Architecture of CPU 1.1.1 Flashcards
Describe what happens at the end of the fetch execute cycle?
The process is repeated. The program counter is incremented
What operations does the ALU perform?
Performs maths and logic functions.
What does the Control Unit (CU) do?
Decodes instructions. Sends control signals to co-ordinate the movement of data through the processor.
Describe what the function of Address Bus is?
Transmits the address of data to be loaded from the CPU to memory. It goes one way.
Describe what the function of Data Bus is?
The data bus transmits data between components. It goes in both directions
Describe what the function of Control Bus is?
The control bus transmits command, timing, and status information between components. It goes in both directions
What is a CPU register?
The section of high-speed memory within the CPU that stores data to be processed.
State two features of the MAR?
It is a register. It stores a single address
What is the function of the MDR?
Temporarily stores data read from or written to memory.
What is the function of the Program Counter?
Stores the address of the next (or current) instruction to be run
What is the function of the Accumulator?
Stores the result of calculations/processes
What is the function of MAR?
Stores the address from which data or an instruction is to be read / written.
What is the function of CIR?
Holds the current instruction, divided into operand and opcode.
What are the features of Harvard Architecture?
Data and instructions are stored and fetched separately.
Processes instructions and data at the same time.
Faster and more complex
What is meant by pipeline?
Completing more instructions in a clock cycle by using every register constantly.
What is clock speed(Hz)?
The number of fetch, decode, execute cycles the processor performs per second.
What is cache memory?
Memory in the CPU used to store frequently used instructions.
What are cores?
The number of arithmetic and control units the processor contains.
Why is cache memory useful?
Data is transferred faster from cache than other sources.
Therefore the CPU can process instructions quicker.
More cache means more instructions.
Why is a faster clock speed important?
The CPU broadcasts a signal of 1, then 0, on a loop.
All other devices use this signal to time their actions.
A faster clock means more actions, but more heat.
Why is multiprocessing useful?
Each core can complete a different task at the same time.
Several problems can be completed concurrently.
Most programs can therefore run faster.
What is a register?
A section of high speed memory built into the CPU
