1.

1 -Systems Architecture
Workbook
Explain the purpose of the CPU - Use examples and a brief history
The CPU interprets, processes and executes instructions

What is Von Neumann architecture - What is it?

Von neumann architecture is a cpu layout containing an MAR MDR program
counter accumulator ALU CU and registers.

Explain the purpose of the MAR (Memory Address Register) and why its needed?
Holds the memory l9ocation of data that is to be accessed

Explain the purpose of the MDR (Memory Data Register) and why its needed?
Holds data that is being transferred to or from memory

Explain the purpose of the Program Counter and why it's needed?
Contains the address of the next instruction to be executed

Explain the purpose of the Accumulator and why it's needed?

Where intermediate arithmetic and logic results are stored

Explain the purpose of the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)and why it's needed?
Does the arithmetic operations needed by the CPU

Explain the purpose of the CU (Control Unit) and why it's needed?
he control unit controls the operation of the computer’s ALU, memory and
input/output devices

Explain the purpose of Cache and why it's needed?

Store extremely frequently used instructions and data for the CPU

Explain the core function of the CPU as fetch and execute instructions stored in
memory
The core function of the CPU is to fetch decode and execute data that is
needed by the PC

Using http://peterhigginson.co.uk/LMC/
And the following code
inp
sta 8
inp
add 8
out
Explain what is happening during the fetch decode execute cycle.
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Explain how common characteristics of CPUs affect their performance:
clock speed, cache size, number of cores
If a CPU has a higher cache size, number of cores, clock speed then the speed
of the cpu would generally be higher as long as its not being bottlenecked by a
low amount in the other characteristics

What is an embedded system

Combination of computer hardware and software designed for a specific
function like a dishwasher

What is the purpose of embedded systems

To serve only one purpose and have a fixed functionability

Give examples of embedded systems along with what inputs, processing and
outputs they have
Dishwasher-input the button, out put the command to start
Refrigerator,- smart refrigerators have multiple

QUESTION 1

Ann wants to purchase a new computer and is looking at two models. The
specification of the CPU in each computer is shown below.

When running a 3D flight simulator, Computer 1 is likely to run faster than

Computer 2. Using the information above, identify one reason for this.
It has more cores
[1]
Explain one reason why the cache size affects the performance of the CPU.
Data is transferred faster if it is a higher cache size
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[2]
Identify four events that take place during the fetch-execute cycle.
Instructions are fetched from memory
Instructions are then decoded
Decoded instructions execuited by the cpu
Repeat yhe process
[4]

Gareth has a satellite navigation system (Sat Nav) which contains an embedded
system. Define what is meant by an ‘embedded system’.
Computer system built into another device
[1]
Identify three devices, other than a Satellite Navigation system, that contain
embedded systems.
dishwasher

Washing machine

phone
[3]
QUESTION 3
Here are some statements about the CPU of a computer. Tick one box in each
row to show whether each of the following statements is true or false.
Statement True False

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. tick

The CPU fetches and decodes instructions. tick

The speed of a CPU is usually measured in GigaHertz (GHz). tick

If a CPU has many cores, this slows down the computer. tick

The hard disk drive is part of the CPU. tick

[5]
QUESTION 4
Dipesh is thinking of buying a tablet computer to replace his old desktop
computer. Describe how the CPU and RAM work together to enable the tablet
computer to operate.
Currently running programs are set in the ram
Fetched from the ram by the CPU
Instructions are then processed and executed
[3]
The tablet computer also uses cache memory. Describe the purpose of cache
memory.
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[2]
QUESTION 5
Quinn’s current computer specification is shown below.

Describe the benefits of a dual core processor over a single

core processor.
Tasks can be split between all the processors so its faster

[2]

