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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

You should be able to identify memory components of a CPU

SUCCESS CRITERIA

Success Criteria:

  • Identify the different buses used for data to be moved. 

  • Define the different registers used within the CPU. 

1.1 Systems Architecture

Learners should have studied the following:

  • the purpose of the CPU

  • Von Neumann architecture:

    • MAR (Memory Address Register)

    • MDR (Memory Data Register)

    • Program Counter

    • Accumulator

  • common CPU components and their function

    • ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) 

    • CU (Control Unit)

    • Cache

  • the function of the CPU as fetch and execute instructions stored in memory

  • how common characteristics of CPUs affect their performance

    • clock speed

    • cache size

    • number of cores

  • embedded systems:

    • purpose of embedded systems

    • examples of embedded sytems.

EXAM TIP

On small CPUs, the data bus and address bus are sometimes combined into one bus. This is called multiplexing.

EXAM TIP

Register: The section of high speed memory within the CPU that stores data to be processed.

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HOME LEARNING

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SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE - LESSON 3

STARTER​

Unscrammble the following:

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TATD

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MRYEMO

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STRUINCTNIOS

KEYWORDS

  • Processor

  • MHz

  • GHz

  • Hertz

  • Instruction

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  • Execute

  • Embedded System

  • Clock Speed

  • Cache

  • Core

INPUT​

Recap:

•The processor is “the brains of a Computer System”

•It Processes Data

•Carries out instructions (Executes Them)

•Processors have a Clock speed measured in Hertz

•Number of Cycles Per Second

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The speed of the processor is measured in Hertz (Hz). Typical Speeds have spanned across MHz and GHz. 1GHz Processor executes 1 Billion Instructions per second, 2GHz Processor executes 2 Billion Instructions Per Second and so on. 

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Memory Data Register

  • In order for the CPU to fetch an instruction from main memory (RAM), the instruction is temporarily stored in a special register called the Memory Data Register (MDR).

  • Data (unlike instructions) goes both ways. Data can be fetched from main memory and brought to the CPU to be processed. After processing, it may be sent back to RAM to be stored (short term). All data must pass through the MDR whether it is on its way to the CPU or RAM.

  • All data and instructions pass via the data bus.

Memory Address Register

  • Every instruction or data in main memory (RAM) is located at a specific location. This location has an unique address, just like a house has its own unique address.

  • The address of the data or instruction being accessed is temporarily stored in the Memory Address Register.

  • This address is passed to RAM by means of the address bus.

taSK 1

You are now going to complete an interim assessment based on all that we have discussed and learnt so far. 

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This will help your teacher, identify your areas of strengths and weaknesses. It will also allow us to identify any interventions we could put in place for you. (20 MINUTES) 

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TEACHERS: Please load the socrative  assessment (CPU Topic Assessment)

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