Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa CS 2842 Computer Systems B. Sc. Engineering Semester 2 (New Curriculum)

Assignment 2

y Abeyrathna P.A.M.M.B
01.

090003T

By the research on memory; for a given cost, optimal performance is not achieved by using one type of memory throughout a computer. Instead, a set of technologies arranged as follows in a conceptual memory hierarchy.

registers Cache

Fast Costly Volatile

RAM

Small size

Flash

Hard drive

Tape backup

The hierarchy has a smaller amount of the highest performance memory, a slightly larger amount of slightly slower memory, and so on. Briefly the hierarchy contains a relatively small amount of fast memory and larger amounts of less expensive, but slower memory. 02. Latency - The time that elapses between the start of an operation and the completion of the operation. This is a simplistic measure that does not provide complete information. Memory controller - The memory controller is in between the processer and the physical memory. The controller translates the memory address and request into signals appropriate for the underlying memory, and passes the signals to the memory chips. To minimize the latency, the controller returns an answer as quickly as possible. A controller may need additional clock cycles to reset the hardware circuits and prepare for the next operation, after it responds to the device. Memory bus is the memory bus. Processer The hardware connection between a processer and memory

Controller
Memory buses

Physical memory

Little-endian higher powers of two.

Computers use bytes with higher addresses for the bits with

Virtual memory Virtual memory refers to a mechanism that hides the details of the underlying physical memory to provide a more convenient memory environment. In, essence a virtual memory system creates an illusion an address space and a memory access scheme that overcome limitations of the physical memory and physical addressing scheme. 03. RAM The RAM can access any value in the memory at any time.

Magnetic disks A set of magnetic discs which are rotating fast are used as data storage media. The movable arms are used as read/write heads. Tape drive A magnetic tape is used as storage media. The tape is winded on a pair of rollers. Can only access the data in the recorded order. Registers - Small memory units which are situated inside the CPU. Very fast performance. Small amount is used due to the higher cost. 04. Von Neumann architecture uses the stored program approach in which a program resides in memory. The hardware for the Von Neumann machine consists the processor, the memory and the input/output devises.

Computer

Processor

Memory

Input/output devices

05. Fixed logic processor and selectable logic processor i. The fixed logic processor can perform only one operation. But the other can perform more than one. ii. A selectable logic processor has slightly more flexibility than the fixed logic processor. iii. In both, the functionalities needed to perform the operation(s) is/are built in when the processor is created.

Fixed logic processor and parameterized logic processor i. The parameterized logic processor is more flexibility than the fixed logic processor. ii. In parameterized logic processor it accept a set of parameters that control the operation, But in fixed logic processor it isnt.

06. A processor has five conceptual unites. They are, Controller This is the controller steps through the program and coordinates the actions of all other hardware unites to perform the specified operations. Computational Engine (ALU) - This unit performs all computational tasks, including arithmetic operations and logical operations and does not perform multiple steps or initiate activities. Local data storage This unit holds data values such as operands given to the ALU or the results of a computation. Usually takes the form of hardware registers. Internal interconnections - A processor contains one or more hardware mechanisms that are used to transfer values between the other hardware units. This is the unit which fulfills that task. External interface - This unit handles all communication between processor and the rest of the computer system. This manages the all communication between the processor and external memory.

07.

When reading data from the memory, the address of the memory location which contains data is loaded in to the MAR. Then the data at that memory address is loaded in to the MDR. Then the data in that memory location is loaded in to the temporary register. When writing data to the memory, memory address of the memory location which we are going to write is loaded in to MAR. Then the data which is to be written is loaded in to the MDR. Then the data in MDR is written in to the memory address which is pointed by MAR.

08. Instruction fetch Obtain instructions from program storage

Instruction decode

Determine required actions & instruction size

Operand fetch

Locate & obtain operand data

Execute

Compute result value or status

Result store

Deposit results in storage for later use

Next instruction

Lead to the next instruction

09.

Instruction register and Program counter are very important in controlling the execution. First the address of the first opcode is loaded in to the IR by MAR and MBR. Then the opcode address is sent to the instruction decoder and it is decoded and executed. When a special command like if-else ladder is met, the order of the execution may change. So in such cases the address of the next opcode is sent to the PC by the instruction decoder.