1.1 system architecture

Question 1

CPU

Answer 1

The brain of the computer, that has registers, ALU and the control unit

Question 2

Fetch-execute cycle

Answer 2

The action to retreive what to do from store, translating it and carrying it out also known as the instruction cycle

Question 3

ALU

Answer 3

Performs calculations in the CPU

Question 4

CU

Answer 4

translates instructions and sends signals to control how data moves

Question 5

Cache

Answer 5

Memory that provides fast access to often used instructions and data

Question 6

Register

Answer 6

extremely fast memory in the CPU designed to do a specific thing, where data or information is stored temporarily

Question 7

Von Neumann architecture

Answer 7

Traditional computer architecture that forms the basis of most digital computer systems. Instructions are fetched, decoded and executed one at a time

Question 8

MAR

Answer 8

Holds the address of data ready for use by the memory data register, or the address of an instruction passed from the program counter. Step 2 of the fetch, decode, execute cycle

Question 8

MDR

Answer 8

Holds the data fetched from or to be written to the memory. Step 3 of the fetch, decode, execute cycle

Question 9

program counter

Answer 9

Holds the address of the next instruction to be executed. Step 1 of the fetch, decode, execute cycle

Question 10

accumulator

Answer 10

Holds the result of calculations

Question 11

clock speed

Answer 11

Measured in Hertz, the clock speed is the frequency at which the internal clock generates pulses. The higher the clock rate, the faster the computer may work. The “clock” is the electronic unit that synchronizes related components by generating pulses at a constant rate

Question 12

cache size

Answer 12

A part of the main store between the central processor and the rest of the memory. It has extremely fast access, so sections of a program and its associated data are copied there to take advantage of its short fetch cycle. The larger the size of the cache the more that can be copied and stored here without having to go back to slower main memory (RAM), this has a significant impact on the speed of processing

Question 13

cores

Answer 13

A part of a multi-core processor. A multi-core processor is a single component with two or more independent actual CPUs, which are the units responsibly for the fetch-decode-execute cycle

Question 14

embedded system

Answer 14

A computer which has been built to solve a very specific program and is not easily changed. For example the operating system placed inside a washing machine, microwave or set of traffic lights