Fundamentals of Computer Organisation and Architecture

Question 1

The Processor (CPU)

Answer 1

Executes program instructions to run applications

Question 2

Main Memory

Answer 2

A data store for instructions for the processor that can be directly accessed

Question 3

Read-Only-Memory (ROM)

Answer 3

Non-volatile memory which stores program instructions and frequently used data

Question 4

Random-Access-Memory (RAM)

Answer 4

Volatile memory used to store data currently being processed by the computer

Question 5

Address Bus

Answer 5

Transports memory addresses in a unidirectional path from the processor to the memory location

Question 6

Data Bus

Answer 6

Transports data in a bi-directional path from the processor and main memory

Question 7

Control Bus

Answer 7

Transports control signals from the processor to other components in a unidirectional path

Question 8

Input/Output Controllers

Answer 8

Hardware that controls the communication of data between the processor and external components/devices like the monitor or mouse

Question 9

Harvard Architecture

Answer 9

The processor will use two separate memory locations, one for the instructions and the other for the data

Question 10

Von Neumann

Answer 10

The instructions and data are stored in the same memory which the processor can access

Question 11

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Answer 11

Part of the CPU where all arithmetic and logic operations are performed

Question 12

Control Unit (CU)

Answer 12

Controls the components of the CPU

Question 13

Registers

Answer 13

Small, temporary storage locations that have high read/write speeds

Question 14

Program Counter (PC)

Answer 14

Register which holds the memory address of the next instruction to be executed in the fetch-decode-execute cycle

Question 15

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Answer 15

Holds the address of the instruction that is going to be written/read from

Question 16

Current Instruction Register (CIR)

Answer 16

Holds the instruction (data) that is currently being executed by the processor

Question 17

Memory Buffer Register (MBR)

Answer 17

Hold the contents (data) of the memory location that is to be read from or that is to be stored

Question 18

Clock

Answer 18

Part of the CPU which represents each fetch-decode-execute cycle that is performed and synchronises the components of the CPU and rest of the computer

Question 19

Core

Answer 19

Represents how many fetch-decode-execute cycles that can be performed simultaneously

Question 20

Cache Memory

Answer 20

Small amount of very fast memory inside the CPU

Question 21

Opcode

Answer 21

Specifies the operation to carry out

Question 22

Operand

Answer 22

The data on which the operation should be performed on

Question 23

Addressing Modes (2 types)

Answer 23

Immediate Addressing - Value specified in the operand is treated as the actual value to be used

Direct Addressing - Value specified in the operand signifies the memory location which the value should be fetched from

Question 24

What is meant by the term stored program concept

Answer 24

Instructions stored in main memory
Program run by fetching instructions in sequence
Program can be replaced by loading another program into memory
Contents of a main memory location can be interpreted as either an instruction or data

Question 25

Principles of operation of a solid state drive (SSD)

Answer 25

Data is stored electronically Data is stored in floating gate transistors Prescence of trapped electrons return 0, absence is 1 NAND memory is used Data is organised into blocks Whole block of data must be written, not individual values A block must be erased before it can be overwritten

Question 26

Principles of operation of a laser printer

Answer 26

Bitmap image built in memory from page description Negative charge applied to drum Laser beam directed at drum Mirror is used to direct laser Where laser strikes, drum charge is neutralised Negative charge applied to toner Toner sticks to where laser struck Paper passed over drum, toner is transferred to it Positively charged transfer roller assists transfer of toner from drum to paper Heater fuses toner unto paper

Question 27

Advantages of RFID tags over Barcode Labels

Answer 27

RFID tags can be read from a further distance They can be read at a faster rate Are less easily damaged Don't have to spend time added barcodes to products

Question 28

Advantages of Barcode Labels over RFID Tags

Answer 28

Barcodes are cheaper Less electronic waste Not susceptible to radio interference

Question 29

Barcode Scanners

Answer 29

They send out lasers which can then detect the light and dark areas of the barcode, representing binary values as a result

Question 30

Digital Camera

Answer 30

Has a CCD sensor which captures millions of points of light using sensors arranged in a grid. Each sensor measures the intensity of the light and records it as an electronic value. This is performed through a red, blue and green Bayer mosaic filter so they can get 3 separate readings to reproduce the colour

Question 31

RFID Tag (Active and Passive)

Answer 31

Consists of a tiny radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter Active - Have a power supply that they use in order to transmit signal at a greater distance Passive - Don't have a power supply and are powered by the radio waves sent out by reader when they are close