Device controller facts for kids
A device controller is a system that handles the incoming and outgoing signals of the CPU. A device is connected to the computer via a plug and socket, and the socket is connected to a device controller. Device controllers use binary and digital codes. An IO device contains mechanical and electrical parts. A device controller is the electrical part of the IO device.
Device-Operating System Communication
The Device Controller receives the data from a connected device and stores it temporarily in some special purpose registers (i.e. local buffer) inside the controller. Then it communicates the data with a Device Driver . For each device controller there is an equivalent device driver which is the standard interface through which the device controller communicates with the Operating Systems through Interrupts. Device controller is a hardware whereas device driver is a software. The controller's job is to convert the serial bit stream to block bytes and perform any error correction necessary. Each device controller is in charge of a specific type of device (for example disk drivers,audio devices, or video displays) .Each device controller has a local buffer.
Images for kids
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Intel C8251 Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (USART) chip
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A disassembled and labeled disk drive showing controller integrated into the drive.
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Video display controller expansion board
