Topic 3: Types of processors

Question 1

Describe the Von Neumann architecture

Answer 1

The Von Neumann architechture, is a design of computer system where there essentially three different entities, a processing unit, an i/o unit and an storage unit. The units are connected over buses. The processing unit can be broken down into a coupe of subunits, the ALU, the processing control unit and the program counter.

Question 2

Describe the Harvard architecture

Answer 2

The Harvard architecture is a computerarchitecture with physically separate storage and signal pathways for instructions and data

Question 3

Compare and contrast the Von Neumann and Harvard achitectures

Answer 3

Question 4

What are CISC processors?

Answer 4

CISC stands for Complex Instruction Set Computing processors which has a large instruction set which is used to accomplish tasks in as few lines of assembly language as possible.