Chapter 11 – Intelligent Devices

Publisher Summary This chapter introduces the subject of intelligent devices. The primary function of a digital computer is the manipulation of data. The three elements essential to the fulfillment of this task are the central processing unit, memory, and input-output interface. The input-output interface connects the computer to the outside world and is therefore an essential part of the computer system. When the CPU puts the address of a peripheral onto the address bus, the input-output interface decodes the address and identifies the unique computer peripheral with which a data transfer operation is to be executed. The raw analogue input and output signals are generally either too large or too small for compatibility with the operating voltage levels of a digital computer and have to be scaled upward or downward. The intelligent device is used to describe a package containing either a complete measurement system or a component within a measurement system, which incorporates a digital processor.