Chapter 3 - Types of Processor (1.1)

Question 1

Where must a program be so that it can be executed?

Answer 1

Main memory

Question 2

What is the Von Neumann Architecture?

Answer 2

One control unit, ALU, registers, and memory unit with shared memory. Same data bus transfers both data and instructions and single address bus used to transfer address of data and instructions

Question 3

Give advantages of the Von Neumann Architecture. (3)

Answer 3

1. Less physical space required than Harvard
2. Handing one memory block is simpler and easier
3. Cheaper than Harvard

Question 4

Give disadvantages of the Von Neumann Architecture. (3)

Answer 4

1. Memory leaks could occur as data and instructions are in the same memory block, causing the computer to crash
2. CPU is faster than the data bus so the CPU is often idle
3. Data and instructions share the same memory block but the rate at which to get these is different

Question 5

What happens in the Harvard Architecture?

Answer 5

separate memories for instructions and data which don’t have to be the same size

Question 6

Give advantages of the Harvard Architecture. (3)

Answer 6

1. Fast and efficient data access as data and instructions are in separate memory blocks
2. Better performance than VN
3. More secure than VN as data and instructions are in separate memory blocks

Question 7

Give disadvantages of the Harvard Architecture. (3)

Answer 7

1. More physical space required
2. Having separate blocks is complex and hard
3. More expensive

Question 8

where is the Harvard Architecture most commonly used?

Answer 8

embedded systems

Question 9

What is an embedded system?

Answer 9

a computer that is part of a larger system

Question 10

Give examples of an embedded system. (9)

Answer 10

1. Heating systems
2. Digital watches
3. Calculators
4. Washing machines
5. Tumble-dryers
6. GPS systems
7. Fitness trackers
8. Dishwashers
9. TVs

Question 11

What is a Contemporary Processor Architecture?

Answer 11

architecture that has incorporated aspects of both Von Neumann and Harvard Architectures

Question 12

How is Von Neumann used in a Contemporary Processor?

Answer 12

Works with data and instructions in main memory

Question 13

How is Harvard used in a Contemporary Processor?

Answer 13

Used when working with cache

Question 14

What is a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)?

Answer 14

Small instruction set that takes 1 line of machine code which is completed in 1 clock cycle

Question 15

Give advantages of RISC. (2)

Answer 15

1. Pipelining is possible as each instruction takes 1 clock cycle
2. Consumes less power than CISC

Question 16

Give disadvantages of RISC. (2)

Answer 16

1. Compiler has more work to do to translate the code to machine code
2. More RAM is required to store the code as there’s more code written

Question 17

What is a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)?

Answer 17

A large instruction set that completes tasks in as few lines of assembly code as possible

Question 18

Give advantages of CISC. (2)

Answer 18

1. Compiler has less work to do to translate the code to machine code
2. Less RAM is required to store the code as there’s less code needed

Question 19

Give disadvantages of CISC. (2)

Answer 19

1. Many specialised instructions were made even though most aren’t used
2. Pipelining isn’t possible as instructions can take more than 1 clock cycle

Question 20

What is a co-processor system?

Answer 20

A secondary processor used to supplement the functions of the primary processor (CPU), generally carries out only a limited range of functions

Question 21

What is a multi-core system?

Answer 21

a CPU that distributes workload across multiple CPU cores, resulting in higher performance

Question 22

What is a parallel system?

Answer 22

a CPU that completes tasks with a single core by using threading

Question 23

Do multi-core systems or parallel systems perform better in large projects?

Answer 23

multi-core systems

Question 24

What is a GPU?

Answer 24

A co-processor device that has lots of independent processors working in parallel, making it effective at completing secondary tasks