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Computer Science > 1.1 Processors > Flashcards

1.1 Processors Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the accumulator?

A

A special register to temporarily store the results of operations performed by the ALU

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2
Q

What is the address Bus?

A

Carries the memory location addresses to be read from or written to (cpu to ram)

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3
Q

What is the arithmetic logic unit?

A

A part of the CPU that performs arithmetic calculations and logical operations on data for the computer programs

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4
Q

Buses

A

A physical set of parallel wires connecting and carrying groups of bits between several components of a computer

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5
Q

What is cache?

A

A small and fast but expensive memory in the CPU used to store instructions and data that are accessed regularly

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6
Q

Clock speed

A

The frequency at which the internal clock generates signals switching between 0 and 1. It controls how often instructions are executed and data is fetched

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7
Q

Contemporary architecture

A

A modern architecture combining Von Neumann and Harvard architectures

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8
Q

What is the control bus?

A

A bi-directional bus carrying control signals from the CU to synchronise access and use of data

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9
Q

What is the Control Unit

A

A part of the CPU that controls and manages the execution of instructions. It sends control signals to coordinate execution and controls FDE cycles and buses.

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10
Q

What is the Current instruction register?

A

A special register that stores the current instruction being executed and decoded. These instructions and divided into operand and opcode.

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11
Q

What is the data bus?

A

A bi-directional bus for carrying data and instructions between the processor and memory

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12
Q

FDE cycles

A

Fetching from memory, decoding and executing the instruction

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13
Q

What is fetching

A

Supplying the address and retrieving the instruction from memory

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14
Q

Harvard architecture

A

A computer architecture that stores data and instructions in separate memories to allow the next instruction to be read whilst data is currently being read or written

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15
Q

Memory address register

A

A special register that stores the memory address of the next instruction to load or data to use

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16
Q

Memory data register

A

A special register that temporarily stores data to be read from or written to in main memory

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17
Q

Number of cores

A

A core is a processing unit that handles instructions with its own FDE cycles. Multi-core processors have multiple cores that can run simultaneously

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18
Q

Pipelining

A

The simultaneous decoding of several instructions by decoding the next instruction and fetching the one after while the current one is being executed

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19
Q

Program counter

A

A special purpose register that stores the address of the next instruction to execute

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20
Q

Registers

A

Special memory cells that can be accessed quickly. They temporarily store data and control information

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21
Q

Von Neumann architecture

A

Architecture where a single control unit manages program control via a linear sequence of FDE cycles

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22
Q

Complex instruction set computer (CISC)

A

A more complicated and expensive processor design that can execute a series of tasks in a single complex instruction built into the hardware. The variety of instructions means less RAM is used.

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23
Q

What cannot be used with a complex instruction set computer?

A

Pipelining

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24
Q

What is a Graphic processing unit?

A

A specialised processing unit with a huge number of small cores that allow efficient parallel computation for tasks such as computer graphics, machine learning, data mining

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25
Q

Multicore systems

A

Several CPU cores are incorporated into a single processor chip to help distribute wotkload

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26
Q

Parallel processing system

A

Splitting a job into several subtasks which are simultaneously carried out by each core in the system

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27
Q

Reduced instruction set computer (RISC)

A

A simpler processor design that can only execute a single simple instruction each clock cycle. This used more RAM but allows pipelining.

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28
Q

Flash storage

A

A solid state technology that stores data on a collection of memory chips, no moving parts as data is accessed by software

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29
Q

Input devices

A

Peripheral devices that allow the user to communicate and to pass readable data into a computer, decode it and send it to the CPU

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30
Q

Magnetic storage

A

Relies on the polarisation of magnetic particles to store bits on a magnetic material which is typically moved mechanically. A high capacity and low cost means of storage

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31
Q

Optical storage

A

Data is stored in the reflectivity (pits and lands) of a surface, and is read and written to by a laser

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32
Q

Output devices

A

Peripheral devices that take and convert signals from a computer into a human-readable form

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33
Q

Random access memory

A

Memory used to store programs and data in use by the computer, Quick access times by al data is lost when the computer is turned off (volatile)

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34
Q

Read only memory

A

Memory used to store information that is permanently required to boot up and run the computer. Cannot be written to and is non-volatile.

