Hardware (paper 1)
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what is the purpose of the CPU
to continuosly process instructions and data that are input and repeatedly carrying out the fetch-execute cycle to output a result
what does CPU stand for
central processing unit
what does the von nnuman machine contain
• arithmetic logic unit • control unit • current instruction register • accumalator • memory data register • memory address register • CPU
what is the fetch-execute cycle
the process every operation carries out goes through, regulated by a cucle of the CPU clock
describe the fetch-execute cycle
• FETCH an instruction from main memory (RAM) • DECODE the instruction • EXECUTE the instruction
what does the ALU (Arithmetic logic unit) do
carries out mathematical and logical operations
what does the CU (Control unit) do
coordinates all of the CPU’s actions in the fetch-decose-execute cycle and decodes instructions
what does the clock do
regulate the speed and timing of all signals and computer functions
what do the registers do
they are very small very fast memory locations, temporarily storing memory addresses, instructions or data
what do address, data and control buses do
they are wires used to transfer data, instructions, memory addresses, and control signals from one component to another
what does the clock speed determine
the number of fetch-execute cycles per second
what is cache memory
storage which is much faster than main memory beacuse it is transferred more quickly, making the CPU more efficient
how many levels of cache are there
2 or 3
what is the relationship between speed and capacity with cache memory
the fastest cache has the smallest capacity (level 1)
will the CPU use cache or RAM first
it will use the fastest level of cache before moving to the next level
what can each core do
process one operation per clock cycle
what type of code do processors execute
machine code
what is an instruction set
a processors own specific list of commands written in machine code that can be executed and understood by the CPU
what is an embedded system used for
to control the function of electronic devices, they don’t need operating systems
why do embedded systems not need operating systems
because they perform limited and very specific tasks with their imput frequency controlled by a button or switch
why must embedded systems be reliable
because they cannot be modified once manufactured - the program is held in the ROM
what does RAM stand for
random access memory
what is the function of the RAM (main memory)
to temportarily store the instructions and data the computer needs whilst it is in operation
why is the RAM needed
because it would be too slow to access everything directly from the hard drive disk