Computer Architecture Basics

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the ALU in a processor?

To store a small number of pieces of information

To act as an interface between the processor and the outside world

To operate on one or more numerical values to perform calculations and operations on data (correct)

To coordinate the flow of information around the processor

What is the role of the registers in a processor?

To carry data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals

To store a large number of pieces of information, including program data and instructions

To operate on one or more numerical values to perform calculations and operations on data

To store a small number of pieces of information, commonly the temporary results of calculations (correct)

Which component of the processor acts as an interface between the processor and the outside world?

IO or Peripherals (correct)

Registers

Memory

ALU

What is the primary function of the IO or Peripherals in a processor?

To act as an interface between the processor and the outside world, including long-term storage and user interfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the CPU in a processor?

To coordinate the flow of information around the processor Signup and view all the answers

What component of the processor carries data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals?

IO or Peripherals Signup and view all the answers

What is the module that ALU belongs to in a computer?

Data Path Signup and view all the answers

Which stage in the compilation process performs syntax rules checking and constructs a symbol table and abstract syntax tree?

Syntax Analyzer (parser) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Linker in the compilation process?

Combines partial programs and libraries into a single executable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are NOT part of the compilation process?

Program Execution Signup and view all the answers

Which hardware is active during the Fetch Stage of the instruction cycle?

Program Counter Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are NOT stages in the instruction cycle?

Link Signup and view all the answers

What is the CPU time determined by in the four-component performance formula?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a benchmark in computer performance?

A set of programs that form a typical workload Signup and view all the answers

What can a designer modify to effect propagation delay?

Manufacturing Process Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contribute to propagation delay?

Logic Depth Signup and view all the answers

What is the number of symbols used in the decimal number system?

10 Signup and view all the answers

What indicates an even number in the two's complement representation?

The least significant bit is 0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the binary calculation 00000011 + 00101011 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

00101110 Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal representation of the binary value 00010110?

22 Signup and view all the answers

What is the 8-bit binary representation of the decimal value 35?

00100011 Signup and view all the answers

What is the hexadecimal representation of the binary value 0000101011111100 using 4 hex places?

0x0AFC Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11011100?

-16 Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the binary calculation 00100000 + 00010111 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

00110111 Signup and view all the answers

What is the hexadecimal representation of the decimal value 1152 using 4 hex places?

0x0480 Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal representation of the binary value 00001110?

14 Signup and view all the answers

What is the hexadecimal representation of the instruction divu $s6, $a3?

0x02C7001B Signup and view all the answers

How many address bits are used in the MIPS architecture to access main memory?

32 Signup and view all the answers

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction ori $v0, $s2, 24516, given $s2 = 96?

24548 Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction is used to implement an 'if (a!=b)' decision in assembly?

bne Signup and view all the answers

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction addi $v0, $k0, 10968, given $k0 = 120?

11088 Signup and view all the answers

What is the MIPS assembly implementation of the C code decision if (i==j) k = i+j; else j = j-i; i = i+1?

beq $s0, $s1, Else add $s2, $s0, $s1 j Next Else: sub $s1, $s1, $s0 Next: addi $s0, $s0, 1 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following registers does the 'jal' instruction automatically update?

$ra Signup and view all the answers

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction nor $v0, $a1, $s4, given $a1 = 75 and $s4 = 57?

132 Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction is used to implement a loop statement in assembly?

beq $s0, $s2, Exit add $s0, $s0, $s1 j Next Exit: add $s2, $s0, $s2 Signup and view all the answers

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction xor $v0, $sp, $s6, given $sp = 95 and $s6 = 113?

46 Signup and view all the answers

What is the 2's complement representation of the decimal value -60 using 8 bits?

11000100 Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11110010?

-14 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of little-endian?

The least significant byte of a multi-byte datatype is stored at a lower address than the most significant byte. Signup and view all the answers

What exception will occur if a variable of type unsigned int stores a value of zero and the variable value is decremented?

Underflow Signup and view all the answers

Which register is written to as the instruction `subu $t3, $t4, $t7` is executed?

$t3 Signup and view all the answers

Which register is written to as the instruction `addi $s0, $t5, 16940` is executed?

$s0 Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of reducing the complexity of processor hardware?

Reduced latency of executing each instruction Signup and view all the answers

What can cause a load instruction to stall?

The memory read operation takes too long Signup and view all the answers

Can forwarding alone resolve all hazards in the given code?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is used in static branch prediction?

Hardware designer specification Signup and view all the answers

What is used in 1-bit history table branch prediction?

