3.1 Computer architecture

Central Processing Unit (CPU): Processes instructions and data that are input into the computer so that the result can be output

Microprocessor: A type of integrated circuit on a single chip

Von Neumann Machine

• Data and programs are indistinguishable, allowing them to share the same memory
• Operates with a single processor which rely on registers
• Follows a linear sequence of fetch, decode, and execute operations for processing instruction

Registers: Smallest unit of storage within the CPU used to hold data or instructions temporarily during processing

CPU Components

Units

• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Carries out arithmetic calculations & logical decisions
• Control Unit (CU): Controls the operation of the memory, processor and input/output devices by using the fetch-decode-execute cycle

Registers

• Program Counter (PC): Holds the memory address of next instruction to be executed
• Memory Address Register (MAR): holds the address from which data will be fetched or to which data will be sent.
• Memory Data Register (MDR): Temporarily stores data that is being transferred to CIR by the MAR.
• Current Instruction Register (CIR): Holds the instruction currently being executed by the CPU
• Accumulator (ACC): Stores intermediate arithmetic and logic results during processing

Buses

A set of parallel wires that connects multiple components and facilitate communication among them

• Address Bus: Unidirectional bus that carries memory addresses from the CPU to other memory, input or output locations.
• Data Bus: Bidirectional bus that carries data between the CPU, memory, and other peripherals.
• Control Bus: Bidirectional bus that transmits control signals from the CPU to coordinate and manage the operations of various components.

The Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

Fetch Stage

• PC holds address of next instruction to be fetched from main memory
• Copy the address from PC to MAR via address bus MAR ← [PC]
• Address is sent along the address bus and awaits a signal from the control bus (Signal is sent from CU to main memory)
• Data or instructions received from main memory is loaded to MDR via data bus MDR ← [[MAR]]
• Load the instruction in MDR into CIR CIR ← [MDR]
• Increment the PC to point to next instruction PC ← [PC] + 1

Decode Stage

• The CU works out what is required from the instruction

Execute Stage

• CPU will carry out the decoded instruction
  • ALU: Performs the calculation
  • CU: Coordinates with the appropriate components to store data or results back into main memory or retrieves data from a different memory location

Key Points

• This process cycles which happens billions of times per second
• [] denote value currently in that register
• [[-]] means the CPU must do a logical operation then copy this value

Performance of Computer System Factors

Bus Width

• Determines the number of bits that can be simultaneously transferred
• Increasing width increases data transfer rate

Clock speed

• Determine the clock cycle that synchronizes all computer operations
• Increasing clock speed increases the number of operations per second
• This doesn’t necessarily lead to better performance
• Overclocking: Using a higher clock speed than designed. This may lead to operations becoming unsynchronized (causing crashes) or cause overheating of CPU

Cache

• Small, high-speed memory
• Stores frequently accessed data and instructions
• Located inside the CPU
• Larger cache memory size leads to better CPU performance

Number of Cores

• Most CPU chips are multi-core
• Each core processes different instructions using multithreading
• Higher core number improves performance

Instruction Set

List of all the commands that can be processed by a CPU, and the commands are machine code

Embedded System

• A combination of hardware and software designed to carry out a dedicated function
• This is different to a general purpose computer that is used to perform many different functions
• May contain
  • Microcontrollers - CPU, RAM, ROM and other peripherals on a single chip
  • Microprocessor - Integrated circuit with CPU only
  • System on Chips (SoC) - Microprocessor with I/O ports, storage and memory
• Process
  • User gives input that is sent to microprocessor
  • ADC may be required to convert the input
  • Data from the user interface is also transmitted to the microprocessor
  • The microprocessor processes the data and sends signals to actuators which are the output
• Non-programmable devices needs replacing for software update
• Programmable devices may be updated by
  • Connecting the device to a computer to download the update
  • Automatic updates via a satellite, cellular or Wi-Fi
• Applications
  • Domestic appliances
  • Cars
  • Security Systems
  • Lighting Systems
  • Vending machines.
  • GPS systems
  • Washing Machines
  • ATM (Automated Teller Machine)
  • Microwave