Computer Architecture Module 1.1.pdf

Computer Architecture and Organization Module 1.1 - Introduction Reference: Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for Performance by William Stallings Defining Terms Computer architecture - attributes of a system visible to a programmer or have a direct impact on the l...

Computer Architecture and Organization Module 1.1 - Introduction Reference: Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for Performance by William Stallings Defining Terms Computer architecture - attributes of a system visible to a programmer or have a direct impact on the logical execution of a program. Computer organization - operational units and their interconnections that realize the architectural specifications. Architectural attributes include the instruction set, the number of bits used to represent various data types (e.g., numbers, characters), I/O mechanisms, and techniques for addressing memory. Organizational attributes include those hardware details transparent to the programmer, such as control signals; interfaces between the computer and peripherals; and the memory technology used.  For example, it is an architectural design issue whether a computer will have a multiply instruction. It is an organizational issue whether that instruction will be implemented by a special multiply unit or by a mechanism that makes repeated use of the add unit of the system. The organizational decision may be based on the anticipated frequency of use of the multiply instruction, the relative speed of the two approaches, and the cost and physical size of a special multiply unit. Many computer manufacturers offer a family of computer models, all with the same architecture but with differences in organization. Consequently, the different models in the family have different price and performance characteristics. Furthermore, a particular architecture may span many years and encompass a number of different computer models, its organization changing with changing technology. What is Moore's Law? Back in 1965, co-founder of chip giant Intel, Gordon Moore, made an observation after noticing that, since their invention, transistors were doubling in amount every year. So he decided to base a theory on it. That theory is what we now know as Moore's Law. Moore predicted the shrinking chip trend would continue into the foreseeable future and, in a scientific paper, said that the number of transistors per square inch would double approximately every 12 months. Although Moore revised the forecast in 1975, doubling the time to two years, his prediction has proved accurate and has since been used as the current definition of Moore's law. SET Transistors In 1985 Dmitri Averin and Konstantin Likharev, then working at the University of Moscow, proposed the idea of a new three- terminal device called a single-electron tunnelling (SET) transistor. Two years later Theodore Fulton and Gerald Dolan at Bell Labs in the US fabricated such a device and demonstrated how it operates. Unlike field-effect transistors, single-electron devices are based on an intrinsically quantum phenomenon: the tunnel effect. This is observed when two metallic electrodes are separated by an insulating barrier about 1 nm thick – in other words, just 10 atoms in a row. Electrons at the Fermi energy can “tunnel” through the insulator, even though in classical terms their energy would be too low to overcome the potential barrier. Intel x86 architecture It is the most widely used for non- embedded computer systems. The x86 is essentially a complex instruction set computer (CISC) with some RISC features. Recent members of the x86 family make use of superscalar and multicore design principles. The evolution of features in the x86 architecture provides a unique case study of the evolution of most of the design principles in computer architecture. ARM Embedded Architecture It is arguably the most widely used embedded processor, used in cell phones, iPods, remote sensor equipment, and many other devices. The ARM is essentially a reduced instruction set computer (RISC). Recent members of the ARM family make use of superscalar and multicore design principles. Structure and Function Structure is the way in which components relate to each other A computer structure is based on a hierarchical system which is a set of interrelated subsystems sequential in structure until we reach some lowest level of elementary subsystem. The designer need only deal with a particular level of the system at a time. Function is the operation of individual components as part of the structure Computer functions include: Data processing: Computer must be able to process data which may take a wide variety of forms and the range of processing. Data storage: Computer stores data either temporarily or permanently. Data movement: Computer must be able to move data between itself and the outside world. Control: There must be a control of the above three functions.  Structural components of a Computer Central processing unit (CPU): Controls the operation of the computer and performs its data processing functions; often simply referred to as processor. Main memory: Stores data. I/O: Moves data between the computer and its external environment. System interconnection: Some mechanism that provides for communication among CPU, main memory, and I/O. A common example of system interconnection is by means of a system bus, consisting of a number of conducting wires to which all the other components attach.  CPU structural components Control unit: Controls the operation of the CPU and hence the computer Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU): Performs the computer’s data processing functions Registers: Provides storage internal to the CPU CPU interconnection: Some mechanism that provides for communication among the control unit, ALU, and registers Homework – Please write in one whole yellow pad, to be submitted on Monday, 4:30 class What are Microprocessors? Include: Components Architecture (RISC or CISC?) Types Applications What are Microcontrollers? Include: Components Architecture (RISC or CISC?) Types Applications