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COMP SCI > 1.1.1 > Flashcards

1.1.1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of the processor?

A

The ‘brain’ of the computer which handles the execution of instructions and allows programs to run

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2
Q

What is the function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit?

A

Perform all arithmetical and logical operations on data

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3
Q

What is the function of the control unit?

A
  • control/ coordinate operations of CPU
  • manage the flow of data between CPU and other devices
  • Accept/ decode in frictions
  • store results in memory
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4
Q

What are registers?

A

Small, high speed memory cells which temporarily store data

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5
Q

What is the function of the PC?

A

Hold the memory address of the next instruction

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6
Q

What is the function of the accumulator?

A

The the result of operations performed by the ALU

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7
Q

What is the function of the memory address register?

A

Store the memory address of the location where data is to be read from or written to

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8
Q

What is the function of the current instruction register?

A

Hold the current instruction split into op code and operand

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9
Q

What is a bud?

A

A set of parallel wires which connect components of the CPU

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10
Q

What is the function of the data bus?

A

Transfer data between components

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11
Q

What is the function of the memory bus?

A

Transfer the memory address between components

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12
Q

What is the function of the control bud?

A

Transfer control signals such as clock, memory read, memory write and interrupt

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13
Q

What is pipelining?

A

Where 3 separate FDE cycles are run simultaneously

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14
Q

What is the aim of pipelining?

A

Reduce the amount of time that the CPU is idle

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15
Q

What happens during the Fetch stage?

A
  • the contents of the PC are copied to the MAR
  • the contents of that memory address are copied into the MDR
  • the contents of the MDR are copied into the CIR
  • the PC is incremented
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16
Q

What happens during the Decode stage?

A

The instruction is split up into opcode and operand

17
Q

What factors affect CPU performance?

A
  • clock speed
  • type of cache
  • size of cache
  • number of cores
18
Q

What are the features of Von Neumann architecture?

A
  • single memory space for instructions and data
  • one data bus
19
Q

What are the features of Harvard architecture?

A
  • separate memory spaces for data and instructions
20
Q

What are the advantages of Harvard architecture?

A
  • can optimise memory space
  • quicker execution
21
Q

What are the advantages of Von Neumann architecture?

A
  • programs can be optimised in size
  • cheaper to develop
22
Q

What is contemporary architecture?

A

A mix between Harvard and von Neumann

COMP SCI (12 decks)

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