Computer Systems

Learning outcomes For the student to understand:

the stored program concept. how instructions are processed by the CPU. how data and instructions interact between Memory and the CPU

Computer System Components

A computer can be considered to consist of:
A CPU (Central Processing Unit). Memory. I/O (Input / Output).

The CPU, Memory and I/O components are interconnected to achieve the basic function of a computer. The basic function of a computer is to execute programs.
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Computer System Components

At a top level a computer can be described by describing: the external behaviour of each component and the interconnection structure. Virtually all contemporary computer designs are based on the von Neumann architecture. von Neumann architectures are based on three concepts:
Data and instructions are stored in a single read-write memory. Memory contents are addressable by location. Execution occurs sequentially (usually) from one instruction to the next.
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Computer System Components

A program is a set of sequential instructions. A process is a program that is undergoing execution (loose definition). Instructions : Perform simple tasks.

Computer System Components

Memory
Instructions are Stored in main memory. Instructions are Loaded from main memory. Load/Store Architecture. Series of contiguous locations. Random Access Memory. Read Only Memory.

Computer System Components

Central Processing Unit
Registers
Are internal memory locations. Vary in size. Perform specific tasks.
ALU operations.

Serve specific purposes!

MAR, MDR, IR.

Are directly manipulated by the Control Unit.

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Computer System Components

Central Processing Unit
Arithmetic Logic Unit ALU
Equivalent to a calculator Operator Input is two source operands Outputs a single destination operand ADD R1, R2, R3

Computer System Components

Central Processing Unit
Arithmetic Logic Unit ALU

Computer System Components

Central Processing Unit
Interface Unit IU
Is the I/O interface between the processor and its peripheral devices

Computer System Components

Central Processing Unit
Control Unit CU
Controls instruction processing. Controls the movement of internal CPU data. Provides timing and control signals.

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Computer System Components

Memory and CPU interaction
Assembly language

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Computer System Components

Interconnection Structure
A computer might be considered to be a network of basic modules (components). There must be paths connecting the various modules this is the interconnection structure.

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Computer System Components

The interconnecting structure must support various types of data transfer:
Memory to CPU. CPU to Memory. I/O to CPU. CPU to I/O. I/O to or from Memory.

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Computer System Components

The most common interconnections structure is the bus. A bus is a communication pathway that connects two or more devices. A bus is a shared transmission medium. Multiple devices connect to a bus. A signal transmitted by one device is available to all other devices attached to the bus.
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Computer System Components

A bus (typically) comprises of multiple pathways (lines). Each line transmits signals representing binary (1and 0). Over time a sequence of binary-digits (bits) can be transmitted over a single line (serial transmission). Alternatively, several lines can be used to transmit bits simultaneously (parallel transmission). 15

Computer System Components

Computer systems contain a number of different buses. The system bus connects the major computer components (CPU, Memory and I/O). Connecting Memory and the CPU together
Address bus Data bus Control path or bus

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Computer System Components

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Computer System Components

Buses connectivity
A bus transfers data from location to location. A bus carries computer signals location to location.

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Computer System Components

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Computer System Components

Buses connectivity
Lines on PCBs
Address lines, Data lines and Control lines. Can serve a dedicated purposes. Can alternate between purposes.

Backplane
Uses different buses to connect different parts of the computer system together. Buses communicate together through bus interface units.

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Computer System Components

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