A history table with a single bit Signup and view all the answers

What must be added to a single-cycle processor to implement a pipelined design?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is typically used for main system memory?

DRAM Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory should be placed close to the CPU in the memory hierarchy?

SRAM Signup and view all the answers

What kind of locality is a level 1 cache focused on supporting?

Temporal Locality Signup and view all the answers

What is the name for an architecture that executes one instruction on many sets of data at a time?

SIMD Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ALU in a processor?

Operates on one or more numerical values to perform calculations and operations on data Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the processor coordinates the flow of information around the processor?

CPU Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the IO or Peripherals in a processor?

Acts as an interface between the processor and the outside world, including long-term storage and user interfaces Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the processor carries data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals?

Registers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Registers in a processor?

Stores a small number of pieces of information, commonly the temporary results of calculations Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the processor contains the ALU and Registers, and the interconnection between them?

CPU Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Linker in the compilation process?

Combines partial programs and libraries into a single executable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following stages is NOT part of the instruction cycle?

Link Signup and view all the answers

What is the CPU time determined by in the four-component performance formula?

Instruction count, CPI, and clock rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the binary calculation 11011011 + 11011010 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

0b 10110101 Signup and view all the answers

What can a designer modify to effect propagation delay?

Transistor size, logic depth, and wire length Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the processor carries data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals?

Datapath Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal representation of the binary value 00110101?

53 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Syntax Analyzer in the compilation process?

Performs syntax rules checking and constructs a symbol table and abstract syntax tree Signup and view all the answers

What is the 8-bit binary representation of the decimal value 6?

0b 00000110 Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the binary calculation 00011100 + 00110000 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

0b 01001100 Signup and view all the answers

What is the hexadecimal representation of the binary value 0000100101110100 using 4 hex places?

0x 0974 Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11011100?

-55 Signup and view all the answers

What is the 2's complement representation of the decimal value -44 using 8 bits?

11010100 Signup and view all the answers

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11000100?

-36 Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of little-endian?

The least significant byte of a multi-byte datatype is stored at a lower address than the most significant byte. Signup and view all the answers

What exception will occur if a variable of type unsigned int stores a value of zero and the variable value is decremented?

Underflow Signup and view all the answers

Which register is written to as the instruction sra $s5, $gp, 22 is executed?

$s5 Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the instruction subu $t1, $v1, $t3?

$t1 = $v1 - $t3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of reducing the complexity of processor hardware?

Increased throughput Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the main system memory?

To hold data temporarily while it is being processed Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is the cheapest?

Disk Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of a pipelined design?

Increased throughput Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of hazard detection and mitigation hardware in a pipelined design?

To detect and mitigate hazards in the pipeline Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a level 1 cache?

To support temporal locality Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using a 1-bit history table branch prediction?

It is faster than a 2-bit history table Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using a 2-bit history table branch prediction?

It is more accurate than a 1-bit history table Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a branch prediction unit?

To predict the outcome of a branch instruction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the instruction fetch stage in the instruction cycle?

To fetch the instruction from memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the hexadecimal representation of the instruction ori $s4, $s0, 3276?

0x36140CCC Signup and view all the answers

How many bytes can theoretically be stored in the main memory of a MIPS architecture?

4GB Signup and view all the answers

What is the value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction addi $v0, $k0, 10968, given $k0 = 120?

11088 Signup and view all the answers

Which instruction is used to implement an 'if (a!=b)' decision in assembly?

bne Signup and view all the answers

What is the value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction xor $v0, $sp, $s6, given $sp = 95 and $s6 = 113?

46 Signup and view all the answers

Which register is automatically updated by the 'jal' instruction?

$ra Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Computer Organization

CPU Components

IO (Peripherals): Acts as an interface between the processor and the outside world, including long-term storage and user interfaces.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): Operates on one or more numerical values to perform calculations and operations on data.
Registers: Stores a small number of pieces of information, commonly the temporary results of calculations.
Control Unit: Coordinates the flow of information around the processor.
Data Path: Carries data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals.

Compilation Process

Lexical Analyzer (lexer): Separates the input source code text into tokens.
Syntax Analyzer (parser): Performs syntax rules checking and constructs a symbol table and abstract syntax tree.
Backend: Performs program analysis and optimization.
Linker: Combines partial programs and libraries into a single executable.

Instruction Cycle

Fetch Stage: The Program Counter is active during this stage.
Execute Stage: The ALU, Registers, and Memory are active during this stage.

Performance Metrics

CPU Time: Determined by Instruction Count, CPI, and Clock Rate.
Benchmark: A set of programs that form a typical workload.

