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GSCE Computer Science OCR > 1.1 System Architecture > Flashcards

1.1 System Architecture Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

A computer designed for a dedicated function inside a larger device

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2
Q

What is the clock speed?

A

It is the number of instructions a processer can carry out per second

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3
Q

Why are Embedded systems efficient?

A

They are dedicated to a single task

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4
Q

Why does an increasing number of cores increase the speed of the CPU?

A

More cores a CPU has, more instructions can be carried out at once (multitasking)

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5
Q

What is cache?

A

Small component that stores frequently stored data

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6
Q

Why does a larger cache increase the speed of a computer?

A

Gives the CPU faster access to more data

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7
Q

Where does the CPU fetch instructions from?

A

RAM

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8
Q

Where does the CPU copy memory address to?

A

MAR

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9
Q

When does the PC become incremented?

A

When fetching an instruction?

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10
Q

What is the purpose of the CU?

A

Sends timing signals

Sends Control signals

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11
Q

Where are the instructions executed?

A

In the CU

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12
Q

What is a register?

A

A small amount of high-speed random access memory contained within the processor

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13
Q

What is the purpose of the program counter?

A

Holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched

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14
Q

What is the purpose of the ALU?

A

Does all the calculations and logic operators

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15
Q

What is the purpose of the Accumulator?

A

Holds the result of any calculations of the ALU

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16
Q

What is the purpose of the MAR?

A

Holds the address about to be used by the CPU

17
Q

What is the purpose of the MDR?

A

Holds the actual data or instruction being processed by the CPU

18
Q

What is the purpose of the Address bus?

A

Carries memory addresses from the processer to other components

19
Q

What is the purpose of the Data bus?

A

Carries the actual data data between the processor and other components

20
Q

What is the purpose of the Control bus?

A

Carries control signals from the processer to other components.
Also carries the clock’s pulses

21
Q

What is a general purpose computer?

A

A computer designed to perform more than one task

22
Q

What is a computer?

A

An electronic device that takes an input; processes data and delivers and output

23
Q

What is the purpose of the CPU?

A

To fetch, decode and execute instructions

24
Q

What is the purpose of the ALU?

A

Responsible for arithmetic calculations

Responsible for logical decisions

25
Q

What are the key characteristics of the Von Neumann Architecture?

A 
Central process uniting
Single Control Unit
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Onboard Cache
Internal Clock
26
Q

What is the Von Neumann structure based on?

A

Based on the concept of the stored-program concept

27
Q

What is the clock speed measure in?

A

Hz

28
Q

What happens if the clock speed increases?

A

More fetch-decode-execute cycles can happen - as a result leads to improved efficiency

29
Q

Where is the cache?

A

Near the CPU

30
Q

What is a core?

A

A complete copy of the CPU

31
Q

What is a quad-core processer?

A 
Has 4 separate processing units each with its own:
Accumulator
ALU
Registers
Control Unit etc.
32
Q

What are the benefits of having a CPU with multiple cores?

A

Have more power to run multiple programs at the same time

33
Q

Why does doubling the number of cores simply not double the overall speed?

A

CPU cores have to communicate with each other, this takes time
Many programs are not designed to make use of multiple cores

34
Q

What are the properties of embedded systems?

A

Lower power consumption
Small size
Rugged operating system
Low cost per unit

35
Q

What are some examples of embedded systems?

A

Traffic light
Domestic appliances
Factory equipment
Hospital equipment

GSCE Computer Science OCR (14 decks)

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