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Lesson 3 PDF

The document discusses the basic architecture of general purpose computers. It explains that general purpose computers follow the von Neumann architecture and can run a variety of applications. The hardware consists of components like the CPU, memory, and I/O devices, while software are the programs. The CPU controls the system and performs computations using components like the control unit, ALU, registers, cache, and clock. It fetches and executes instructions from memory to process data, which is input, processed, and output or stored.

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64 views3 pages

Lesson 3 PDF

The document discusses the basic architecture of general purpose computers. It explains that general purpose computers follow the von Neumann architecture and can run a variety of applications. The hardware consists of components like the CPU, memory, and I/O devices, while software are the programs. The CPU controls the system and performs computations using components like the control unit, ALU, registers, cache, and clock. It fetches and executes instructions from memory to process data, which is input, processed, and output or stored.

Uploaded by

charimaine hernandez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

System Integration and Architecture 1 Page |1

Lesson 5

Systems architecture
Von Neumann architecture provides the basis for the majority of the computers we use
today. The fetch-decode-execute cycle describes how a processor functions.

General purpose computers


A general purpose computer is a computer that is designed to be able to carry out many
different tasks. A PC is an example of a general purpose computer. Among other things,
it can be used to:
 access the internet
 browse the world wide web
 use word processing software
 play games
 communicate via email and social media
 design and build web pages
 store and retrieve data
 play videos and music

Each of these tasks is called an application. Any computer that can have many
applications, such as those listed, is a general purpose computer.
Apart from PCs and laptops, the following devices are also classed as general purpose
computers:
 tablets - like PCs, they can run a variety of applications
 smartphones - today's smartphones can also run a variety of applications
 games consoles - as well as games, modern consoles also allow users to watch
videos, play music and browse the internet
 media systems in cars - allow users to navigate, listen to music and connect to a
smartphone

Hardware and software


General purpose computers consist of hardware and software. Hardware is the physical
components of the computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU), hard
disk, monitor, keyboard and mouse. Software is the programs that run on a computer.

The general purpose computer model


All general purpose computers follow the same basic model.
The diagram illustrates the flow of data within a computer. Data is input, processed and
then either output or sent to secondary storage. It is held in primary memory while it is
being processed.

The CPU receives instructions and data from an input or memory. The instructions and
data are processed by the CPU and the results are either sent to an output or
transferred to secondary storage.

Input is from an input device, such as a keyboard, mouse, camera or scanner. Output is
to an output device, such as a monitor, printer or speaker.

Jennifer Roxas-Magbanlac, MIT


System Integration and Architecture 1 Page |2

The purpose of the CPU


The CPU is the most important hardware component in a computer. It has two main
functions:
 to process data and instructions
 to control the rest of the computer system

All programs and data processing are run in the CPU and all hardware components are,
to some extent, controlled by it.

Common CPU components


The central processing unit (CPU) consists of six main components:
 control unit (CU)
 arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
 registers
 cache
 buses
 clock
All components work together to allow processing and system control.

Control unit
The CU provides several functions:
 it fetches, decodes and executes instructions
 it issues control signals that control hardware
 it moves data around the system

Arithmetic logic unit


The ALU has two main functions:
 It performs arithmetic and logical operations (decisions). The ALU is where
calculations are done and where decisions are made.
 It acts as a gateway between primary memory and secondary storage . Data
transferred between them passes through the ALU.

Registers
Registers are small amounts of high-speed memory contained within the CPU. They are
used by the processor to store small amounts of data that are needed during
processing, such as:
 the address of the next instruction to be executed
 the current instruction being decoded
 the results of calculations
Different processors have different numbers of registers for different purposes, but most
have some, or all, of the following:
 program counter
 memory address register (MAR)
 memory data register (MDR)
 current instruction register (CIR)
 accumulator (ACC)

Jennifer Roxas-Magbanlac, MIT


System Integration and Architecture 1 Page |3

Cache
Cache is a small amount of high-speed random access memory (RAM) built directly
within the processor. It is used to temporarily hold data and instructions that the
processor is likely to reuse. This allows for faster processing as the processor does not
have to wait for the data and instructions to be fetched from the RAM.

Clock
The CPU contains a clock which is used to coordinate all of the computer's
components. The clock sends out a regular electrical pulse which synchronises (keeps
in time) all the components.

The frequency of the pulses is known as the clock speed. Clock speed is measured
in hertz. The higher the frequency, the more instructions can be performed in any given
moment of time.

In the 1980s, processors commonly ran at a rate of between 3 megahertz (MHz) to 5


MHz, which is 3 million to 5 million pulses or cycles per second. Today, processors
commonly run at a rate of 3 gigahertz (GHz) to 5 GHz, which is 3 billion to 5 billion
pulses or cycles per second.

Buses
A bus is a high-speed internal connection. Buses are used to send control signals and
data between the processor and other components.
Three types of bus are used:
 Address bus - carries memory addresses from the processor to other components
such as primary memory and input/output devices.
 Data bus - carries the actual data between the processor and other components.
 Control bus - carries control signals from the processor to other components. The
control bus also carries the clock's pulses.

Jennifer Roxas-Magbanlac, MIT

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