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Computing > 1.1 - Systems Architecture > Flashcards

1.1 - Systems Architecture Flashcards

1
Q

What is the purpose of CPU?

A
  • To process data
  • A place where processes like, sorting, searching & calculating take place
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2
Q

What are the three stages of the fetch-execute cycle?

A

Fetch
Decode
Execute

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3
Q

What happens at each stage of the fetch-execute cycle?

A

Fetch:
- Fetches next instruction from main memory CPU
- Brings instructions back
Decode:
- Inspects instructions, works out what needs to be done
Execute:
- Carries out the instruction

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4
Q

What is the CPU?

A
  • Central processing unit
  • Decodes and executes instructions
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5
Q

What are the four main components of CPU?

A
  • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Control Unit (CU)
  • Cache
  • Registers
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6
Q

What is the function of the ALU?

A
  • Carrying out arithmetic calculations
  • Making logical decisions
  • Handles bit shifting
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7
Q

What is the function of the CU?

A
  • To send signals to control how data moves around the CPU
  • Decodes instructions
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8
Q

What is the function of Cache?

A
  • To provide fast access to frequently used instructions and data
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9
Q

What are Registers?

A
  • Tiny, super fast pieces of onboard memory inside the CPU, each with a very specific purpose
  • Enables FDE Cycle
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10
Q

What is the Von Neumann Architecture?

A
  • Based on the stored program concept
  • Instructions and data share the same memory space
  • Instructions are fetched, decoded and executed one at a time
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11
Q

What does the VNA consist of?

A
  • Control Unit (CU)
  • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Main Memory (RAM)
  • Inputs and Outputs
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12
Q

What registers does a VN CPU contain?

A
  • Program Counter (PC)
  • Memory Address Register (MAR)
  • Memory Data Register (MDR)
  • Accumulator
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13
Q

What is the function of a PC?

A

PC:
- Holds address of next instruction to be executed in memory

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14
Q

What is the function of an Accumulator?

A

Accumulator:
- Holds the results of calculations
- Used to hold the data currently being processed by the central processor

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15
Q

What is the function of MAR?

A
  • Assists the FDE cycle
    MAR:
  • Holds the memory address where data is to be fetched from or written to (currently being accessed)
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16
Q

What is the function of MDR?

A
  • Assists the FDE cycle
    MDR:
  • Holds data fetched from memory or to be written to memory
17
Q

What is the difference between storing data and an address?

A
  • Both instruction & program data are stored in the same memory in binary form
  • There is no way to know if the pure binary held in memory represents instructions or data simply by looking at it
18
Q

What are the 3 main characteristics that affect CPU performance?

A
  • Clock speed
  • Cache size
  • Number of cores
19
Q

What is Clock Speed?

A
  • The number of cycles per second / the frequency at which the internal clock generates pulses
  • Measured in Hertz (Hz)
  • eg. 3.2GHz clock speed = 3.2 billion instructions fetched per second
20
Q

What is Cache?

A
  • Temporary storage of data and instructions being read to and written from RAM
  • Stores copies of recent data and instructions
  • Much quicker getting items from cache than RAM
  • Tries to avoid getting instructions/data from memory if we don’t need to
21
Q

What is Cache Size?

A
  • The number of instructions / data that can be held within the CPU
  • A small cache increases the speed of the CPU because instructions / data are not fetched from RAM
22
Q

What are Cores?

A
  • A processing unit in the CPU
  • A complete copy of a CPU
  • A quad-core processor would have 4 separate processing units, each with its own Reg, ALU, Accum & CU
  • Doubling the number of cores doesn’t double the overall speed
23
Q

What happens if you double the amount of cores you have?

A
  • Doubling the number of cores doesn’t double the overall speed
  • CPU cores have to communicate w/ each other, which takes time
  • Many programs aren’t designed to make use of multiple cores
24
Q

What happens to each of the characteristics if you change them?

A

Clock Speed:
- Increase would make the CPU run faster
Cache:
- The bigger the cache, the less time a processor has to wait for instructions to be fetched
Cores:
- System performance will increase if you have more

25
Q

What are embedded systems?

A
  • A computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical system
26
Q

What are the typical properties of an embedded system?

A
  • Low power consumption
  • Small size
  • Rugged operating ranges
  • Low cost per unit
27
Q

What are some examples of embedded systems?

A
  • Traffic lights
  • House appliances
  • Factory equipment
  • Engine management systems
  • Hospital equipment

Computing (17 decks)

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