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Basic Computer Structure Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 3 blocks that every computer has?

A
  1. CPU (instructions and execution)
  2. Memory (Stores instruction and data for CPU)
  3. Input/Output ports
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2
Q

What are the 3 busses?

A
  1. Address Bus
  2. Data Bus
  3. Control Bus
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3
Q

What is a bus in computer architecture?

A

A bus is a series of parallel wires used for communication by the microprocessor.

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4
Q

What are the three types of buses used by a microprocessor?

A

The three types of buses are the Address bus, Data bus, and Control bus.

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5
Q

What is the function of the Address bus?

A

The Address bus is a unidirectional bus from the CPU that sends out a unique address code to memory or I/O ports.

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6
Q

What is the function of the Data bus?

A

The Data bus is a bidirectional bus that transfers data or instructions into the CPU and sends out the result of operations.

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7
Q

How many bits do modern computers have for data lines?

A

Modern computers have 64-bit data lines.

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8
Q

What is the function of the Control bus?

A

The Control bus carries signals required to coordinate CPU operations and communicate with external devices.

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9
Q

What does the Control bus do for slower devices?

A

The Control bus inserts wait states so slower devices can access the CPU without causing contention.

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10
Q

What additional function does the Control bus serve?

A

The Control bus also carries clock lines for synchronization.

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11
Q

Explain Von Neumann architecture

A

Processor uses two clock cycles

In the 1st, CPU gets instructions from memory and decodes it

In the 2nd, CPU gets required data from memory

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12
Q

Pros and Cons of Van Neumann

A

Pros

  1. Makes computer cheaper
  2. Data and instructions are accessed in the same way

Con

  1. One bus which we call a bottleneck
  2. Error in programme can cause a crash
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13
Q

Explain Harvard architecture

A

Programme and data are stored in 2 separate places, unlike Von Neumann architecture

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14
Q

Pros and Cons of Harvard Architecture

A

Pros

  1. Two memories with 2 busses allowing faster execution
  2. Programs cannot rewrite itself (and crash)

Cons

  1. More expensive
  2. Takes more time to develop Control Unit
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15
Q

What are the 6 components of the internal structure?

A

ALU

Instruction Decoder

Register Array

Control Unit

Clock

Registers

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16
Q

Function of the ALU

A

ALU performs arithmetic operations, addition subtraction etc. and logic operations AND, OR etc.

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17
Q

Function of Instruction Decoder

A

Decodes binary instruction and tells ALU what to perform

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18
Q

Function of Register Array

A

Data and memory are stored here during the execution of a programme

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19
Q

Function of Control Unit

A

Processes decoded instructions and timing signals for getting data in and out of microprocessor

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20
Q

Function of Clock

A

Generates time signal needed for all operations

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21
Q

Function of registers

A

Used for temporary storage of binary numbers, consists of FFs

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22
Q

What is the function of the Accumulator?

A

Stores intermediate results from the ALU

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23
Q

Function of STATUS register?

A

It conveys information as to the status of the microprocessor.

It has flags that represent different parts like addition or subtraction which change depending on what stage it is at

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24
Q

What is EFLAGS?

