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computing > systems architecture > Flashcards

systems architecture Flashcards

1
Q

what is a computer

A

an electronic device which takes an input, processes data and delivers an output

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2
Q

what is a computer program

A

a set of instructions for the computer to follow

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3
Q

where is the computer program stored

A

in the memory

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4
Q

what does the CPU do

A

carries out instructions from the memory

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5
Q

what happens during ‘fetch’

A

in the fetch part of the cycle the CPU fetches the next instruction from the computers main memory (RAM) and brings it back to the CPU

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6
Q

what happens during ‘decode’

A

in the decode stage of the cycle the CPU insects the instruction and breaks it down to work out what it needs to do

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7
Q

what happens during ‘execute’

A

during the execute stage of the cycle the CPU carries out the instruction, this could cover many things like:

  • going back to main memory and grabbing some data
  • performing a calculation
  • storing information back into main memory
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8
Q

how often does this FDE cycle happen on a modern processor

A

3 billion cycles per second (3Ghz)

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9
Q

what is clock speed and what is it measured in

A

clock speed is how many times the CPU carries out the FDE cycle per second and its measured in hertz (Hz)

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10
Q

what does the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) do

A

it is responsible for carrying out arithmetic calculations and making logical decisions

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11
Q

what does the Control Unit (CU) do

A

the brains of the CPU, it sends signals to controls how data moves around the CPU and coordinates the CPU’s operations

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12
Q

what is the cache

A

a small amount of very fast memory which is typically located close to the CPU or even inside it, it provides fast access to frequently used instructions and data

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13
Q

what are registers

A

tiny, super fast pieces of memory inside the CPU each with they’re own specific purpose

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14
Q

what are the 4 registers that we need to know about

A
  • accumulator
  • program counter (PC)
  • memory address register (MAR)
  • memory data register (MDR)
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15
Q

what components does the CPU consist of (name 4)

A
  • ALU
  • control unit
  • cache
  • registers
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16
Q

what is a fixed program computer

A

a computer that only has one purpose and cannot do any other others, to change its program would require rewiring or redesigning the machine

17
Q

what is a stored program computer

A

a computer that has changeable programs

18
Q

what did John von Neumann do

A

he described the first design for modern computers that had stored programs, this went on to be called Von Neumann architecture

19
Q

what are the key elements of Von Neumann architecture (name 5)

A
  • data and instructions are both stored as binary digits
  • data and instructions are both stored in primary memory
  • instructions are fetched one at a time and in order
  • the processor has to decode and execute an instruction before fetching another one
  • the cycle continues until no more instructions are available
20
Q

what does the program counter do

A

hold the address of the next instruction to be executed in memory

21
Q

what does the MAR do

A

hold the address of where data is to be fetched or stored

22
Q

what does the MDR do

A

holds the data fetched from, or to be written to memory

23
Q

what does the accumulator do

A

holds the results of calculations done by the ALU

24
Q

describe the FDE cycle in detail, including registers

A
  • the PC is checked as it holds the address of the next instruction
  • this address is then used by the MAR to fetch the instruction needed
  • the instruction is then bought back to the MDR
  • the address in the program counter is then incremented to point at the next instruction
  • once the instruction is in the CPU, the CU decodes it to see what has to be done
  • now that we know what do to the instruction can be executed
25
Q

during the execute stage of the cycle, what can the CPU do, give 3 examples

A
  • it could be asked to head back to the main memory and fetch some data to add to the accumulator
  • it could be asked to jump to another instruction
  • it could be asked to write data held in the accumulator back into main memory
26
Q

what is hardware

A

hardware is the physical components of the computer such as the CPU and hard disk

27
Q

what is software

A

the programs that run on a computer

28
Q

what are buses

A

a high-speed internal connection used to send control signals and data between the processor and other components

29
Q

what are the 3 types of buses

A
  • address bus which carries memory address from the processor to other components
  • data bus which carries the actual data between the processor and other components
  • control bus - carries control signal from the processor to other components
30
Q

what factors affect the performance of the CPU

A
  • clock speed
  • cache size
  • number of cores.
31
Q

how does clock speed affect the performance of the CPU

A

the greater the clock speed, the more FDE cycles performed per second which means the CPU runs faster

32
Q

how does cache affect the performance of the CPU

A

it’s much quicker to get data from cache than it is from main memory (RAM), so the more data that can be stored in the cache, the faster the performance of the CPU

33
Q

what is a core

A

a complete copy of the CPU each with its own set of registers

34
Q

how does the number of cores affect the performance of the CPU

A

it means the CPU has more power to run multiple programs at the same time

35
Q

why doesn’t doubling the number of cores lead to a doubling of the speed and efficiency of the processor?

A

cores have to communicate with each other which takes time and many programs are not designed to make use of multiple cores

36
Q

what is an embedded system

A

a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical and computer system

37
Q

what is an example of an embedded system

A
  • digital watches
  • MP3 players
  • traffic lights.
  • digital clocks
  • dishwashers
38
Q

what are the properties of embedded systems

A
  • low power consumption
  • small size
  • rugged operating systems
  • low per-unit cost

computing (7 decks)

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