1.1.1 Architecture of the CPU Flashcards

1
Q

What is a computer?

A

A computer is an electronic device which takes input, processes data, and delivers output

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2
Q

What is a computer program?

A

To process, computers follow a set of instructions known as a computer program

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3
Q

How does a computer carry out its function?

A

A computer carries out its function by fetching the instructions, decoding them and then executing them in a repetitive cycle

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4
Q

What happens during the fetch stage?

A

In the fetch stage, it fetches the next instruction from the main memory (RAM) and brings it back to the CPU

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5
Q

What happens during the decode stage?

A

In the decoding stage, the CPU inspects the instructions and works out what it is that needs doing

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6
Q

What happens during the execute stage?

A

In the execute stage, it carries out the instructions

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7
Q

How many cycles per second does a 1GHz processor do?

A

1GHz processor = 1 billion cycles per second

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8
Q

What can the ALU do?

A

The arithmetic logic unit can carry out arithmetic calculations and making logical decisions

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9
Q

What can the control unit do?

A

The control unit sends signals to control how data moves around the CPU

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10
Q

What is the cache?

A

The cache is a small amount of very fast memory

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11
Q

What is a register?

A

The registers are super-fast pieces of onboard memory inside the CPU each with a specific purpose

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12
Q

What are the 4 registers?

A

The 4 registers are the accumulator, the memory register, program counter and memory data register

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13
Q

What is a stored-program?

A

A Stored-program computer is one that has changeable programs

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14
Q

What was the first design for modern computers called?

A

In 1945, the mathematician and physicist, John Von Neumann described the first design for modern computers that had stored programs so the became known as the Von Neumann architecture

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15
Q

What are the key characteristics of the Von Neumann architecture?

A

*The key characteristics of the architecture are:
 CPU
 Single control Unit (CU)
 Arithmetic Log Unit (ALU)
 Onboard cache
 Internal clock (it a pulse to synchronize components)

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16
Q

What does the PC do?

A

The PC (program counter) holds the memory address of the next instruction to be executed

17
Q

What does the memory address register do?

A

The memory address register holds the address of where data is to be fetched from or stored into

18
Q

What does the memory data register do?

A

The memory data register holds any data which has been fetched from memory or is about to be written to memory

19
Q

What does the accumulator do?

A

The accumulator holds the results of calculations which has been performed by the arithmetic logic unit

20
Q

How is the address used?

A

The address is used by the memory address register in order to fetch the instructions needed from the main memory and bring it back into the memory data register. The address in the program counter is added to point to the next instruction

21
Q

What are the 3 factors that affect the CPU’s overall performance?

A

A CPU’s overall performance can be affected by many different factors. The three main ones are cache size, number of cores and clock speed

22
Q

What is clock speed?

A

It’s the number of cycles per second. A Modern processors operate at billions of cycles per second, Gigahertz (GHz)

23
Q

What is cache size?

A

Temporary storage of data and instructions being read to and written from the RAM. Stores copies of recent data and instructions. Much quicker getting instructions and data from memory if we don’t need to as it costs time

24
Q

What is a core?

A

A complete copy of a CPU

25
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

Embedded System is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical system