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Computer Science > 1.1 Sytems Architecture > Flashcards

1.1 Sytems Architecture Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a general purpose computer ?

A

a computer that is designed to be able to carry out many different tasks.

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2
Q

What is an application ?

A

A software program that allows a user to perform a specific task.

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3
Q

What is hardware ?

A

the physical components of the computer

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4
Q

What is software ?

A

the programs that run on a computer

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5
Q

What is the purpose of the CPU ?

A
  • process data and instructions
  • control the rest of the computer system
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6
Q

What is the first step of the fetch - decode- execute cycle ?

A

memory address held in the PC is copied into the MAR.

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7
Q

What is the second step of the fetch - decode- execute cycle ?

A

address in the PC is then incremented
by one.

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8
Q

What is the third step of the fetch - decode- execute cycle ?

A

processor sends a signal along the address bus to the memory address held in the MAR.

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9
Q

What is the fourth step of the fetch - decode- execute cycle ?

A

instruction/data held in that memory address is sent along the data bus to the MDR.

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10
Q

What is the fifth step of the fetch - decode- execute cycle ?

A

The instruction/data held in the MDR is copied into the CIR.

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11
Q

What is the sixth step of the fetch - decode- execute cycle ?

A

The instruction/data held in the CIR is decoded and then executed.
Results of processing are stored in the ACC.

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12
Q

What is the seventh step of the fetch - decode- execute cycle ?

A

The cycle returns to step one

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13
Q

What are the six main components of the CPU ?

A

control unit (CU)
arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
registers
cache
buses
clock

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14
Q

What is the Control Unit ?

A

The component of the CPU that manages instructions.

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15
Q

What is the ALU ?

A

performs arithmetic and logic calculations.

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16
Q

What is a register ?

A

high speed memory that stores data to be processed.

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17
Q

What is a bus ?

A

A channel of communication used to transport data and instructions in the CPU

18
Q

What is a clock ?

A

sends out regular pulse to synchronise the computer’s hardware components.

19
Q

What are the three main functions of the Control Unit ?

A
  • fetch ,decode, execute instructions
  • issues control signals that control hardware
  • moves data around the system
20
Q

What are the two main functions of the ALU ?

A
  • performs arithmetic and logical operations
  • gateway between primary memory and secondary storage
21
Q

What is the purpose of the cache ?

A

used to temporarily hold data and instructions that the processor is likely to reuse

22
Q

What are the two types of cache ?

A

L1, L2

23
Q

What are the properties of L1 cache ?

A
  • extremely fast transfer rates
  • very small in size.
24
Q

What does L1 cache hold ?

A

most frequently used instructions and data.

25
Q

What are the properties of L2 cache ?

A
  • Bigger in capacity than L1
  • Slower in speed
26
Q

What does L2 cache hold ?

A

data and instructions that are needed less frequently.

27
Q

What is Von Neumann architecture ?

A

A stored program concept

28
Q

What are the key elements of Von Neumann architecture ?

A
  • D and I stored in binary digits
  • D and I stored in primary memory
  • Instructions are fetched serially
  • the processor decodes and executes an instruction, before cycling around

-The cycle runs till there is no more variables

29
Q

What is the purpose of the MAR ?

A
  • holds the address of the current instruction that is to be fetched from memory
  • or the address in memory to which data is to be transferred
30
Q

What is the purpose of the MDR ?

A
  • holds the contents found at the address held in the MAR
  • or data which is to be transferred to primary memory
31
Q

What is the purpose of the CIR ?

A

holds the instruction that is currently being decoded and executed

32
Q

What is the purpose of the ACC (Accumulator)?

A

holds the data being processed and the results of processing

33
Q

What is clock speed ?

A

The frequency of the pulses

34
Q

What are the three factors that affect CPU performance ?

A
  • clock speed
  • cache size
  • number of cores
35
Q

How is clock speed measured ?

A

Hertz - Hz

36
Q

What are the effects of overclocking ?

A

long term damage to the CPU as it is working harder and producing more heat.

37
Q

What is the Program Counter ?

A

holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched from primary memory

38
Q

What is an embedded system ?

A

A special purpose computer built into another device.

39
Q

What are the advantages of embedded systems over general purpose computers ?

A
  • limited functions = cheaper to design +build
  • Require less power
  • Don’t need much processing power
40
Q

Do embedded systems require frequent updates ?

A

YES

Computer Science (22 decks)

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