NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is an interface protocol built especially for Solid State Drives (SSDs). NVMe works with PCI Express (PCIe) to transfer data to and from SSDs. NVMe enables rapid storage in computer SSDs and is an improvement over older Hard Disk Drive (HDD) related interfaces such as SATA and SAS. The only reason […]
FAQ
Factors to consider in purchasing a Solid State Drive (SSD) for computer storage
What factors should you take into account when you purchase an SSD? Keep in mind that the below are generalizations and that technology is improving all the time. Size matters. Before you buy, have an idea of how much data you would likely to the SSD in an average day. The average DVD movie is […]
Terminology used in the Internet of Things
Every now and then someone throws out an acronym or term in a conference or presentation that is new and not all of the mainstream audience is able to follow along. Here are some basic terms and how they relate to The Internet of Things (IoT). IoT – The Internet of Things refers to electronics […]
What’s the difference between Von-Neumann and Harvard architectures?
These two processor architectures can be classified by how they use memory. Von-Neumann architecture In a Von-Neumann architecture, the same memory and bus are used to store both data and instructions that run the program. Since you cannot access program memory and data memory simultaneously, the Von Neumann architecture is susceptible to bottlenecks and system […]
RISC-V: an Open Instruction Set Architecture
The benefits of open source have been bestowed upon an Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) called RISC-V. One of the earliest, best-known examples of open source technology is Linux. For a widely accepted, official definition of open source, see The Open Source Initiative. Open source does not stop at Linux, however. One of the more recent […]
Can SSDs replace all storage and memory?
The short answer is no. Here’s why. Solid-State Drives (SSDs) have no mechanical or moving parts, which makes them ideal for mobile devices. SSDs are associated with flash memory and as a replacement for hard disk drive storage for computers. At the lowest level, SSDs are based on transistors (similar to DRAM), but SSD is […]
A short primer on resistor types
In general terms, a resistor is a passive electrical component (with two terminals) that is designed to limit the flow of electric current through a circuit. Resistors work by dissipating electrical energy as heat and reducing the flow of electricity through the resistor. Resistors are found in almost all electrical networks and electronic circuits and […]
RISC vs. CISC Architectures: Which one is better?
Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) is a type or category of the processor, or Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). Speaking broadly, an ISA is a medium whereby a processor communicates with the human programmer (although there are several other formally identified layers in between the processor and the programmer). An instruction is a command given to […]
Arm TrustZone explained
Arm TrustZone is a system-wide approach to embedded security option for the ARM Cortex-based processor systems. Cortex-based cores are used in everything from microcontrollers (MCUs) to high-performance processors. Arm TrustZone is an embedded security technology that starts at the hardware level by creating two environments that can run simultaneously on a single core: a secure […]
Making sense of displays: OLED, AMOLED, POLED, PMOLED and T-OLED
Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) displays are made using organic light emitting diodes, which emit light when current runs through them. The basic colors of light for these diodes are Red, Green, and Blue (RGB), which combine to create an extensive range of colors of visible light. OLED displays are different from Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) […]
