Microprocessor Based

Systems
Lecture No 02 Introduction to
Computer Architecture

By Nasir Mahmood
Objective of Learning Computer
Architecture
  The internal working of the computer
  CPU
  Memory

  Busses

  I/O

  How it support the software running on the

hardware
 Why Study Computer
Architecture
  To be professional
  A complete understanding of program execution
  Understanding of computer functional

components, their characteristics, their

performance and their interactions
  Understanding of computer architecture so to run
programs more efficiently
 Reference Chapter 1
  Computer Organization and Architecture
designing for performance
Sixth Edition
By William Stallings
 Computer Architecture other
Reference Books
1.  Computer System Architecture
Third edition By M. Morris Mano

2.  The Intel Microprocessors

Sixth Edition By Barry B. Brey

3.  Computer Architecture : A Quantitative approach Third

Edition By Hennessy, Patterson

4.  Computer Organization and Design The Hardware/Software

interface
Second edition By Hennessy, Patterson
 Distinction between computer
architecture and organization
  Computer Organization
  It is concerned with the way the hardware components
operate and the way they are connected to form the
computer system

  Computer Architecture
  It is concerned with the structure and behaviour of the
computer as seen by the user. It includes the information
formats, the instruction set, and techniques for addressing
memory.
 Architecture & Organization
  Architecture is those attributes visible to the
programmer
  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,
typically hidden from the programmer
  Control signals, interfaces, memory technology.
  e.g. Is there a hardware multiply unit or is it done by
repeated addition?
 Relationship between organization and
architecture
  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
  But… increases complexity of each new generation. May be more
efficient to start over with a new technology, e.g. RISC vs. CISC
  Organization differs between different versions
 Structure & Function
  At each level the designer should consider
  Structure : the way in which components relate to
each other
  Function : the operation of individual components
as part of the structure

  Let’s look at the computer hardware top-down

starting with function.
 Function

  All computer functions are:

  Data processing
  Data storage

  Data movement

  Control
 Functional view

  Functional view of a computer

Data
Storage
Facility

Data
Control
Movement
Mechanism
Apparatus

Data
Processing
Facility
 Operations (1)

  Data movement
  e.g. keyboard to screen Data
Storage
Facility

Data
Control
Movement
Mechanism
Apparatus

Data
Processing
Facility
 Operations (2)

  Storage
  e.g. Internet download to disk Data
Storage
Facility

Data
Control
Movement
Mechanism
Apparatus

Data
Processing
Facility
 Operation (3)

  Processing from/to storage

  e.g. updating bank statement Data
Storage
Facility

Data
Control
Movement
Mechanism
Apparatus

Data
Processing
Facility
 Operation (4)

  Processing from storage to I/O

  e.g. printing a bank statement Data
Storage
Facility

Data
Control
Movement
Mechanism
Apparatus

Data
Processing
Facility
 Structure
  Major Components of a Computer
  Central Processing Unit (CPU) – Controls the operation of
the computer and performs data processing
  Main Memory – Stores data
  Input Output (I/O) – Moves data between the computer
and the external environment
  System Interconnect – Some mechanism that provides for
communications between the system components,
typically a bus (set of wires)
 Structure - Top Level

Peripherals Computer

Central Main
Processing Memory
Unit

Computer
Systems
Interconnection

Input
Output
Communication
lines
 Generic System Bus

System Bus = Data, Address, and Control Bus (set of wires, e.g. 32 wires each)
Typically multiple I/O buses, power bus, etc.
 Structure - CPU
  Major components of the CPU
  Control Unit (CU) – Controls the operation of the CPU
  Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) – Performs data
processing functions, e.g. arithmetic operations
  Registers – Fast storage internal to the CPU, but contents
can be copied to/from main memory
  CPU Interconnect – Some mechanism that provides for
communication among the control unit, ALU, and registers
 Structure - The CPU

CPU

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

Control
Unit
 Structure – Inside the CPU
  The implementation of registers and the ALU
  We will say a bit about the architecture of the control
unit, there are many possible approaches.
  A common approach is the microprogrammed control unit,
where the control unit is in essence itself a miniature
computer, where a CPU instruction is implemented via one or
more micro instructions
  Sequencing Logic – Controlling the order of events
  Microprogram Control Unit – Internal controls
  Microprogram Registers, Memory
 Structure – A Microprogrammed
Control Unit

Control Unit

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

Control
Memory
Current Trends : Multicore Processors
using Network on Chip
THE END