Propagation Delay

Factors Contributing to Propagation Delay: Wire length, Transistor Size, Logic Depth, and Clock Rate.
Ways to Reduce Propagation Delay: Increase clock rate, Improve manufacturing process, Optimize processor organization.

Unsigned and Signed Integers

Unsigned Integers: Represented in binary, with no sign bit.
Signed Integers: Represented in binary, with a sign bit (most significant bit).

Memory Hierarchy

Level 1 Cache (L1): Smallest and fastest cache, closest to the CPU.
Main Memory: Larger and slower than L1 cache.
Disk: Slowest and largest storage.

Cache Memory

Cache Miss: Occurs when the requested data is not in the cache.
Cache Hit: Occurs when the requested data is in the cache.
Cache Replacement Policies: Strategies for replacing cache lines when the cache is full.

Branch Prediction

Static Branch Prediction: Hardware designer specifies to always predict a taken or untaken branch.
1-bit History Table: Stores a single bit, indicating that the branch was previously taken or untaken.

Pipelining

Advantages: Increases throughput, reduces latency.
Disadvantages: Increases complexity, requires more registers.

Cache Performance

Cache Hit Rate: The ratio of cache hits to total memory accesses.
Cache Miss Rate: The ratio of cache misses to total memory accesses.

Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)

MIPS (RISC): A reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture.

MIPS Assembly Instructions

Arithmetic Instructions: add, sub, mult, div, etc.
Logical Instructions: and, or, nor, xor, etc.
Control Flow Instructions: beq, bne, j, jal, etc.### Computer Organization and Architecture

Instruction Cycle

The instruction cycle consists of Fetch, Decode, Execute, Memory access, and Write back stages
The Fetch stage retrieves an instruction from memory
The Decode stage decodes the instruction and generates control signals
The Execute stage performs the required operation
The Memory access stage accesses the memory if required
The Write back stage writes back the results to the register file

Branch Prediction

Branch prediction is used to predict the outcome of a branch instruction
There are two types of branch prediction: static and dynamic
Static branch prediction always predicts the same outcome for a branch instruction
Dynamic branch prediction uses a branch prediction table to store the outcomes of previous branch instructions
The table is updated based on the actual outcome of the branch instruction

Pipelining

Pipelining is a technique to increase the performance of a processor
It breaks down the instruction cycle into a series of stages
Each stage performs a specific function
The stages are connected in a pipeline fashion
The processor can process multiple instructions simultaneously, increasing throughput

Cache Memory

Cache memory is a small, fast memory that stores frequently accessed data
It acts as a buffer between the main memory and the processor
It reduces the access time to main memory
Cache memory is divided into levels (L1, L2, L3, etc.)
Each level has a smaller size and faster access time than the previous level

Memory Hierarchy

The memory hierarchy consists of registers, cache, main memory, and secondary storage
Each level has a larger size and slower access time than the previous level
The processor accesses data from the lowest level (registers) to the highest level (secondary storage)

Instruction Format

MIPS instruction format consists of 6 fields: opcode, rs, rt, rd, shamt, and funct
Opcode specifies the operation to be performed
rs and rt specify the source registers
rd specifies the destination register
shamt specifies the shift amount
funct specifies the function to be performed

MIPS Architecture

Registers

MIPS has 32 general-purpose registers, each 32 bits wide
The registers are named $s0, $s1, ..., $s31
The registers are used to store data temporarily while executing instructions

Instruction Types

There are three types of instructions: R-type, I-type, and J-type
R-type instructions perform arithmetic and logical operations
I-type instructions perform load and store operations
J-type instructions perform jump operations

Instruction Formats

R-type instructions have the format: opcode rs rt rd shamt funct
I-type instructions have the format: opcode rs rt immediate
J-type instructions have the format: opcode target

Addressing Modes

There are three addressing modes: register, immediate, and memory
Register addressing mode uses a register as an operand
Immediate addressing mode uses a constant as an operand
Memory addressing mode uses a memory location as an operand

Pipelined Processor

Pipeline Stages

The pipeline stages are: Instruction Fetch, Instruction Decode, Operand Fetch, Execution, Memory Access, and Write Back
Each stage performs a specific function
The stages are connected in a pipeline fashion
The processor can process multiple instructions simultaneously, increasing throughput

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your understanding of computer architecture components and their functions. Identify the correct definition of IO or Peripherals, ALU, Registers, and more. Take this quiz to assess your knowledge of computer systems.

