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Computer Organization and Architecture: Chapter 1 - Introduction Sameer Akram

This document provides an introduction to computer organization and architecture. It discusses that computer organization refers to how architectural specifications are implemented through components and their interconnections, while architecture defines attributes visible to programmers like instruction sets. The document outlines the hierarchical structure of computers and how they function through data processing, storage, movement and control. It provides examples of the top-level structure including the central processing unit, main memory, I/O, and interconnections.

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Muhammad Tariq Rana
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96 views

Computer Organization and Architecture: Chapter 1 - Introduction Sameer Akram

This document provides an introduction to computer organization and architecture. It discusses that computer organization refers to how architectural specifications are implemented through components and their interconnections, while architecture defines attributes visible to programmers like instruction sets. The document outlines the hierarchical structure of computers and how they function through data processing, storage, movement and control. It provides examples of the top-level structure including the central processing unit, main memory, I/O, and interconnections.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Tariq Rana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer Organization and Architecture

Chapter 1 – Introduction

Provided and updated by


Sameer Akram
Introduction
• Study the structure and function of computers.
• Purpose is to present, as clearly and completely as
possible, the nature and characteristics of modern-day
computers.
• This task is a challenging one for two reasons.
• First, there is a tremendous variety of products, from
single-chip microcomputers costing a few dollars to
supercomputers costing tens of millions of dollars that
can rightly claim the name computer. Variety is exhibited
not only in cost, but also in size, performance, and
application.
• Second, the rapid pace of change that has always
characterized computer technology, continues with no
letup.
Introduction (Contd.)
• These changes cover all aspects of computer
technology, from the underlying integrated circuit
technology used to construct computer components to
the increasing use of parallel organization concepts
in combining those components.
• In spite of the variety and pace of change in the
computer field, certain fundamental concepts apply
consistently throughout.
Architecture & Organization 1
 Architecture is those attributes visible to the
programmer.
 OR those attributes that have a direct impact on the
logical execution of a program.
— Instruction set, number of bits used for data
representation, I/O mechanisms, addressing techniques.
— e.g. Is there a multiply instruction?
 Organization is how features are implemented.
 Organization refers to the operational units and their
interconnections that realize the architectural
specifications.
— Control signals, interfaces, memory technology.
— e.g. Is there a hardware multiply unit (multiplier) or
is it done by repeated addition?
Organization Decision
• The organizational decision may be based on the
— anticipated frequency of use of the multiply instruction,
— the relative speed of the two approaches,
— and the cost
— and physical size of a special multiply unit.
Architecture & Organization 2
 All Intel x86 family share the same basic architecture.

 The IBM System/370 family share the same basic


architecture.

 This gives code compatibility


— At least backwards

 Organization differs between different versions.


Structure & Function
• A computer is a complex system; modern computers
contain millions of elementary electronic components.
• How, then, can one clearly describe them?
• The key is to recognize the hierarchical nature of most
complex systems, including the computer.
• A hierarchical system is a set of interrelated subsystems,
each of the latter, in turn, hierarchical in structure until
we reach some lowest level of elementary subsystem.
• The hierarchical nature of complex systems is essential
to both their design and their description.
Structure & Function

 Structure is the way in which components relate


to each other

 Function is the operation of individual


components as part of the structure
Function
 All computer functions are:
— Data processing
— Data storage
— Data movement
— Control
Functional view
Operations (1) Data movement
Operations (2) Storage
Operation (3) Processing from/to storage
Operation (4)
Processing from storage to I/O
Structure
The computer interacts in
some fashion with its
external environment.
In general, all of its
linkages to the external
environment can be
classified as peripheral
devices or communication
lines.
Structure - Top Level

Peripherals Computer

Central Main
Processing Memory
Unit

Computer
Systems
Interconnection

Input
Output
Communication
lines
Structure - Top Level (Contd.)
• Central processing unit (CPU): Controls the
operation of the computer and performs its data
processing functions; often simply referred to as
processor.
• Main memory: Stores data.
• I/O: Moves data between the computer and its external
environment.
• System interconnection: Some mechanism that
provides for communication among CPU, main memory,
and I/O. A common example of system interconnection
is by means of a system bus, consisting of a number of
conducting wires to which all the other components
attach.
Structure - The CPU

CPU

Computer Arithmetic
Registers and
I/O Arithmetic
Login Unit
System CPU
and
Bus Login Unit
Internal CPU
Memory Interconnection

Control
Unit
Structure - The CPU (Contd.)
• Control unit: Controls the operation of the CPU and
hence the computer.
• Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU): Performs the
computer’s data processing functions.
• Registers: Provides storage internal to the CPU.
• CPU interconnection: Some mechanism that provides
for communication among the control unit, ALU, and
registers.
Structure - The Control Unit

Control Unit

CPU
Sequencing
ALU Logic
Control
Internal
Unit
Bus
Control Unit
Registers Registers and
Decoders

Control
Memory
The Control Unit (Contd.)
• The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer's
central processing unit (CPU) that directs the operation
of the processor. It tells the computer's memory,
arithmetic/logic unit and input and output devices how
to respond to a program's instructions.
• CU contains the Instruction Set of a micro-processor.
• The instruction set or the instruction set
architecture (ISA) is the set of basic instructions that
a processor understands. The instruction set is a portion
of what makes up an architecture

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