Computer Systems - CPU

Question 1

Purpose of CPU

Answer 1

To execute program instructions.
Processes 1 task at a time.
It equates to the human brain.
Each CPU has got it’s own instruction set.

Question 2

Types of tasks…

Answer 2

Searching
Sorting
Calculating
Making Decisions

Question 3

Control Unit

Answer 3

Directs the operation of the processor.
Tells the computer’s memory Arithmetic And Logic Unit and input and output devices on how to respond to a program’s instructions. (controls and monitors hardware e.g. PRINTER)

Question 4

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Answer 4

Digital circuit used to perform arithmetic and logic operations.
Represents the fundamental building block of the CPU.

Question 5

Immediate Access Store (IAS)

Answer 5

Where the CPU holds all the data and programs that it’s currently using. Fetches the data and programs in the background, store it in RAM temporarily.

Question 6

Arithmetic

Answer 6

performs calculations

Question 7

Logic

Answer 7

deals with logic and comparisons

Question 8

Bus

Answer 8

A communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer, or between computers (e.g. wires)

Question 9

Address Bus

Answer 9

(doesn’t carry the data just the address)
Transfers data between devices that are identified by hardware address, which is stored in binary numbers to enable the data bus to access memory storage.

Question 10

Data Bus

Answer 10

(carries the data)
Connects all the internal components of a computer, such as CPU and memory, to the motherboard. Connects to local devices.

Question 11

Control Bus

Answer 11

(specifies read or write operation)

Used by the CPU to communicate with devices within the computer. Connected using cables or printed circuits.

Question 12

Von Neumann architecture

Answer 12

Utilises one central memory store which hold two key pieces of information:
Instructions – The programs
Data – User data that has been entered

(Every PC runs on this architecture)

Question 13

Fetch-Decode-Execute

Answer 13

(core function of the CPU)
The Data id loaded…
FETCH: Gets the address from the CPU and sends it to the register using the address bus. Data is then sent back to the CPU using the data bus.

DECODE: The address is a memory location and is sent to the RAM using the address bus. Counter is incremented.

EXECUTE: Contents of the address are loaded on the accumulator.