4 Processor Fundamentals Flashcards
von Neumann architecture
Computer architecture which introduced the concept of the stored program in the 1940s
Arithmetic logic unit
Component in the processor which carries out all arithmetic and logical operations
Control unit
The CU reads an instruction from memory ( the address of the location where the instruction can be found) and generates control signals to ensure synchronisation of data flow and program instruction
System clock
Produces timing signals on the control bus to ensure synchronisation takes place
Immediate access store
Holds all data and programmes needed to be accessed buy the control unit
accumulator
Temporary general purpose register which stores numerical values at any part of a given operation
Status register
Used when an instruction requires some form of arithmetic or logic processing
Flag
Indicates the status of a bit in the status register
Address bus
Carries memory addresses through the computer system
Data bus
Allows data to be carried from processor to memory to and from input/output devices
Control bus
Carries signals from control unit to all other computer components
Unidirectional
Describes a bus which can move bits in one direction only
Bidirectional
Describes a bus which can transfer bits in both directions
Word
A group of bits used by a computer to represent a single unit
Clock cycle
Clock speeds are measured in terms of GHz send out pulses along the control bus to synchronise computer operations
Overclocking
Changing the clock speed of a system clock to a higher then standard value
BIOS
Basic input, output system
Cache memory
A higher speed auxiliary memory which permits high speed data transfer and retrieval
Core
A unit made up of an ALU, control unit, and registers which is part of a CPU
Dual core
A CPU containing two cores
Quad core
A CPU contains four coures
Port
external connection to a computer which allows it to communicate which various devices
USB ( Universal Serial Bus)
A port connecting devices to a computer
Asynchronous serial data transmission
A single wire transmitting bits of data one of the other
HDMI ( higher definition media interface)
A type of connecting port
VGA ( video, graphics and audio)
Type of port connecting devices to a computer
Fetch-decode-execute cycle
A cycle which instructions and data are fetched from memory and then decoded and finally executed
Program counter
A register used in a computer to store the addresses of the instruction which is currently being executed
Current instruction register
A register send to contain the instruction which is currently being executed of decoded
Register transfer notation (NTN)
Short hand notation to show movement of data and instructions in a processor
Interrupt
Signal from a device of software to a processor requesting its attention, the processor suspends all operations until the interrupt has been serviced
Interrupt priority
All interrupts are given a priority so that the processor knows which needs to be serviced first and which interrupts are to be dealt with quickly
