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O-LevelComputer ScienceData Representation2210/11 · May/June 2015 · Q812 Marks

An alarm clock is controlled by a microprocessor. It uses the 24 hour clock. The hour is represented by an 8-bit register, A, and the number of minutes is represented by another 8-bit register, B.

  1. (a)Identify what time is represented by the following two 8-bit registers. A 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 : B 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 Hours ........................................................ Minutes ........................................................[2]
  2. (b)An alarm has been set for 07:30. Two 8-bit registers, C and D, are used to represent the hours and minutes of the alarm time. Show how 07:30 would be represented by these two registers: C : D Hours Minutes[2]
  3. (c)Describe how the microprocessor can determine when to sound the clock alarm.[3]
  4. (d)The LCD (liquid crystal display) on the clock face is back-lit using blue LEDs (light emitting diodes). The brightness of the clock face is determined by the level of light in the room. The amount of light given out by the LEDs is controlled by a control circuit. Describe how the sensor, microprocessor and LEDs are used to maintain the correct brightness of the clock face.[3]
  5. (e)Modern LCD monitors and televisions use LED back-lit technology. Give two advantages of using this new technology compared to the older cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) method. 1 2[2]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [(a)] [1] hours: 18
  2. [(a)] [1] minutes: 53
  3. [(b)] [1] hours ("C"): 00000111
  4. [(b)] [1] minutes ("D"): 00011110
  5. [(c) Any three from:] [1] reads values in registers "C" and "D"
  6. [(c) Any three from:] [1] and checks the values against those stored in registers “A” and “B” (NOTE: the first two statements can be interchanged, i.e. “A” and “B” read first)
  7. [(c) Any three from:] [1] If values in corresponding registers are the same
  8. [(c) Any three from:] [1] the microprocessor sends a signal to sound alarm/ring
  9. [(d) Any three from:] [1] uses a light sensor
  10. [(d) Any three from:] [1] sends signal/data back to microprocessor
  11. [(d) Any three from:] [1] signal/data converted to digital (using ADC)
  12. [(d) Any three from:] [1] value compared by microprocessor with pre-set/stored value
  13. [(d) Any three from:] [1] if value < stored value, signal sent by microprocessor ...
  14. [(d) Any three from:] [1] to the voltage supply (unit)
  15. [(d) Any three from:] [1] "value" of signal determines voltage supplied/brightness of LED
  16. [(e) Any two from:] [1] no need to warm up
  17. [(e) Any two from:] [1] whiter tint/more vivid colours/brighter image
  18. [(e) Any two from:] [1] higher resolution
  19. [(e) Any two from:] [1] much thinner monitors possible/lighter weight
  20. [(e) Any two from:] [1] more reliable technology/longer lasting
  21. [(e) Any two from:] [1] uses much less power/more efficient

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About this question

Topic
Data Representation, O-Level Computer Science (syllabus 2210). Structured question, 12 marks.
Source
O-Level Computer Science, May/June 2015 Paper 1 Variant 1, question 8.

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