[Semester 1] Microarchitecture

Question 1

Von Neumann Architecture

Answer 1

Instructions and data are stored together: http://computerscience.gcse.guru/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Von-Neumann-Architecture-Diagram.jpg

Question 2

Buses

Answer 2

Address/data lines which transfers data around the CPU

Question 3

True or false: More bits = more buses

Answer 3

True! The number of buses is equal to the number of bits.

Question 4

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Answer 4

Stores location where data is to be read/written

Question 5

Memory Data Register (MDR)

Answer 5

Reads and stores data from the address stored in the MAR

Question 6

Program Counter

Answer 6

Stores address for next instruction

Question 7

Memory Buffer Register (MBR)

Answer 7

Reads and stores the next instruction

Question 8

Control Store

Answer 8

Holds microprograms and selects control signals

Question 9

True or false: The control store can be read and written to

Answer 9

False! It can’t be read or written to; it’s basically its own CPU.

Question 10

Microinstruction Register (MIR)

Answer 10

Stores bits for an instruction

Question 11

SOURCE

Answer 11

The starting register in a microinstruction

Question 12

H

Answer 12

The current register in a microinstruction

Question 13

DEST

Answer 13

The target register in a microinstruction

Question 14

Control Unit

Answer 14

Directs instructions to the rest of the processor

Question 15

Accumulator

Answer 15

Stores results of arithmetic operations