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35
Q

Storage device

A

Any medium on which data can be stored even when powered off

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36
Q

Virtual storage

A

Using the hard disk as though it were an extension of memory to free up more RAM for current programs

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37
Q

Name 3 jobs the control unit performs

A
  • Controlling and coordinating the activities of the CPU
  • Managing the flow of data between the CPU and other devices
  • Accepting the next instruction
  • Decoding instructions
  • Storing the resulting data back in memory
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38
Q

Name three control signals sent by the control bus

A
  • Bus request: shows that a device is requesting the use of the data bus
  • Bus grant: shows that the CPU has granted access to the data bus
  • Memory write: data is written into the addressed location using this bus
  • Memory read: data is read from a specific location to be placed onto the data bus,
  • Interrupt request: shows that a device is requesting access to the CPU
  • Clock: used to synchronise operations
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39
Q

What is assembly code

A

uses mnemonics to represent instructions. Simplified way of representing machine code

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40
Q

In assembly what is the instruction divided into

A

Operand and opcode (happens in the CIR)

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41
Q

What does the operand contain?

A

Data or the address of the data upon which the operation is to be performedWh

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42
Q

What does the opcode specify?

A

Type of instruction to be executed

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43
Q

How many separate FDE cycles need to be running simultaneously for pipelining?

A

3

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44
Q

Where is appropriate data held in pipelining?

A

A bugger in close proximity to the CPU until is required (one fethced, one decoded and one executed)

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45
Q

What is pipelining aimed to reduce?

A

The amount of the CPU which is kept idle

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46
Q

What is pipelining separated into?

A

Instruction pipelining and arithmetic pipelining

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47
Q

What is instruction pipelining?

A

Seperating out the instruction into fetching, decoding and executing

48
Q

What is arithmetic pipelining?

A

Breaking down the arithmetic operations and overlapping them as they are performed.

49
Q

What happens in the fetch phase?

A
  • Address from the PC is copied to the MAR
  • Instruction held at that address is copied to MDR by the data bus
  • Simultaneously, the contents of the PC are increased by 1
  • The value held in the MDR is copied to the CIR
50
Q

What happens in the decode phase?

A

The contents of CIR are split into operand and opcode

51
Q

What happens in the execute phase?

A

The decoded instruction is executed

52
Q

What is clock speed determined by and what is it

A

System clock which is an electronic device which generates signals, switching them between 0 and 1. all processor activities begin on a pulse. Time taken for one cycle to complete

53
Q

What is a core?

A

An independent processor that is able to run its own fetch-decode execute cycle.

54
Q

What happens as cache fills up

A

Unused instructions are replaced

55
Q

What concept is the Von Neumann architecture built on?

A

Stores program concept

56
Q

What is Harvard architecture commonly used with?

A

Embedded processors

57
Q

What does Harvard architecture do with memories?

A

Physically separates memories for instructions and data

58
Q

Why is Harvard architecture useful when memories have different characteristics?

A

instructions may be read only, while data may be read-write.
This also allows you to optimise the size of individual memory cells and their buses
depending on your needs, i.e. the instruction memory can be designed to be larger so a
larger word size can be used for instructions.

59
Q

Advantages of Von Neumann architecture?

A

Cheaper to develop as the control unit is
easier to design
Programs can be optimised in size

60
Q

Advantages of Harvard Architecture?

A

Quicker execution as data and instructions
can be fetched in parallel
Memories can be different sizes, which can
make more efficient use of space

61
Q

When is Von Neumann architecture used in contemporary processing?

A

when working with data and instructions in main memory

62
Q

When is Harvard architecture used in contemporary processing?

A

to divide the cache into instruction cache and data cache

63
Q

Where are complex instruction set computers used

A

Microcontrollers and embedded systems

64
Q

RISC processors and use of RAM

A

More RAM required

65
Q

CISC processors and use of RAM

A

Less RAM is required since code is shorter

66
Q

Why is pipelining possible with RISC

A

Each instruction takes one clock cycle

67
Q

What happens with CISC and specialised instruction?

A

Many specialised instructions are made,
even though only a few of them are used

68
Q

How do parallel systems still only requite one core?

A

They use threading

69
Q

What systems perform best in larger projects (multicore or parallel)?

A

Multi-core systems

70
Q

How do GPU’s work

A

Use lots of independent processors which work in parallel making it efficient for repetitive tasks

71
Q

What are some repetitive tasts that GPU’s are good at

A

Image processing and machine learning

72
Q

What is a co-processor?

