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Computing > Systems Architecture, Memory, Storage > Flashcards

Systems Architecture, Memory, Storage Flashcards

1
Q

Purpose of the CPU

A

The Central Processing Unit is the hardware that executes program and manages the rest of the hardware

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2
Q

What does CPU stand for

A

Central Processing Unit

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3
Q

Von Nuemann architecture

A

The idea of holding programs in memory, and moving data between the data unit and the processor

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4
Q

Components of the CPU

A

Main memory, the processor and the cache memory

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5
Q

Components of the processor

A

The CU, the ALU, the accumulator and registers

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6
Q

What does CU stand for

A

Control Unit

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7
Q

What does ALU stand for

A

Arithmetic Logic Unit

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8
Q

Accumulators

A

Special purpose very fast memory locations in which all operations are carried out

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9
Q

Address bus

A

Carries addresses from the processor to memory and input/output devices

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10
Q

Data bus

A

Sends data between the processor, memory and input/output devices

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11
Q

Control bus

A

Carries signals to coordinate all the computer activities

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12
Q

Control Unit

A
  • Controls the execution of instructions in the correct sequence
  • Decodes instructions
  • Regulates and controls processor timing using regular pulses from the system clock
  • Sends and receives control signals to and from other devices within the computer
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13
Q

Arithmetic Logic Unit

A
  • Performs logical, shift and arithmetic operations
  • Logical operations: include AND, OR and NOT
  • Shift operations: the bits in a computer word can be shifted left or right by a certain number of places
  • Arithmetic operations: include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
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14
Q

Special purpose registers

A
  • Memory Address Register (MAR)
  • Memory Data Register (MDR)
  • Program Counter (PC)
  • Current Instruction Register (CIR)
  • Accumulator
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15
Q

Memory Address Register

A

Holds the address of the instruction/piece of data to be fetched/stored

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16
Q

Memory Data Register

A

Temporarily holds the data or instruction when it is fetched from memory

17
Q

Program Counter

A

Holds the memory address of the next instruction to be executed

18
Q

Current Instruction Register

A

Holds the current instruction to be executed, which has been fetched from memory and is temporarily held in the MDR before being copied to the CIR

19
Q

Fetch (the fetch-execute cycle)

A
  • The address of the next instruction to be executed is copied from the PC to the MAR
  • The PC is incremented
  • The instruction held in the location of the address is copied to the MDR
  • The contents of the MDR are copied to the CIR
20
Q

Decode (the fetch-execute cycle)

A

The CU decodes the instruction in the CIR

21
Q

Execute (the fetch-execute cycle)

A

The instruction is executed

22
Q

Factors affecting CPU performance

A
  • Clock speed

- Type and size of memory

23
Q

Clock speed

A

The number of electrical cycles per second, or the rate at which the electrical current changes in the circuits, measured in hertz/gigahertz

24
Q

Caches

A

High-speed memory, which increases the speed of the CPU by holding frequently used data or instructions

25
Q

Embedded systems

A

An embedded system is a computer system with a dedicated function within a larger system

26
Q

What does RAM stand for

A

Random Access Memory

27
Q

Function of RAM

A

Acts as temporary storage for programs and data while the program is being executed

28
Q

Virtual Memory

A

Memory from the hard disk drive which is configured to operate like main memory

29
Q

What does ROM stand for

A

Read-Only Memory

30
Q

Function of ROM

A

To store the bootstrap loader

31
Q

What is the bootstrap loader

A

A small program which loads the operating system

32
Q

Types of secondary storage

A

Magnetic, flash, optical and cloud

33
Q

Magnetic storage

A
  • Read with a moving head inside the disk drive
  • Moving parts so are slow to read from or write to
  • Vulnerable to magnetic fields
  • Can be internal or portable
  • Have huge capacity for relatively low cost
34
Q

Solid state drive(SSD)

A
  • Flash memory
  • Reliable and durable(have no moving parts)
  • Relatively light
  • Faster access times than HDD(data can be accessed instantaneously
  • Low power consumption
  • Run cooler than HDDs
  • Thin due to no moving parts
  • Much more expensive than HDDs
35
Q

Optical devices

A
  • 3 formats(CD-R, CD-ROM, CD-RW)
  • Makes pits and lands in the disk
  • Pits and lands are read with a laser
  • Can be damaged by sunlight
36
Q

Advantages of cloud storage

A
  • Data can be accessed from anywhere
  • Data can be easily shared between locations
  • Backup is not an issue(responsibility of the provider)
37
Q

Disadvantages of cloud storage

A
  • Requires an internet connection

- Security is a concern

Computing (4 decks)

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