Computer Architecture Basics

Choose a study mode

Podcast

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the ALU in a processor?

What is the role of the registers in a processor?

Which component of the processor acts as an interface between the processor and the outside world?

What is the primary function of the IO or Peripherals in a processor?

What is the role of the CPU in a processor?

What component of the processor carries data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals?

What is the module that ALU belongs to in a computer?

Which stage in the compilation process performs syntax rules checking and constructs a symbol table and abstract syntax tree?

What is the function of the Linker in the compilation process?

Which of the following are NOT part of the compilation process?

Which hardware is active during the Fetch Stage of the instruction cycle?

Which of the following are NOT stages in the instruction cycle?

What is the CPU time determined by in the four-component performance formula?

What is a benchmark in computer performance?

What can a designer modify to effect propagation delay?

Which of the following contribute to propagation delay?

What is the number of symbols used in the decimal number system?

What indicates an even number in the two's complement representation?

What is the result of the binary calculation 00000011 + 00101011 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

What is the decimal representation of the binary value 00010110?

What is the 8-bit binary representation of the decimal value 35?

What is the hexadecimal representation of the binary value 0000101011111100 using 4 hex places?

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11011100?

What is the result of the binary calculation 00100000 + 00010111 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

What is the hexadecimal representation of the decimal value 1152 using 4 hex places?

What is the decimal representation of the binary value 00001110?

What is the hexadecimal representation of the instruction divu $s6, $a3?

How many address bits are used in the MIPS architecture to access main memory?

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction ori $v0, $s2, 24516, given $s2 = 96?

Which instruction is used to implement an 'if (a!=b)' decision in assembly?

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction addi $v0, $k0, 10968, given $k0 = 120?

What is the MIPS assembly implementation of the C code decision if (i==j) k = i+j; else j = j-i; i = i+1?

Which of the following registers does the 'jal' instruction automatically update?

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction nor $v0, $a1, $s4, given $a1 = 75 and $s4 = 57?

Which instruction is used to implement a loop statement in assembly?

What is the integer value of the $v0 register after executing the instruction xor $v0, $sp, $s6, given $sp = 95 and $s6 = 113?

What is the 2's complement representation of the decimal value -60 using 8 bits?

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11110010?

Which of the following is a characteristic of little-endian?

What exception will occur if a variable of type unsigned int stores a value of zero and the variable value is decremented?

Which register is written to as the instruction subu $t3, $t4, $t7 is executed?

Which register is written to as the instruction addi $s0, $t5, 16940 is executed?

What is a benefit of reducing the complexity of processor hardware?

What can cause a load instruction to stall?

Can forwarding alone resolve all hazards in the given code?

What is used in static branch prediction?

What is used in 1-bit history table branch prediction?

What must be added to a single-cycle processor to implement a pipelined design?

What type of memory is typically used for main system memory?

What type of memory should be placed close to the CPU in the memory hierarchy?

What kind of locality is a level 1 cache focused on supporting?

What is the name for an architecture that executes one instruction on many sets of data at a time?

What is the primary function of the ALU in a processor?

Which component of the processor coordinates the flow of information around the processor?

What is the primary function of the IO or Peripherals in a processor?

Which component of the processor carries data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals?

What is the primary function of the Registers in a processor?

Which component of the processor contains the ALU and Registers, and the interconnection between them?

What is the primary function of the Linker in the compilation process?

Which of the following stages is NOT part of the instruction cycle?

What is the CPU time determined by in the four-component performance formula?

What is the result of the binary calculation 11011011 + 11011010 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

What can a designer modify to effect propagation delay?

Which component of the processor carries data between the ALU, registers, memory, and peripherals?

What is the decimal representation of the binary value 00110101?

What is the primary function of the Syntax Analyzer in the compilation process?

What is the 8-bit binary representation of the decimal value 6?

What is the result of the binary calculation 00011100 + 00110000 in 8-bit 2's complement format?

What is the hexadecimal representation of the binary value 0000100101110100 using 4 hex places?

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11011100?

What is the 2's complement representation of the decimal value -44 using 8 bits?

What is the decimal representation of the 2's complement value 11000100?

What is the definition of little-endian?

What exception will occur if a variable of type unsigned int stores a value of zero and the variable value is decremented?

Which register is written to as the instruction sra $s5, $gp, 22 is executed?

What is the result of the instruction subu $t1, $v1, $t3?

Which register is written to as the instruction `subu $t3, $t4, $t7` is executed?

Which register is written to as the instruction `addi $s0, $t5, 16940` is executed?