Architecture of the CPU

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General purpose systems are used for lots of different things and include desktop and laptop computers as well as smartphone and tablets
Embedded systems are where the computer works as part of a larger system, for example the computer system in a car, or a micro controller in a washing machine. They are only designed to do one specific task, so are often simpler than a general purpose com
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In an embedded systems, the main memory and CPU are just one component, whereas they are physically separate in a non-embedded system.
The programs used by an embedded device are also likely to be stored in ROM instead of RAM. This means that an embedded system is likely to have more ROM than RAM and indeed, less likely to require secondary storage.
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In a computer system, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory work together to run programs. In particular, the CPU executes (runs) programs using the fetch-decode-execute cycle, whilst the memory (registers, cache, RAM and virtual memory) store the
The key features of Von Neumann Architecture is a single memory (and bus system) for accessing both data and programs. The program stored in main memory and instructions are fetched and executed sequentially. The way this works is known at the fetch-execu
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The CPU continuously reads instructions stored in main memory and executes them as required. When a program is run, it is first loaded into the main memory. This allows the CPU to access it directly. The processor is told the address in memory of the star
Once it has fetched one instruction, the Control Unit in the processor then works out what it needs to do. This is called decoding. Finally, the instruction is executed/carried out. This may include reading/writing from/to main memory.
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The CPU is made up of a number of different components: Arithmetic logic unit - carries out the arithmetic and logical operations required. Control unit - this decides what is supposed to happen and tells the memory, ALU and other devices what they are ex
Clock speed This determines how many instruction cycles a processor is able to process every second. A clock speed of 2 (gigahertz) for example would mean that 2 billion instruction cycles are processed every second.
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The higher the clock speed, the more instructions can be processed every second, so the faster the processor. However, more instructions processed means more heat, and more power consumed, so all processors have a maximum ‘safe’ clock speed. This can be m
A CPU often will contain a number of processing units known as cores, each one consisting of an ALU and a Control Unit, as well as very temporary memory known as registers. The number of cores a processor has determines how many instructions it can proces
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Most devices are dual-core (2 cores) or even quad-core (4 cores), meaning that they can process instructions faster than a single core processor. However, they are not quite double (or quadruple) the speed due to the way they communicate with each other t
Next to the CPU is a very fast (and expensive) type of memory called cache memory. This is where instructions that the computer is likely to reuse are stored. Since constantly fetching instructions from RAM can be slow, the CPU checks the cache memory for
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Card 2

Front

The programs used by an embedded device are also likely to be stored in ROM instead of RAM. This means that an embedded system is likely to have more ROM than RAM and indeed, less likely to require secondary storage.

Back

In an embedded systems, the main memory and CPU are just one component, whereas they are physically separate in a non-embedded system.

Card 3

Front

The key features of Von Neumann Architecture is a single memory (and bus system) for accessing both data and programs. The program stored in main memory and instructions are fetched and executed sequentially. The way this works is known at the fetch-execu

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Once it has fetched one instruction, the Control Unit in the processor then works out what it needs to do. This is called decoding. Finally, the instruction is executed/carried out. This may include reading/writing from/to main memory.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Clock speed This determines how many instruction cycles a processor is able to process every second. A clock speed of 2 (gigahertz) for example would mean that 2 billion instruction cycles are processed every second.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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