1.1 systems architecture

Question 1

Processor

Answer 1

The brains of a computer system and it processes data

Carries out instructions (executes them)

Question 2

GHz

Answer 2

1 GHz Processor executes 1 Billion Instructions per second and 2 executes 2 Billion

Question 3

Hertz

Answer 3

Typical speeds have spanned cross MHz and GHz

Question 4

Embedded System​

Answer 4

A computer system which has both hardware and software, (firmware). Usually for very specialized tasks, they don’t usually have an operating system.

A component of a much larger network of components, often used for controlling a specific mechanical function within a larger or more sophisticated device.

Question 5

Clock Speed​

Answer 5

Processors have a clock speed measured in Hertz – number of cycles per second

Question 6

Cache

Answer 6

Processors have cache which is very fast and usually a very small amount of memory on the processor chip. The cache as an intermediary between the processor and the main memory. As programs are executing – the Cache holds commonly used instructions

Question 7

Core

Answer 7

Each processor has a core which instructions are executed. Some can be multi-core e.g. dual core. Each core executes instructions independently and dual core may execute twice as many instructions.

Question 8

I/O controllers

Answer 8

These are used to allow an interface between a hardware device external to the motherboard(e.g. a keyboard) and the processor itself

I/O controllers are used for: keyboard, mouse, disk drive, VDU

Question 9

RAM

Answer 9

Holds data and instructions that are currently in use by the processor
Located on the motherboard
Directly accessible by the processor
All data/instructions are lost once power is turned off
This is known as volatile

Question 10

what does ROM stand for?

Answer 10

Read only memory

Question 11

BIOS

Answer 11

It loads the operating system
When you turn on your computer and the CPU tries to execute its first instruction, but it has to get that instruction from somewhere
It cannot get it from the operating system because the operating system is located on a hard disk, and the CPU cannot get to it without some instructions that tell it how
The BIOS provides those instructions

Question 12

POST

Answer 12

It’s the initial set of diagnostic tests performed by the computer right after it’s powered on, with the intent to check for any hardware related issues

Question 13

what does I/O controllers mean?

Answer 13

Input/output

Question 14

What does RAM stand for?

Answer 14

Random access memory

Question 15

What does POST stand for?

Answer 15

Power on self test

Question 16

what is a GHz dual and quad core clock speed?

Answer 16

when the number of billions of instructions per second doubles or quadruples

Question 17

What are the advantages of embedded systems?

Answer 17

It doesn’t need much energy

Has only one task so works faster

Question 18

What are the Disadvantages of embedded systems?

Answer 18

Limited to one purpose

Cant be upgraded

Question 19

PC-Program counter

Answer 19

Holds the location of the next instruction/data address in main memory

Question 20

MAR-Memory Address Register

Answer 20

The contents of the PC are copied here and then transferred along the address bus

Question 21

MDR-Memory Data Register

Answer 21

Once data/instructions are brought from the memory address in main memory; they are placed in the MDR

Question 22

CIR-Current Instruction Register

Answer 22

The instructions stored in the MDR are copied here

Question 23

ALU-Arithmetic Logic Unit

Answer 23

Performs arithmetic and logical operations including: +, -, AND, OR.

Question 24

ACC-Accumulator

Answer 24

Results of calculations are placed into the accumulator

Question 25

FDE - fetch decode execute

Answer 25

Fetch part of the cycle – program counter is incremented for each instruction of the program being executed

The contents of the program counter are put into the memory address register

The address is transferred along the address bus to main memory. The address indicated which part of the memory to fetch the data/ instructions from.

Question 26

Decode/Execute part

Answer 26

The instruction to be decoded is held in the Current Instruction Register

The instruction is carried out by the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Question 27

Address Bus

Answer 27

Uni directional processor generates an address

Question 28

Data Bus

Answer 28

Carries data/instructions from main memory

Data can be written/read

Question 29

Control Bus

Answer 29

For example, memory read memory write

This instructs which was data will be travelling to/from memory

Question 30

Control Unit

Answer 30

Sends control signals between the different internal components

Memory read, memory write, hard disk drive read and I/O

Question 31

examples of embedded systems?

Answer 31

printer
mp3 - player
home assistant
hi-fi system
gameboy

Question 32

what are the busses in the CPU?

Answer 32

data bus- to and from CPU to RAM
address bus - to RAM
control bus - to RAM

Question 33

what are the different registers?

Answer 33

PC
MAR
CIR
MDR
ALU
ACC