Question 1: Processors have a speed measured in (1-4) ✔

Hertz tick
Bits
Bytes
Seconds
Question 2: Data and Instructions in use are stored in the: (1-4) ✔
Processor
Embedded System
Hard Disk Drive
Main Memory tick
Question 3: Typical processor speed of 2016: (1-4) ✔
16Hz
100MHz
4GHz tick
300GHz
Question 4: What doesn’t affect the performance of the computer (1-4) ✔
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Clock Speed
Number of Cores
Cache Size
The number of instructions in the program tick
Question 5: If the number of cores goes up from 2 to 4 – what is the exact effect on performance?
(1-4) ✔
Performance decreases
The maximum number of instructions executed per second doubles tick
The maximum number of instructions executed per second quadruples
The maximum number of instructions executed per second is halved
Question 6: If the processing speed goes up from 1GHZ to 4GHZ – what is the exact effect on the
performance of the computer? (1-4) ✔
The maximum number of instructions executed per second doubles
The maximum number of instructions executed per second quadruples tick
The maximum number of instructions executed per second is halved
The maximum number of instructions executed per second is quartered
Question 7: If the processing speed goes up from 2GHZ to 4GHZ and the number of cores goes
from 2 to 4 – what is the exact effect on the performance of the computer? (5-6) ✔
The maximum number of instructions executed per second doubles
The maximum number of instructions executed per second quadruples tick
The maximum number of instructions executed per second is halved
The maximum number of instructions executed per second is quartered
Question 8: If the processing speed goes from 1GHZ to 4GHZ and the processor is changed from an
8 core to a dual core processor – what is the exact effect on the performance of the computer? (5-6) ✔
The number of instructions executed per second doubles
The number of instructions executed per second quadruples
The number of instructions executed per second is halved
The number of instructions executed per second stays the same tick
Question 9: Firmware in which software and hardware are integrated on a circuit board is often used
in what type of system? (5-6) ✔
Desktop System
Embedded System tick
Operating System
Point of Sales System
Question 10: Which is an example of an Embedded System: (1-4) ✔
Laptops
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Tablets
PCs
Microwave tick
Question 11: Processor don’t do the following (1-4) ✔
Process Data
Execute Instructions
Execute Data tick
Operate in Hz
Question 12: The part of a processor in which instructions are executed is known as? (1-4) ✔
Core tick
Centre
Execution
Instruction Centre
Question 13: What acts as an intermediary between the processor and the Main Memory? (6-9) ✔
Bus
User
Cache tick
Clock
Question 14: What is held in cache? (5-6) ✔
All of the programming instructions
Commonly used instructions and data tick
Instructions that have been processed
Data that hasn’t been used for a long time
Questions 15: Moore’s Law? (7-9) ✔
Predicted that the number of transistors on a circuit board would double ever year tick
Computers would be capable of thinking and learning for themselves by 2020
That the number of cores on a processor would double every year
The performance increase of computers would eventually halt in 2020
Question 16: Firmware refers to (5-6) ✔
Any hardware that can’t easily break
A combination of hardware and software tick
A type of software that is updated to make a computer work better
Hardware used in kitchens
Question 17 If the processing speed goes up from 2GHZ to 4GHZ and the number of cores goes
from 1 to 2 – what is the exact effect on the performance of the computer? (5-6) ✔
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Doubled
Quadrupled tick
Eight Times faster
Sixteen times faster
Question 18 If the processing speed goes up from 2GHZ to 4GHZ and the number of cores goes
from 1 to 4 – what is the exact effect on the performance of the computer? (5-6) ✔
Doubled
Quadrupled
Eight Times faster tick
Sixteen times faster
Question 19 If the processing speed goes up from 1GHZ to 4GHZ and the number of cores goes
from 1 to 2 – what is the exact effect on the performance of the computer? (5-6) ✔
Doubled
Quadrupled
Eight Times faster tick
Sixteen times faster
Question 20 If the processing speed goes up from 1GHZ to 4GHZ and the number of cores goes
from 1 to 8 – what is the exact effect on the performance of the computer? (5-6) ✔
Eight Times faster
Sixteen times faster
Thirty Two times faster tick
Sixty Four times faster
Question 21: What component holds the address of the next instruction (7-9) ✔
Memory Address Register
Memory Data Register
Program Counter tick
Accumulator
Question 22: Results of calculations are held in this register: (7-9) ✔
Memory Address Register
Memory Data Register
Program Counter
Accumulator tick
Question 23: This holds the instruction/data temporarily after it is brought to the processor from the
main memory (7-9) ✔
Memory Address Register
Memory Data Register tick
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Program Counter
Accumulator
Question 24: This holds the number of the current instruction being worked on (7-9) ✔
Memory Address Register
Memory Data Register tick
Program Counter
Accumulator
Question 25: This would perform an operation including the word “And” (5-7) ✔
Arithmetic Logic Unit tick
Accumulator
Cache
Control Unit
Question 26: This would send a signal such as “Memory Read” (5-7) ✔
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Accumulator
Cache
Control Unit tick
Question 27: This would perform an operation such as 5+8 (1-4) ✔
Arithmetic Logic Unit tick
Accumulator
Cache
Control Unit
Question 28: This would reduce the number of memory/processor transfers (5-7) ✔
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Accumulator tick
Cache
Control Unit
Question 29: This sends signals such as “I/O Read” (5-7) ✔
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Accumulator
Cache
Control Unit tick
Question 30: This sends signals such as “Memory write” (5-7) ✔
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Accumulator
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Cache
Control Unit tick
Question 31: This doesn’t happen during the Fetch part of the cycle: (7-9) ✔
Address Bus is used
Program Counter increments by one
Arithmetic operations are performed tick
Main Memory is addressed
Question 32: This doesn’t happen during the Decode / Execute part of the cycle: (7-9) ✔
Current Instruction is held in the CIR
Results are held in the Accumulator
Status Register updated
Instructions are transferred from Main Memory tick
Questions 33: What is held in ROM? (1-4) ✔
Data currently in use
Bootstrap Loader tick
Instructions frequently used
Operating System
Question 34: Carries address of the next instruction that will be fetched (4-6) ✔
Address Bus tick
Data Bus
Control Bus
System Bus
Question 35: What is a property of an Address Bus (4-6) ✔
Carries Data and Instructions
Uni-Directional tick
Bi-Directional
Carries control Signals
Question 36: Which component generates addresses(4-6) ✔
Processor tick
Main Memory
Control Unit
Secondary Storage
Question 37: What is transferred down the data bus? (4-6) ✔
Data only
Addresses only
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Data and Instructions tick
Data, Instructions and Addresses
Question 38: What accurately describes a peripheral? (1-4) ✔
A component of a computer system
A device that is not directly connected to the CPU tick
A device that is directly connected to the CPU
A device that is plugged in
Question 39: This is not a type of secondary storage (1-4) ✔
Blu-Ray Drive/Disc
Flash Memory
Hard Disk Drive
RAM tick
Question 40: What is the purpose of the accumulator? (4-6) ✔
To perform arithmetic operations
To hold the results of a calculation tick
To hold the accumulation of instructions that have happened
To remember the previous instruction being worked on