Chapter 1

Question 1

Define

Computer Architecture

Answer 1

Attributes of a system visible to the programmer and have a direct impact on logical execution of a program.

I/O mechanisms

Architectural decision whether comp will have multiply instruction

Question 2

Define

Computer organization

Answer 2

The operational units and their interconnections that realize the architectural specifications. Includes hardware details transparent to programmer.

Control signals, interfaces between computer and peripherals , memory technology used. Decides how instructions will be implemented

Question 3

List

4 basic functions computer can perform

Answer 3

Data processing
Data storage
Data movement
Control

Question 4

List

4 main structural components of computer

Answer 4

CPU
Main memory
I/O
System interconnection

Question 5

List

Major structural components of CPU

Answer 5

Control Unit
Arithmetic and logic unit
Registers
CPU Interconnection

Question 6

Definition of Registers

Answer 6

Provides storage internal to the CPU

Question 7

List

Multicore Computer Structure

Answer 7

CPU
Core
Processor

Question 8

Definition of Core

Answer 8

An individual processing unit on a processor chip; may be equivalent in functionality to CPU on a single-CPU system.

Question 9

Definition of Processor

Answer 9

A physical piece of silicon containing one or more cores. Is the computer component that interprets and executes instructions

Question 10

Define

Cache memory

Answer 10

Multiple layers of memory between the processor and main memory. Greater performance increase if use multiple levels, with level 1 closest to the core and level (n) furthest.

Question 11

Define

Memory Buffer Register (MBR)

Answer 11

Contains a word to be stored in memory or sent to I/O unit, or is used to receive a word from memory or I/O.

Question 12

Define

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Answer 12

Specifies the address in memory of the word to be written from or read into the MBR.

Question 13

Definition of Word

Answer 13

A unit of data of a defined bit length that can be addressed and moved between storage and the computer processor.

Question 14

Define

Instruction Register (IR)

Answer 14

Contains the 8-bit opcode instruction bit being executed.

Question 15

Define

Instruction Buffer Register (IBR)

Answer 15

Employed to temporarily hold the right-hand instruction from a word in memory.

Question 16

Definition

Program Counter (PC)

Answer 16

Contains the address of the next instruction pair to be fetched from memory.

Question 17

Define

Accumulator (AC) and Multiplier Quotient (MQ)

Answer 17

Employed to temporarily hold operands and results of ALU operations.

Question 18

Gate

Answer 18

Device that implements a single boolean logic function.

Question 19

Memory Cell

Answer 19

Device that can store one bit of data; that is, can be in one stable state at a time.

Question 20

4 basic functions of computer related to gates and memory cells

Answer 20

Data storage provided by memory cells

Data processing provided by gates

Data movement is the paths among components that are used to move data from memory to memory and from memory through gates to memory

Control: the paths can carry control signals

Question 21

Transistors

Answer 21

The fundamental building block of digital circuits, used to construct processors, memory cells, and other digital logic devices

Question 22

Moore’s Law

Answer 22

Number of transistors that can be put on a single chip was doubling every year.

Question 23

Embedded Systems

Answer 23

The use of electronics software within a product.

Question 24

The 2 general approaches for developing an embedded OS

Answer 24

1. Take existing OS and adapt it for the embedded application.
2. Design and implement an OS intended solely for embedded use.

Question 25

# Define Application processors

Answer 25

Defined by processor's ability to execute complex OS's. General-purpose in nature, like the smartphone.

Question 26

# Define Dedicated processors

Answer 26

Dedicated to one or a small number of specific tasks required by host device. Reduced size and cost.

Question 27

Deeply Embedded Systems

Answer 27

Dedicated, single-purpose devices that detect something in the environment, perform a basic level of processing, and do something with the results.

Question 28

ARM

Answer 28

Process architecture evolved from RISC design principles and is used in embedded systems. Advanced RISC Machine.

Question 29

RISC

Answer 29

Reduced Instruction Set Computer

Question 30

# Define ISU (Instruction Sequence Unit) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 30

Determines the sequence in which instructions are executed in superscaler architecture. Tracks register names, out-of-order instruction dependency, and handling of instruction resource dispatch ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 31

# Define IFB (instruction fetch and branch) and ICM (instruction cache and merge) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 31

Contain 128kb instruction cache, branch prediction logic, instruction fetch controls, and buffers. ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 32

# Define IDU (instruction decode unit) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 32

Fed from the IFU buffers, and is responsible for the parsing and decoding of all z/ Architecture operation codes. ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 33

# Define LSU (load-store unit) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 33

Contains 96kb L1 data cache, manages data traffic btwn L2 data cache and the functional execution units. Responsible for handling all types of operand access of all lengths, modes, and formats

Question 34

# Define XU (translation unit) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 34

Translates logical addresses from instructions into physical address in main memory. Also contains a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) used to speed up memory access. ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 35

# Define PC (core pervasive unit) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 35

Used for instrumentation and error collection ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 36

# Define FXU (fixed-point unit) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 36

Executes fixed-point arithmetic operations ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 37

# Define VFU (vector and floating-point units) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 37

Handles binary, hex, and decimal floats and operations performed on them. Also handles vector operations. ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 38

# Define RU (recovery unit) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 38

Keeps a copy of complete state of system that includes all registers, collects hardware fault signals, and manages hardware recovery actions. ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core

Question 39

# Define COP (dedicated co-processor) | Part of internal structure of single core

Answer 39

Responsible for data compression and encryption functions for each core ## Footnote Part of internal structure of single core