Computer Architecture Quiz and Flashcards: Von Neumann Architecture

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Questions and Answers

What is software defined as in the text?

Results

Control signals

A sequence of codes (or instructions) (correct)

General-purpose arithmetic and logic functions

What is the role of the Control unit (CU) in a computer system?

Interpret instructions (correct)

Implement general-purpose arithmetic and logic functions

Read instructions from memory

Issue control signals

What does the Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) primarily handle?

Read instructions from memory

Generate control signals

Interpret instructions

Implement general-purpose arithmetic and logic functions (correct)

What is the purpose of the Input/Output (I/O) units in a computer system?

Facilitate data input and output Signup and view all the answers

What does the Memory (MM) unit do while data, code, and results are being processed?

Store data temporarily Signup and view all the answers

In the Instruction Cycle, what is the purpose of the Fetch step?

Read instructions from memory Signup and view all the answers

What are the two ways to build a system that performs a specific computation on some input data?

Customized hardware and general-purpose hardware Signup and view all the answers

How is the type of computation specified in special-purpose (customized) hardware?

By the way in which the logic components are connected and configured Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of general-purpose hardware over special-purpose hardware?

It is easier to change the type of computation it performs Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the instruction interpreter in the program concept?

To translate the instruction codes into control signals for the CPU Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental principle behind the Von Neumann architecture?

Data and instructions are stored in a single read-write memory Signup and view all the answers

According to the Von Neumann architecture, how are the contents of memory addressed?

By their location, without regard to the type of data Signup and view all the answers

What type of operations are involved in the Execute Cycle of a CPU?

Arithmetic or logical operations on data Signup and view all the answers

During the Fetch Cycle, where does the CPU retrieve the next instruction from?

Main Memory address 1200 Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the Hypothetical Machine is responsible for storing the current instruction being executed by the CPU?

Instruction Register (IR) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Control Unit in a CPU?

Alter the sequence of operations Signup and view all the answers

In which cycle does the CPU actually perform arithmetic or logical operations on data?

Execute Cycle Signup and view all the answers

What does the Accumulator (AC) do in the Hypothetical Machine?

Performs arithmetic and logical operations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Von Neumann Architecture

Data and instructions are stored in a single read-write memory.
The contents of this memory are addressable by location, without regard to the type of data contained there.
Execution occurs in a sequential fashion (unless modified) from one instruction to the next.

Program Concept

There are two ways to build a system that performs a specific computation on some input data:
- Special-purpose (customized) hardware: logic components are connected and configured specifically to perform a particular computation.
- General-purpose hardware: logic components are connected to form a general-purpose hardware that gets configured using a set of input control signals.

Computer Components

Each computer component takes some part in implementing the "s/w programming" approach:
- Control unit (CU) acts as instruction interpreter.
- Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) implements general-purpose arithmetic and logic functions.
- Both CU and ALU constitute most of central processing unit (CPU).
- Data/codes get into system, and results get out through input/output (I/O) units.
- Data, code, and results are stored temporarily while being processed in main memory (MM) unit.

Instruction Cycle

Two steps:
- Fetch: CPU reads instructions from memory, one at a time.
- Execute: CPU executes instructions.

Fetch Cycle

Program Counter (PC) holds address of next instruction to fetch.
Processor fetches instruction from memory location pointed to by PC.
Increment PC.
Instruction loaded into Instruction Register (IR).

Execute Cycle

Processor-memory: Data transfer between CPU and main memory.
Processor-I/O: Data transfer between CPU and I/O module.
Data processing: Some arithmetic or logical operation on data.
Control: Alteration of sequence of operations (e.g., jump).

Hypothetical Machine

Opcode: 15 bits, used to specify the operation to be performed.
Address: 15 bits, used to specify the location of the data in memory.
Instruction Format: Opcode (15 bits) + Address (15 bits).
CPU Registers:
- Program Counter (PC)
- Instruction Register (IR)
- Accumulator (AC)

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Description

This quiz covers the top-level view of computer function and interconnection, focusing on the Von Neumann Architecture. Topics include the storage of data and instructions in a single read-write memory, addressability of memory contents by location, and sequential execution of instructions.