Device controller: Difference between revisions
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A '''device controller''' is a block of [[hardware]] which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to its [[bus]], although possibly to the [[central processing unit|CPU]] directly) and some external [[peripheral]] device (often [[secondary storage]]). | A '''device controller''' is a block of [[electronic]] [[hardware]] which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to its [[bus]], although possibly to the [[central processing unit|CPU]] directly) and some external [[peripheral]] device (often [[secondary storage]]). | ||
The canonical pairing is a disk controller and a [[disk]] drive, although controllers are also found with [[magnetic tape drive]]s, [[paper tape]] readers and/or punches, and numerous other kinds of devices. | The canonical pairing is a disk controller and a [[disk]] drive, although controllers are also found with [[magnetic tape drive]]s, [[paper tape]] readers and/or punches, and numerous other kinds of devices. | ||
Usually a single controller is able to handle multiple identical devices, thereby amortizing the controller's cost, since the external devices often include mechanical components, and are thus slower than the all- | Usually a single controller is able to handle multiple identical devices, thereby amortizing the controller's cost, since the external devices often include mechanical components, and are thus slower than the all-electronic controller. | ||
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Revision as of 21:12, 20 August 2018
A device controller is a block of electronic hardware which is an intermediary between a computer (usually connecting to its bus, although possibly to the CPU directly) and some external peripheral device (often secondary storage).
The canonical pairing is a disk controller and a disk drive, although controllers are also found with magnetic tape drives, paper tape readers and/or punches, and numerous other kinds of devices.
Usually a single controller is able to handle multiple identical devices, thereby amortizing the controller's cost, since the external devices often include mechanical components, and are thus slower than the all-electronic controller.
