J2777 - 1.1 Systems Artchitecture

CPU

central processing unit

What does the central processing unit contain

contains the control unit, ALU and cache memory

fetch-decode-execute cycle

the process of fetching the instructions from memory, decoding them and then executing them that the CPU performs continuously

ALU

arithmetic logic unit

arithmetic logic unit

performs all the logical operations within the CPU

CU

control unit

control unit

Sends control signals to co-ordinate the activities of the CPU

ACC

accumulator

accumulator

stores results of calculations made by the ALU

MAR

memory address register

memory address register

stores location in memory to be used by the MDR

MDR

memory data register

memory data register

store data fetched from memory or data that is to be transferred and stored in memory

PC

program counter

program counter

stores location of the next instruction in a program to be executed

cache memory

special high speed memory

cache memory is located very close to the

CPU

dual core processor

a CPU with 2 processor chips

general purpose computers

typical desktop system

dedicated systems

perform a single function e.g. vending machine

control systems

control machinery e.g. gaming devices

embedded system

a computer system that forms part of an electronic device

embedded systems are found in

watches, telephones, TVs, washing machines

embedded systems have reduced

size and cost

Clock speed

The number of FDE cycles a CPU can perform

What is the CPU's clock speed measured in

GHz per second