What is an adapter? Areas of application

Beginning users often arisethe question: "What is an adapter?" Previously, this name was widely used in various branches of electronics. But today it is most often found in
computer sphere. This word lies in the components of the PC, which allow one to combine those elements that can not be connected directly.

For example, the monitor and the motherboard can not be directly connected. For these purposes, a graphic accelerator is mandatory. This is one of the possible examples of what an adapter is.

Classification

To date, such devices are classified according to two criteria. The first - in the field of application:

• video;
• sound;
• net;
• power supplies;
• communications.

With the help of such converters, the computer canbe connected to various external devices: monitor, speaker system, external network, power supply and peripheral devices. Depending on the version, the adapters can be external or internal (they are also called integrated into the motherboard). This is the second version of the classification.

Video

First of all, the question "what is an adapter"It occurs after acquaintance with the graphic subsystem of the computer. It is implemented using a separate chip, the performance of which is comparable to the computer as a whole. She is

can be integrated into the system board (integrated version) or installed in the expansion slot (external). The latter differ more
high performance and are most often used in graphics stations and gaming computers. For office PCs, there is simply no alternative to integrated solutions.

Sound

To organize the sound system alsospecial converters are used. In most cases, integrated solutions are used. And only in case of increased requirements for sound is used an external board, which has improved characteristics.

Net

Another example of such converters isnetwork cards. They can be integrated or external, depending on the mode of execution. Another criterion by which they are classified is the connection. In one case, wires are used for data transmission (for example, twisted pair). In another case, the information can be transmitted by means of electromagnetic radiation from Wi-Fi or BlueTooth. Most often, such an adapter for a laptop is used in the integrated version, and for stationary - in the external. This is wireless data transmission.

Power supply system

The owners of mobile PCs the question "what isadapter "occurs more often. This is explained by the fact that their power supply system includes another such converter, which is not included in the stationary PC. In fact, this block

power, which converts the alternating voltage into a constant voltage and lowers it to the required value.

Communications

Now find out what an adapter is for connectingcommunications. All modern computers without exception are equipped with various ports: USB, LPT, COM, PS / 2 and so on. There are cases, for example, that the mouse connects to PS / 2, and such ports are busy. In this situation, there can be two solutions. Or buy a new manipulator, or use a converter. The second solution is cheaper, and the mouse has become accustomed to, and do not want to change something. Here in such cases, adapters are used to connect various peripheral devices.

The result

Without such converters it is enoughit is problematic to present the work of modern computers. For example, a laptop power adapter allows it to be connected to an AC power supply, without which it will not be possible to turn it on at all.

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