Computer Architecture

Question 1

What are the main characteristics of Harvard Architecture

Answer 1

Seperate storage for data and instructions
Seperate buses for storage and instructions
Can fetch data and instructions simultaneously, due to the architecture having separate buses for data transfers and instruction fetches.

Question 2

What are the main characterisitcs of Von Neumann Architecture?

Answer 2

Single, shared memory for programs and data
Single bus for memory access

Question 3

What is the Von Neumann Bottleneck?

Answer 3

The limited throughput (data transfer rate) between the central processing unit (CPU) and memory compared to the amount of memory due to the shared bus/

Question 4

What are the benefits of Harvard Architecture

Answer 4

Each memory can be adapted to meet the needs of a particular system: the instruction and data memories can be different sizes, different word lengths, or implemented using a different type of technology.
Instructions and data being stored in the same memory makes it more vulnerable to hackers

Question 5

When is Harvard Architecture used?

Answer 5

In embedded systems where instructions are predetermined and speed of operation is important