The Von Neumann Architecture

The Von Neumann Architecture

1. The Units it uses: PC, MAR, CPU, ALU, Cache, ACC and MDR

   • CPU: Computer Processing Unit
     • The CPU unit fetches data from the cache, decodes it and then outputs that decoded data
   • The Cache stores information
   • MAR: Memory Address Register
     • Holds the memory location of data that needs to be accessed
   • MDR: Memory Data Register
     • Holds data that is being transferred to or from the Cache
   • PC: Program Counter
     • Contains the address of the next instruction to be executed
   • ALU: Arithmetic & Logic Unit
     • The ALU allows arithmetic (add, subtract) and logic (AND, OR, NOT) operations to be carried out.
   • ACC: Accumulator
     • Where intermediate arithmetic and logic results are stored

2. Made by John Von Neumann

   • Made in 1945

3. The Von Neumann Architecture was a design for an electric computer