A

a secondary processor designed to supplement the activities of the primary processor

73
Q

Example of a type of co-processor

A

GPU’s

74
Q

What is a magnetic stripe reader?

A

Used to read data from magnetic stripes on cards like credit and debit cards

75
Q

What is a barcode reader?

A

Used in supermarket checkouts and access control systems to read information
from printed labels and cards

76
Q

What is a webcam?

A

A camera used by a computer to take photos and record videos

77
Q

What is a keyboard?

A

Used to enter text into a computer

78
Q

What is a speaker?

A

Used to output sound from a computer

79
Q

What is a printer?

A

Used to output information from a computer onto paper

80
Q

What is a projector?

A

Used to project video content from a computer onto a screen

81
Q

Example of a device that is both input and output

A

Monitor with touch input

82
Q

How is data written with a laser on optical storage

A

Through spiral tracks that contain pits and lands which either reflect or scatter the incident laser

83
Q

What do pits represent?

A

0

84
Q

What do lands represent?

A

1

85
Q

Disadvantages of CD’s

A

easily damaged by scratches, their limited
storage capacity and relatively slow transfer speeds

86
Q

What does CD stand for?

A

Compact disc

87
Q

What does DVD stand for?

A

digital versatile disc or digital video disc

88
Q

Difference between DVD and CD?

A

DVD’s have a higher storage capacity than CDs

89
Q

Difference between Blu-Ray and DVD’s?

A

blu-ray discs have more than five times as much
storage than traditional DVDs, making them useful for storing high-resolution films

90
Q

Two states of magnetic storage

A

Polarised and unpolarised

91
Q

Polarised on a magnetic disk?

A

If a portion of magnetic material is polarised,
all magnetic poles align and can be read by a read/write head passing over the region

92
Q

Unpolarised on a magnetic disk?

A

If an area is not polarised, magnetic poles are randomly scattered and produce a different
reading on a read/write head

93
Q

Give 3 types of magnetic storage

A

Hard disk drives, magnetic tape and floppy disks

94
Q

How do hard drives work?

A

They work by rotating magnetic platters at high speeds
under a read/write head on an actuating arm. The combination of the arm and
rotating platter allows the read/write head to access any part of the platter

95
Q

Can hard drives have more than one platter?

A

Yes, a lot of the time they are stacked on top of each other

96
Q

Disadvantages of hard drives?

A

slow data transfer speeds and their
tendency to become damaged by movement

97
Q

Why are hard drives delicate?

A

The combination of brittle platters and
moving parts results in a delicate device

98
Q

How does magnetic tape work?

A

Wound onto reels, long stretches of
tape were passed through readers which would check the polarity of the tape and
read off a binary value

99
Q

Disadvantages of magnetic tape

A

Bulky

100
Q

What is a floppy disk?

A

a thin magnetic disk enclosed in plastic to protect the disk from dust and dirt

101
Q

Advantages of floppy disks?

A

They were incredibly portable

102
Q

Why were floppy disks portable

A

Think size and low weight

103
Q

How does flash storage work?

A

The technology makes
use of silicon semiconductors forming the logic gates NAND
and NOR to store electrical charge in one of two states: high
or low

104
Q

What is information stored in for flash storage?

A

Blocks

105
Q

Logic gate used in flash for small quantities of data?

A

NOR

106
Q

Logic gate used in flash for larger quantities of data?

A

NAND

107
Q

What are blocks combined to form?

A

Pages

108
Q

Can flash memory be erased?

A

Yes it can be erased and reprogrammed electronically

109
Q

Is flash memory volatile?

A

No

110
Q

Why are SSD’s resistant to damage?

A

No moving parts

111
Q

Are SSD’s light?

A

Yes

112
Q

Are SSD’s fast?

A

Yes

113
Q

Disadvantages of SSD’s

A

Expensive and lifespan as ever time a page is written the voltage required to write it increases until it cannot be written anymore

114
Q

Disadvantages of virtual storage?

A

Limitations of a user’s network and expensive

115
Q

What is cloud info stored on?

A

100s of hard drives or SSD’s formatted to act as a single piece of storage

116
Q

What is a program?

A

A collection of instructions

117
Q
A

Computer Science (33 decks)

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