1.1.2-3 System Architecture

Question 1

What is the fetch-decode-execute cycle?

Answer 1

1.Fetches instructions
2.Decodes them
3.Carries out the the instructions

Question 2

Fetch

Answer 2

Processor fetches the instructions from memory and uses the program counter to keep track of where it is

Question 3

Decode

Answer 3

Once the instruction is loaded, the CPU needs to know what it means, so the instruction is decoded

Question 4

Execute

Answer 4

The instruction is then carried out (calculations or transfer data)

Question 5

Clock speed

Answer 5

Rate at which instructions are processed by CPU (3GHz = Billion cycles per second)

Question 6

Cache size

Answer 6

Allows temporarily stored data to be accessed very quickly.

Question 7

What is L1 cache?

Answer 7

Used to store very frequently used data (small but fast)

Question 8

What is L2 cache?

Answer 8

Slower and further away (still more efficient that main memory)

Question 9

Why does the number of cores matter?

Answer 9

Each core can carry out separate tasks simultaneously.

Question 10

What are the names of cores?

Answer 10

2 cores = dual core
4 cores = quadcore
6 cores = hexacore
8 cores = octacore

Question 11

What is an embedded system?

Answer 11

Computer system programmed to a specific task within a larger device.

Question 12

Examples of an embedded system?

Answer 12

Smartphone
Dishwasher
Navigation system
Micorwave

Question 13

What are the characters of an embedded system?

Answer 13

Low power requirements
Low maintenance
Difficult to repair or replace