System Architecture

System Architecture

1. Key Concepts

   • Embedded systems are computers built into other devices e.g washing machines. They are dedicated to one task so they are more efficient. They are for specialised tasks. Usually don't have an OS.
   • Clock Speed is the number of instructions a processor can execute per second. A higher clockspeed is equivalent to a faster CPU. Clock speed is measured in Hertz.
     • Number of cores: The higher the number of cores, more instructions can be carried out at once which makes processing faster.
     • Cache size: A larger cache will give the CPU faster access to more data

2. Key Words

   • Processor: Processed data and executes instructions.
   • internal Components
     • Main Memory (RAM ROM and EEPROM)
     • I/O controllers
     • Buses
     • Processor
   • External Components
     • Keyboard, mouse, printer and disk drives
     • I/O devices and ports
     • Secondary Storage

3. Main Memory

   • RAM
     • Holds currently used data and instructions
     • Located on Motherboard
     • Directly accessible by processor
     • Volatile