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Systems architecture (1.1) GapFill

Target Level
4-5
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0
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Attempt
1 of 3

You must fill all the gaps before clicking ‘Check Answers!’

In a computer system, components are arranged so that the CPU is connected to input and output devices as well as to  an embedded systema program counterdata storagean external clock. The CPU is responsible for processing all of the operations that need to be carried out by the computer and is composed of the  control busRAMdata busALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit), the CU (Control Unit), registers and  cachevirtualsecondaryread-only memory.

The CPU runs in a fetch-execute cycle to retrieve one instruction, carry out that instruction, retrieve the next instruction and so on. The CPU uses  clocksregistersheatsinksALU to store the data that is used in this process. The fetch-execute cycle is carried out as follows:

  • The memory address of the next instruction to be executed is copied from the  CUALUMDRPC to the MAR
  • This value is  increased by 1doubledcopied to the MARcopied to the MDR while the data stored in the memory location pointed to by the MAR is copied into the MDR
  • The instruction is copied from the  ALUCUMDRPC to the CIR
  • The instruction is then decoded by the  cache memoryCUALUaccumulator
  • The instruction is executed

Factors which affect the performance of the CPU include the number of  usersbusesinput/output devicescores, the CPU's  cacheclockmemoryaccumulator speed and the amount of available  cache memorysecondary storageROMRAM.

Sometimes a computer may not act as a standalone device, but instead be built into a larger device to perform some specific task. This sort of computer is known as  an embedded systeman open-source systeman iterative systema nested system.

This is your 1st attempt! You get 3 marks for each one you get right. Good luck!

Pass Mark
72%