machine-instruction-cycle-cpu-components-study-guide

Fetch

The stage of the instruction cycle where the CPU retrieves the next instruction from memory.

Decode

The stage of the instruction cycle where the CPU interprets the instruction to determine the operation to be performed and any operands.

Execute

The stage of the instruction cycle where the CPU performs the operation specified by the instruction.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The core of a computer, responsible for executing instructions.

Memory

A component that stores data and instructions.

Registers

Small, high-speed storage locations within the CPU.

Program Counter (PC)

A register that stores the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched.

Memory Address Register (MAR)

A register that stores the memory address being accessed.

Memory Data Register (MDR)

A register that temporarily stores data being read from or written to memory.

Instruction Register (IR)

A register that holds the current instruction being decoded.

Control Unit (CU)

The part of the CPU that interprets instructions and generates control signals.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The part of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical operations.

Address Bus

A unidirectional bus that carries memory addresses from the CPU to memory.

Data Bus

A bidirectional bus that carries data between the CPU and memory/registers.

Control Bus

A bus that carries control signals from the CU to memory and other components.

Operands

The data or addresses that the operation will use.

Co-processor

A specialized processor that assists the main CPU with specific tasks to improve overall efficiency.

Floating-Point Unit (FPU)

A co-processor specialized in performing floating-point calculations.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A co-processor specialized in graphics processing tasks.

Multi-core processor

A type of processor that has multiple CPU cores, each capable of handling its own thread for parallel processing.

Single-core processor

A processor with only one CPU core, capable of handling one thread at a time.

Accumulator (AC)

A general-purpose register for storing intermediate results during calculations.

Buses

Communication channels within the computer system that transfer data, addresses, and control signals.

Key Functions of ALU

Performs arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, comparisons).

Key Functions of Control Unit

Fetches instructions from memory, decodes them, and controls the CPU's and other components' data flow.

Registers as Scratchpad

Registers are referred to as the 'CPU's scratchpad'.

Program Counter Function

Stores the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched.

Buses as Communication Pathways

Buses are described as communication pathways within the CPU and between the CPU and other components.

Multi-core Processor Functionality

Has multiple CPU cores, each capable of handling its own thread, allowing for parallel processing and improved performance.

Co-processor Functionality

Assists the main CPU with specific tasks, offloading work from the main CPU, improving overall performance.