system architecture Flashcards
central processing unit
process data and instruction by repeating the fetch execute cycle
control unit
sends control signals to direct the operation of the CPU.
it also decodes instructions as a part of the F-E cycle
Arithmetic logical unit
it performs the logical calculation
cache memory
used to temporarily store data that is frequently accessed.
von Neuman architecture
describes a system where the cpu runs programs stored in memory. program consist of instructions and data which are stored in memory addresses.
program counter
tracks the RAM address of the next instruction to be fetched
memory address register
tracks the RAM address of the instruction that is being fetched
memory data register
stores the data/instruction that has been transferred from RAM to the CPU
accumulator
stores the result of mathematical or logical calculations
fetch instruction
- copy memory address from the program counter to the MAR.
- copy the instruction stored in the MAR address to the MDR.
- increment(increase) the program counter to point to the address of the next instruction, ready for the next cycle.
decode instruction
the instruction in the MDR is decoded by the CU. the CU may then prepare for the next step e.g. by loading values into the MAR or MDR.
execute instruction
the instruction is performed. this could be: load data from memory, write data to memory, do a calculation or logic operation, change the address in the PC, or halt the program.
clock speed
the measure of how quickly a CPU can process instructions.
the faster the clock speed, the more the computer can perform the FDE cycle each second.
NO. of cores
a complete set if CPU components(Control unit, ALU and registers.) each core is able to perform its own FDE cycle.
embedded systems
a computer system built into a larger machine. it performs a specific pre-programmed task which is stored in ROM.
