Part 1 - Introduction

Question 1

Architecture (2)

Answer 1

1. High level design aspects.

2. Specify what the computer has to be able to do.

Question 2

Organization (2)

Answer 2

1. Low level aspects

2. How to achieve the requirements of the system

Question 3

Embedded computers (2)

Answer 3

1. Specific purpose computers

2. Integrated in larger systems to automatically monitor and control processes

Question 4

Personal computers (1)

Answer 4

1. For individual use

Question 5

Servers and Enterprise systems (1)

Answer 5

1. Shared computers accessed from personal computers over a network.

Question 6

Supercomputers (1)

Answer 6

1. Used for high demanding calculations (as in weather forecasting)

Question 7

Grid computers (2)

Answer 7

1. Combination of a large number of personal computers and disk storages.
2. Distribution over a network.

Question 8

Functional units (5)

Answer 8

1. Input
2. Output
3. Arithmetic and logic
4. Memory
5. Control units

Question 9

Input (1)

Answer 9

1. Accepts information from user

Question 10

Output (1)

Answer 10

1. Sends back results

Question 11

Control units (1)

Answer 11

1. Coordinates actions
2. Sends control signals to sense the states.
3. Govern timing signals.

Question 12

Interconnection network (1)

Answer 12

1. Allows information exchange.

Question 13

Processor (1)

Answer 13

1. ALU + Control units

Question 14

Information handled (2)

Answer 14

1. Instructions

2. Data

Question 15

(Machine) Instructions (3)

Answer 15

1. Explicit commands
2. Govern the transfer of information
3. Specify arithmetic and logic operations to perform.

Question 16

Program (1)

Answer 16

1. Set of machine instructions which performs a task.

Question 17

Data (1)

Answer 17

1. Numbers and characters used as operands by the instructions.

Question 18

Encoding of data and instructions (1)

Answer 18

1. Encoded in strings of binary digits (bits)

Question 19

Primary memory (5)

Answer 19

1. Fast memory
2. Composed by cells which store 1 bit each.
3. Cells handled in groups called words.
4. Number of bits per word is referred as word length
5. Each word has a distinct address.
6. Memory access time is the time needed to access one word.
7. Temporary

Question 20

RAM (2)

Answer 20

1. Primary memory

2. Any location can be accessed in short and fixed amount of time.

Question 21

Cache (4)

Answer 21

1. Smaller RAM memory (Primary)
2. Hold sections of program and associated data which is currently executed.
3. Contained on same chip of processor.
4. At start of program the cache is empty.

Question 22

Secondary storage ()

Answer 22

1. Permanent
2. Used for large amounts of data
3. Access times are longer

Question 23

ALU (2)

Answer 23

1. performs operations on operands

2. Results can be stored or used immediately by the processor

Question 24

Registers (2)

Answer 24

1. High speed storage in the processor.

2. Each register keeps 1 word

Question 25

Instruction Register (1)

Answer 25

1. Holds instruction which is currently executed.

Question 26

Program Counter (1)

Answer 26

1. Contains memory address of next instruction to be fetched and executed.

Question 27

Processor memory interface ()

Answer 27

1. Manages transfer of data between main memory and processor.

Question 28

Operating steps ()

Answer 28

1. Program has to be in main memory
2. PC is set to point at the first instruction
   3.