introduction to computer architecture

Intoduction to computer architecture : 

Intoduction to computer architecture Student name and no. Michael Forde and Conor Harpur 20047206 and 20041221

CPU : 

CPU The CPU consists of 5 basic components: RAM Registers Buses ALU Control Unit

RAM : 

RAM Is created from combining latches with a decoder. Latch are created so that it can remember. While the decoder creates a way for single memory locations to be picked. Is a form of computer data storage. It takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order

Registers : 

Registers These components are special memory locations that can be accessed very fast. 3 registers are: The instruction register, program counter and the accumulator.

ALU : 

ALU An Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU) is a digital circuit that performs arithmetic and logical  operations on the CPU. It can add, subtract, multiply and perform calculations with binary numbers.

Control Unit : 

Control Unit A control unit is responsible for controlling the flow of instructions to data within the CPU. The Control Unit is actually built of many other selection circuits such as decoders and multiplexors.

Buses : 

Buses These components are the information highway for the CPU. Buses are bundles of tiny wires that carry data between components. The three most important buses: Data box Address box Control box

Von Neumann Architecture : 

Von Neumann Architecture The von Neumann architecture is a design model for a stored-program digital computer that uses a central processing unit (CPU) and a single separate storage structure to hold both instructions and data.

Von Neumann : 

Von Neumann In modern computer architecture they can be more than one CPU on a chip but is still connected to the CPU and RAM by buses. The RAM sticks are connected to the motherboard and through this they are connected to the address and data buses like the von Neumann architecture. And lastly the inputs and outputs were like floppy disks back then and now they are much more like USB and CD’s. Von Neumann architecture design is very similar to modern computer architecture.

Northbridge and Southbridge chips : 

Northbridge and Southbridge chips The Northbridge handles communications among the CPU, RAM, BIOS ROM, PCI Express video cards and the Southbridge chip. And because the Southbridge is further removed from the CPU it is given responsibility with the slower devices on a microcomputer. Also it works with several different Northbridge's and they usually have to designed specifically to work together.

The Fetch and Execute cycle : 

The Fetch and Execute cycle Is the process where a computer receives a instruction from its memory, then determines what action is required and carries out these actions. Is the basic operation of computer. 3+2 5 = 5

References : 

References Notes and images from Moodle. Wikipedia – Northbridge and Southbridge, fetch and execute cycle.