A

AKA Status Register

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25
The EFLAGS or Status register has flags 0,2,4,6,7 and 11 to show arithmetic and logic operations. What are the other flags? COPSZ
C = Carry = Holds the carry after an addition or subtraction O = Overflow = Set for arithmetic instructions P = Parity = 0 for odd number of 1s and 1 for even S = Sign = 1 if the sign of the result is negative Z = Zero = 1 if result of arithmetic or logic operations is 0
26
What is an instruction register/decoder?
Part of the CPU’s control unit that stores instructions while it’s being executed/decoded
27
The CPU’s control unit has a simple and advanced processor. What are the differences between these 2 processors?
A simple processor stores the instructions while to be decoded in the one instruction register An advanced processor has multiple instruction registers where each IR does a part of the decoding . This allows multiple instructions to be done at the same time!
28
What is a Pipeline?
A sequence of steps that must be followed in order.
29
Pros and Cons of a pipeline?
Pros 1. Increase throughput Cons 1. Can increase time taken to get from start to finish 2. Cannot be used in real time systems like ABS (anti lock brakes) in aircraft
30
What is the basic 5 stage pipeline? (RISC)
1. Fetch Instruction 2. Decode the instructions 3. Execute the instruction 4. Access the memory 5. Register write back
31
What is the Control Generator for?
It directs the operation of the processor and provides timing signals
32
Where is the Control Generator found?
In the CPU
33
What does the Control Generator say?
It tells the memory, ALU and I/O devices how to respond to programmed instructions
34
The Control unit contains CPUs?
Yes
35
What is the main function of the Control Unit?
It fetches instructions from the CPUs memory and enables or disables the appropriate CPUs to carry out the instruction
36
What is the Register Stack?
This contains a block of registers that the computer can use as required.
37
What is the function of the Register Selector?
Logic circuit that switches between the different registers within the stack.
38
What do General Purpose registers do?
These are registers that are available to store any transient data required by the programme.
39
How do the number of registers affect CPU speed?
In general, the more registers, the faster the CPU.
40
What is the Program Counter (Instruction Pointer)?
Lets the CPU know where in the program sequence it currently is.
41
What does the Program Counter keep track of?
Keeps track of the memory location of the next instruction in a program.
42
What happens to the Instruction Pointer after an instruction is fetched?
The IP increments by one to point to the next instruction.
43
What capability does the modern Program Counter have?
Has branch prediction capability.
44
What is the Memory Address Register (MAR)?
Either stores the memory address from which the data will be fetched or the address to which the data will be sent.
45
What is the difference between a Micro processor and Micro controller
Microprocessors can do many things. Their memory and interface are kept separate A micro controller cannot have their memory and interface kept separate, they must be in the same chip. Used in control systems
46
What are the 5 components of the memory?
Cache RAM (random access memory) HDD (Hard Disk Drive) ROM (Read Only Memory) External storage
47
What 3 parts of the memory directly affect the speed of the computer out of: HDD, Cache, RAM, ROM, External storage
Cache RAM HDD
48
What is an issue with memory?
As clock frequencies rises, current leak increases leading to excessive power consumption
49
What is Cache memory?
A small RAM that stores frequently used data It can be accessed faster than the main RAM
50
What is RAM?
Temporarily stores binary data during processing
51
What is HDD?
Stores high amounts of data and is non volatile
52
What is ROM?
Stores permanent system programs like BIOS and is very heard to modify ROM is being replaced with Flash Memory now
53
Which 2 memories are associated with the memory type: Semiconductor
RAM and ROM
54
Where are the types of memory?
Semiconductor, Magnetic, Optical
55
What are the 3 advantages of using MOS in memory technology?
Less leakage current Smaller transistors Simples and easier to make
56
In a flash memory chip, what does. The following mean: See page 127 for diagram A0-A18 (Address lines) DQ0-DQ7 (Data lines) W (Read/Write) E (Chip enable) G (Output Enable)
Address lines: Supply location of data to be written or read Data lines: Data in is information to be stored, data out is means to extract the data Read / write: 0 is write data to chip, 1 is read data from chip
57
58
What are the memory cells made of in SRAM?
In SRAM, the memory cells are made up of flip flops.
59
How long does SRAM retain its value?
As long as there is power supplied to the SRAM cell, it will retain its value indefinitely. ## Footnote If power is removed, the data will be lost.
60
What activates the SRAM cell?
The cell is activated by a HIGH on the select line.
61
How is data written to the SRAM cell?
Data is written to the cell on the Data in line.
62
How is data read from the SRAM cell?
Data is read from the cell on the data out line.
63
What is Mask ROM?
Data is permanently stored at manufacturing.
64
What is PROM?
Programmable ROM; data is electrically stored by user using specialised equipment.
65
What is EPROM?
Erasable PROM; stored data can be erased using UV light (Slow).
66
What is EEPROM?
Electrically erasable PROM (Fast).
67
What is Mask ROM?
Mask ROM is a type of memory that is permanently programmed during manufacture.
68
How does Mask ROM represent data?
Mask ROM uses the presence or absence of a transistor to represent a 1 or a 0.
69
What happens when the row line is taken HIGH in Mask ROM?
All transistors connected to the row turn ON and connect the HIGH to the column.
70
What occurs in the column line when there is no connection in Mask ROM?
The column line remains LOW.

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