CPU Architecture

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Von Neumann Architecture

Von Neumann architecture is still used today in everyday electronics like personal computers (PCs).

Von Neumann architecture

The main architecture that we use today is the Von Neumann architecture.
It was designed in the 1940s by John von Neumann.

Programs

The architecture works on the stored program concept:
- A program must be stored in main memory to be executed.
- Its instructions are fetched one at a time and executed serially.

Units, registers & buses

The Von Neumann architecture uses:
- One control unit.
- One arithmetic logic unit.
- Five registers.
- Three buses.

Harvard and Contemporary Architecture

Other CPU architectures exist, which are specialised for different purposes.

Harvard architecture

Harvard architecture has two memory locations, one for data and one for instructions.
The instructions are often unchanging so will be kept in Read Only Memory (ROM).

Uses of Harvard architecture

Harvard architecture processors are mainly used in digital signal processing applications such as:
- Medical body signal monitoring.
- Sonar.

Contemporary architecture

Although modern PC processors are still based off the Von Neumann architecture, they often have elements of Harvard architecture and other elements for efficiency.

Differences to Von Neumann

The cache inside a modern processor is split into two storage locations for data and instructions and these are accessed using a Harvard style system.
Processors now also have multiple cores and pipelining which further improve efficiency and capabilities of modern processors.

1Components of a Computer

1.1Structure & Function of the Processor

1.1.1Structure of the CPU

1.1.2Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle

1.1.3Factors Affecting CPU Performance

1.1.4CPU Architecture

1.2Types of Processors

1.2.1CISC & RISC

1.2.2Multicore & Parallel Cores

1.3Input, Output & Storage

1.3.1Computer Systems

1.3.2Magnetic Storage

1.3.3Optical Storage

1.3.4Types of Optical Storage

1.3.5Types of Memory

1.3.6Flash Memory

1.3.7Virtual Memory

2Software & Software Development

3Exchanging Data

4Data Types, Data Structures & Algorithms

4.1Data Types

4.1.1Data Types

4.1.2Arrays & Strings

4.1.3Representing Numbers

4.1.4Binary Arithmetic

4.1.5Hexadecimal

4.1.6Converting Binary Numbers

4.1.7Floating Points in Binary

4.1.8Floating Point Arithmetic

4.1.9Bitwise Manipulation

4.1.10Character Sets

4.2Data Structures

4.2.1Arrays, Linked Lists & Queues

4.2.2Graphs, Hash Tables & Stacks

4.2.3Trees

4.3Boolean Algebra

4.3.1Computational Logic

4.3.2Boolean Logic

4.3.3Karnaugh Maps

4.3.4Boolean Identities

4.3.5Flip Flops & Adder Circuits

5Legal, Moral, Cultural & Ethical Issues

5.1Computing Related Legislation

5.1.1Data Protection Act (1998)

5.1.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)

5.1.3Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)

5.1.4Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000)

5.2Moral & Ethical Issues

5.2.1Online Activity Tracking

5.2.2Censorship

5.2.3Cultural Issues

5.2.4Environmental Issues

5.2.5Layout, Colour Paradigms & Character Sets

6Elements of Computational Thinking

6.1Thinking Abstractly

6.1.1Abstraction

6.2Thinking Procedurally

6.2.1Decomposition

6.3Thinking Logically

6.3.1Pseudocode & Flow Diagrams

7Problem Solving & Programming

7.1Programming Techniques

7.1.1Programming Fundamentals

7.1.2Modularity

7.2Programming Construction

7.2.1Integrated Development Environments

7.2.2Testing

8Algorithms

8.1Algorithms

8.1.1Interpreting, Correcting & Completing Algorithm

8.1.2Sort Algorithms

8.1.3Insertion & Merge Sort

8.1.4Search Algorithms

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