Topic 1 Key terms: - created from Mind Map

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CPU:

CPU

Von Neumann Architecture

MAR

MDR

PC

Accumulator

ALU

CU

Cache

F-D-E Cycle

Clock Speed

Cache Size

Embedded System

The main part of the computer, consisting of the registers, ALU and control unit.

Traditional computer architecture that forms the basis of most digital computer systems. Instructions are fetched, decoded and executed one at a time

Holds the address of data ready for use by the memory data register. or the address of an instruction passed from the program counter. Step 2 of the fetch, decode, execute cycle

Holds the data fetched from or to be written to the memory. Step 3 of the fetch, decode, execute cycle.

Holds the address of the next instruction. Step 1 of the fetch, decode, execute cycle

Holds the result of calculations.

Performs calculations e.g. x = 2 + 3 and logical comparisons e.g. IF x > 3 in the CPU.

Decodes instructions. Sends signals to control how data moves around the CPU

Memory in the processor providing fast access to frequently used instructions and data

The complete process of retrieving an instruction from store, decoding it and carrying it out. Also known as the instruction cycle.

Measured in Hertz, the clock speed is the frequency at which the internal clock generates pulses. The higher the clock rate, the faster the computer may work. The “clock” is the electronic unit that synchronises related components by generating pulses at a constant rate

A part of the main store between the central processor and the rest of the memory. It has extremely fast access, so sections of a program and its associated data are copied there to take advantage of its short fetch cycle. The larger the size of the cache the more that can be copied and stored here without having to go back to slower main memory (RAM), this has a significant impact on the speed of processing.

A computer which has been built to solve a very specific program and is not easily changed. For example the operating system placed inside a washing machine, microwave or set of traffic lights