that the data is entered in a computer so that it can be processed or stored and later send this information already processed to a person.

Mixed devices are necessary to be able to establish two-way communication between computer and people. As they surround the main components of a computer system, they are also called peripherals.

Input and output data

Technically, mixed devices are those that are bi-directional, that is, they can function as both input and output devices.

The inputs are the signals received by these devices, while the outputs are the signals sent. These results can be directed to people or can be used to guide some other machines or robots.

For example, the most important output device in the case of an industrial robot is the one that sends all the detailed signals to the robot to act mechanically, signals that the robot understands and moves accordingly.

The first generation of computers was equipped with a limited range of devices. Instructions and data could only be read with a punch card reader. A printer was used to display the results.

Data speed

One of the most important characteristics is the data transmission speed or the amount of data that can be transferred to or from the mixed device in a period of time.

- Data rate is generally measured as bits or bytes per second.

- Mixed devices vary in their types of data traffic and their data speeds. It can be as slow as 100 bytes per second for the keyboard or as fast as 100MB per second for the controller on a network.

- The data rate of a mixed device can be a bottleneck in the overall performance of the computer system.

- Critical mixed devices, such as hard disk and network, are generally aimed at continuous improvements in data speed.

Factors determining the data rate

- Physical limitation of the device.

- Bandwidth of the interface that interconnects the device with the CPU and memory.

- Data traffic expected on the device. For example, the keyboard does not need to have a high data rate because of the slow transcription of humans.

Examples

Audio devices

Sound cards allow a computer to record and reproduce sound. Through different connectors the audio devices are connected to the sound system, but the one that is commonly used is the 3.5mm audio connector.

Each sound card has three known connectors, which are: audio in, audio out, and microphone in.

Mic input

A computer uses the sound card, audio software, and a microphone to record sound. The microphone is connected to the microphone input connector of the sound card and it is spoken through it, thus generating the computer to record it.

Audio output

The computer uses the sound card and audio software to play music and sounds through horns or headphones, which can be connected to the sound card through the audio-out connector.

Fax machines

On the sender's side they act as a scanner that scans the images and letters on the paper to convert them to a digitized format. Then he sends them to the other end through the phone line.

At the receiver end, fax machines act as printers that print the scanned data onto paper. To print they use special wax paper.

Multifunction devices

Basically these devices are a printer that contains many other integrated computers and that looks like a single device. Multifunction devices include printer, scanner, copier and also fax, all in one device.

It can be connected to the computer through a USB connector. Before use, the software / driver must be installed to allow the computer to interact and communicate with the device.

DVD drive

You must have a DVD drive to be able to burn a DVD or play it on a computer.

A DVD is a disc capable of storing a significant amount of data. DVDs are widely used for both storing and playing movies and other data.

Scanner

You can make digital copies of photos, documents, drawings, and other items on paper. The scanners are connected to the computer through the USB connectors.

Webcam

It is used to capture images and record videos. It can also be defined as a type of digital camera used for capturing images and video chatting over the Internet.

It can be integrated into laptops, or it can also come independently, connecting to the system through the USB cable.

Modem

Abbreviation for modulator / demodulator. It is a mixed device that allows a computer to send and receive information over telephone lines.

By sending a signal, the device converts the digital information into an analog audio signal, transmitting it over a telephone line. On the other hand, when an analog signal is received, the modem converts it back to a digital signal.

Harddrive unit

It is a memory device in a computer, which not only stores data permanently, but also recovers it.

References

1. Techopedia (2019). Input / Output Device (I / O Device). Taken from: ceilingpedia.com.
2. Baseer Hussain (2017). Other Common Input / Output Devices. Taken from: medium.com.
3. Computer Hope (2018). Input / output device. Taken from: computerhope.com.
4. Claudia Miclaus (2018). Information about Computer I / O Devices. Techspirited. Taken from: techspirited.com.
5. Algonquin College (2019). Characteristics of Typical I / O Devices. Taken from: elearning.algonquincollege.com.