PCS Block 3 Flashcards

Front

Von Neumann Architecture

Back

Nearly every modern computer uses the structure pioneered by von Neumann, consisting of a processing unit, control unit, memory, external data storage, and input/output mechanisms.

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Processing Unit

Back

Contains an arithmetic logic unit and processor registers.

Front

Control Unit

Back

Contains an instruction register and program counter register.

Front

Memory in Von Neumann Architecture

Back

Stores both data and instructions.

Front

Diagram of Von Neumann Architecture

Back

Diagram illustrating the components of the von Neumann architecture.

Front

Fetch step in CPU processing

Back

In the fetch step, the CPU retrieves data and instructions from the main memory (RAM) and stores them in its temporary, fast memory called registers.

Front

Address Bus

Back

The CPU uses a hardware path called the address bus to put the memory address of the next item it wants.

Front

Data Bus

Back

Data travels from the RAM to the CPU on a hardware path called the data bus.

Front

Decode step of FDE

Back

The decode step involves the CPU working out what the instruction it has just fetched actually means.

Front

Role of the control unit in the decode step.

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The control unit decodes the instruction and prepares for the next step.