Systems Architecture (Revised) Flashcards
What happens at each stage of the fetch decode execute cycle
fetch-instructions are retrieved from main memory
decode-instructions are interpreted
execute-instructions are carried out
What is the function of the ALU?
The function of the ALU is to carry out operations, the three types are logical, shift and arithmetic
it is also a gateway between primary and main memory
list the 3 functions of the control unit
it fetches decodes and executes instructions
it issues control signals for hardware
it moves data around a system
What is cache and what is its function
cache is a small amount of high speed RAM built into the processor, it stores data and instructions that are likely to be reused
What are registers?
small amounts of high speed memory in the CPU
What is the function of the Program Counter?
holds the memory address of the next item to be fetched
What is the function of the accumulator?
hols the data being processed and the results of processing
What is the function of the MAR?
it holds the address of the next instruction/piece of data to be stored
What is the function of the MDR
Holds data or instructions temporarily when it is fetched-or being sent to memory
Where are data and instructions stored in the CPU
In primary memory
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What is the job of the clock
it synchronizes the computers hardware components-it does this by sending out pulses
What are the 3 buses in the CPU
Address bus, Data bus , and Control bus
