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database, os and architecture

The document provides a comprehensive marking guide on computer architecture, covering key concepts such as the definition of computer architecture, its characterization into system design, instruction set architecture, and microarchitecture. It also details various components of microprocessors, types of interrupts, cache mechanisms, and memory management techniques including RAID and virtual memory. Additionally, it discusses specific terms and concepts like DMA, WAIT states, and direct mapping in the context of computer systems.

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Roland Ndzo
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7 views

database, os and architecture

The document provides a comprehensive marking guide on computer architecture, covering key concepts such as the definition of computer architecture, its characterization into system design, instruction set architecture, and microarchitecture. It also details various components of microprocessors, types of interrupts, cache mechanisms, and memory management techniques including RAID and virtual memory. Additionally, it discusses specific terms and concepts like DMA, WAIT states, and direct mapping in the context of computer systems.

Uploaded by

Roland Ndzo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Database marking guide

Operating system marking guide


Marking guide Computer architecture
1) Explain what is Computer Architecture?
Computer architecture is a specification detailing about how a set of software and hardware standards
interacts with each other to form a computer system or platform.
2) How Computer Architecture is characterized?
The computer architecture is characterized into three categories
System Design: It includes all the hardware component in the system, including data processor aside from the
CPU like direct memory access and graphic processing unit
Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): It is the embedded programming language of the central processing unit. It
determines the CPU’s functions and capabilities based on programming it can process.
Microarchitecture: It defines the data path, storage element, and data processing as well as how they should
be implemented in the ISA.
3) Mention what are the different types of fields that are part of an instruction?
The different types of fields that are parts of an instruction are
Operation Code Field or OP Code field: This field is used to determine the operation to be performed for the
instruction
Address Field: This field is used to determine various addresses such as memory address and register address
Mode Field: This field determines how operand is to perform or how effective address is derived
4) Mention what are the basic components of a Microprocessor?
The basic components of a Microprocessor are
Address lines to refer to the address of a block
Data lines for data transfer
IC chips for processing data
5) Mention what are different types of interrupts in a microprocessor system? Explain?
There are three types of interrupts that can cause a break.
External Interrrupts:
From external input/output devices such types of interrupt comes.
Internal Interrupts:
These types of interrupts are caused due to any exception caused by the program itself. For example, division
by zero or an invalid opcode, etc.
Software Interrupts:
Only during the execution of an instruction such type of interruption can occur. The primary purpose of such
interrupts is to switch from user mode to supervisor mode.
6) Mention what are the common components of a microprocessor are?
The common components of a microprocessor include
I/O Units
Control Unit
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Registers
Cache
7) Explain what is Snooping Cache?
Snooping Cache is the process where individual caches monitor address lines for accesses to memory locations
that they have cached.
8) Mention what is the simplest way to determine cache locations in which to store memory blocks?
Direct Mapping is the simplest way to define cache locations in which to store memory blocks. Associative
memories are expensive in comparison to random-access memories due to the added logic associated with
each cell.
9) What digital functions should be used to convert the octal code to binary code?
To convert the octal code to binary code multiplexers is used. It is also referred as Data Selector, where
dynamic memory uses the same address lines for both row and column.
10) What technique is used to automatically move program and data blocks into the physical main memory
when they are required for execution?
Virtual Memory technique is used. It provides a mechanism for translating program generated address into
correct main memory locations. By means of mapping table translation or mapping is handled.
11) Mention what is the use of RAID system?
The use of RAID system is to increase the disk storage capacity and availability.
12) Explain what type of memory that can be erased with the electric discharge?
With the passage of electric discharge, EEPROM is the type of memory whose content is erased.
13) Explain what is horizontal micro code?
The horizontal micro code contains the control signal without any intermediary. It contains a lot of signals and
hence due to that the number of bits also increases.
14) Explain what is direct mapping?
In direct mapping, the RAM is used to store data and some of the data is stored in the Cache. The address
space is divided into two parts index field and tag field. The tag field is used to store the tag field whereas the
rest is stored in the main memory.
15) What does DMA stands for?
DMA stands for Direct Memory Access.
16) When large number of registers are included in the CPU, what is the most efficient way to connect them?
When large number of registers are included in the CPU, the most efficient way to connect them is through an
ALU.
17) Explain if the internal bus connects only register within the CPU, how would you get data to and from
memory?
The AR or Address Register is used to select a memory address, and the Data Register is used to send and
receive the data. Both these register are connected to the internal BUS, and the Data Register acts as a bridge
between the memory data BUS and internal BUS.
So first we load AR with the desired memory address and then transfer to or from Data Register.
18) Explain what is WAIT state?
A WAIT state plays a key role in preventing CPU speed incompatibilities. Many times the processor is at ready
state to accept data from a device or location, but there might be no input available. In such case there will be
wastage of CPU time, and the system gets into WAIT state.
19) Explain how you can deal with WAIT state?
The one way to deal with WAIT state is increasing the microprocessor clock period by reducing the clock
frequency
The second way is by using special control input READY. It allows the memory to set its own memory cycle
time.

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