CPU Structure & Instruction Flashcards

CPU

Central Processing Unit that processes instructions and controls computer operations

Control Unit (CU)

Part of CPU that directs and controls the execution of instructions.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Performs arithmetic operations and logical comparisons.

Register

Small and fast storage inside CPU used to hold temporary data.

Program Counter (PC)

tores the address of the next instruction to be executed.

Instruction Register (IR)

Holds the current instruction being executed.

Instruction Cycle

The process the CPU follows to execute an instruction.

Fetch Stage

CPU retrieves the instruction from memory.

Decode Stage

CPU interprets the instruction to understand what action to perform.

Execute Stage

CPU performs the operation specified by the instruction.

Store Stage

CPU stores the result back into a register or memory.

Pipelining

Technique where multiple instructions are processed at the same time in stages.

Pipeline Hazard

A problem that occurs when pipeline execution is delayed is incorrect

Data Hazard

Occurs when an instruction depends on data from a previous instruction.

Control Hazard

Occurs due to branch or jump instructions changing program flow.

Structural Hazard

Happens when hardware resources are insufficient for parallel execution.

RISC

Reduced Instruction Set Computer with simple and fast instructions.

RISC Characteristics

Uses few instructions, fixed instruction length, and fast execution.

Clock Cycle

A single timing pulse that synchronizes CPU operations.

Throughput

Number of instructions completed in a given time.