Computer architecture

What the syllabus asks of you

• (a) Understand the role of the central • The CPU processes instructions and data that processing unit (CPU) in a computer are input into the computer so that the result can be output (b) Understand what is meant by a • A microprocessor is a type of integrated circuit microprocessor on a single chip
• (a) Understand the purpose of the • Including: components in a CPU, in a computer that – units: arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control has a Von Neumann architecture unit (CU) – registers: program counter (PC), memory address register (MAR), memory data register (MDR), current instruction register (CIR) and accumulator (ACC) – buses: address bus, data bus and control bus (b) Describe the process of the • How instructions and data are fetched from fetch–decode–execute (FDE) cycle, random access memory (RAM) into the CPU, including the role of each component in the how they are processed using each component process and how they are then executed • Storing data and addresses into specific registers • Using buses to transmit data, addresses and signals • Using units to fetch, decode and execute data and instructions
• Understand what is meant by a core, cache • The number of cores, size of the cache and and clock in a CPU and explain how they can speed of the clock can affect the performance affect the performance of a CPU of a CPU
• Understand the purpose and use of an • An instruction set is a list of all the commands instruction set for a CPU that can be processed by a CPU, and the commands are machine code
• Describe the purpose and characteristics of • An embedded system is used to perform a an embedded system and identify devices in dedicated functions. For example in, domestic which they are commonly used appliances, cars, security systems, lighting systems or vending machines. This is different to a general purpose computer that is used to perform many different functions. For example in, a personal computer (PC) or a laptop