1.1 systems architecture Flashcards
What is the CPU
The brains of a computer.A small chip located on the motherboard that executes the fecth-decode-execute cycle to process all instruction that are given by the user
What is the fetch in the FDE cycle
-An instruction is fetched from RAM(main memory)
Decode in FDE
-instruction is broken down and converted into a language that the computer can understand-binary
execute in FDE
-instruction is executed and carried out, user receives that they requested.
Fetch in detail
In order to fetch the correct instruction, the processor looks to the PC (Program Counter). This
register records the address of the next instruction to fetch. Once fetched, the data is stored
in the MDR (Memory Data Register), which holds the data of the current instruction being
fetched. As well as this, the address of the data being fetched is also stored, in the MAR
(Memory Address Register).Once done,PC points to next instruction
Decode in detail
Control unit determines what instruction it is.It breaks the instruction down and converts it to binary.
Execute in detail
Once the instruction has been decoded, the instruction is ready to be executed. The ALU
(Arithmetic Logic Unit) may now be required, to perform any arithmetic (addition, subtraction
etc.) or logical (greater than, less than, equal to etc.) operations on the data. Whilst the
Arithmetic Logic Unit performs these operations, the Accumulator will store any data
necessary whilst these operations are completed.
register
small amount of memory within the CPU
What is computer architecture
internal,logical structure and organisation of the computer hardware.How all the different pieces of the computer fit together and work together efficiently.
Von Neumann architecture
-all devices follow a general rule when processing information.All data and programs are stored in the computer’s memory and are stored as binary digits(0 and 1)
Clock speed affect on CPU performance
-clock speed is amount of FDE cycles that can be completed every second,therefore increasing clock speed means that the cpu can process more instruction per second,so we are less likely to experience the computer slowing down.
Number of cores affect on CPU performance
a processor in the CPU.More cores in the CPU=more instructions being processed and carried out at onece.
cache memory affect on CPU performance
Small amount of memory located on the CPU where frequent instructions are stored.Quick to access as it is right next to the CPU,but has small space,bigger cache size,more isntructions can be stored
What is an embedded system
An Embedded System is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger computer
system. An Embedded System is dedicated to a single task
for example:
Washing machines
dishwasher
DVD players
Microwaves
