1.1.1 Von Neumann Architecture Flashcards
What is the von Neumann architecture
The von Neumann architecture is a type of CPU architecture which describes a system where the CPU runs programs stored in memory.
What does the von Neumann architecture consist of?
Control Unit (CU)
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Memory Unit (typically RAM)
Inputs and Outputs
On what concept is the Von Neumann architecture based on
The von Neumann architecture is based on the concept of the stored-program concept.
What is a stored-program computer
A stored-program computer is a computer that has changeable programs.
What is common between how instruction data and program data are stored?
Both instruction data AND program data are stored in the same memory in binary form.
In what form is instruction data and program data stored in.
Both instruction data AND program data are stored in the same memory IN BINARY FORM.
Is it possible to know if pure binary (held in the memory) is representing instructions or data (simply by looking at it)
There is no way to know if pure binary held in memory is representing instructions or data simply by looking at it (it has to be brought into the processor and decoded)
How can you know if pure binary (held in the memory) is representing instructions or data.
There is no way to know if pure binary held in memory is representing instructions or data simply by looking at it (THE PURE BINARY HAS TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE PROCESSOR AND DECODED)
State the registers that the von Neumann architecture contains
Memory Address Register (MAR)
Memory Data Register (MDR)
Accumulator
Program Counter (PC)
State the purpose of the memory
The memory holds the program instructions and the program data
State the purpose of the Program Counter
Holds the address of the next instruction to be executed in memory
State the purpose of the Memory Address Register
Holds the address of where data is to be fetched or stored
What happens to the Program Counter if an address has been fetched from it
The contents of the program counter are incremented by one, so it points to the next instruction to be executed
State the purpose of the Memory Data Register
Holds the data fetched from memory, or to be written to memory
State the purpose of the Accumulator
Holds the results of calculations (which have been performed by the Arithmetic Logic Unit)
