Computing Fundamentals

Computer Architecture and the Von Neumann’s Architecture

Mathew Abisai
University of Namibia
 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

Learning Objectives:
In this course, you will learn about
• What is computer architecture
• The structure of computer architecture
• Types of computer architectures
• Von Neumann Architecture
• The Fetch and Execute Cycle
• The System Bus

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

• Computer architecture can be defined as a set of rules and methods that describes the
functionality, management and implementation of computers.
• It is nothing but the rules by which a computer system performs and operates.
• In simple terms, computer architecture is the basis upon which computer systems are to
be developed.
• Computer architecture defines the structure and behavior of a computer system,
including its instruction set architecture (ISA), memory hierarchy, input/output systems,
and networking capabilities.

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

• The instruction set architecture (ISA) is a set of instructions that a processor can
execute.
• It defines the programming interface between the hardware and software components
of a computer system.
• The memory hierarchy defines the different levels of memory used in a computer
system, from the fastest and most expensive cache memory to the slower and larger
main memory and secondary storage devices.
• Input/output systems allow the computer system to communicate with external devices
such as keyboards, printers, and disk drives.
• Networking capabilities allow computer systems to connect to each other and share
resources over a network.

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

• Computer architects must consider factors such as performance, power consumption,

cost, and scalability when designing and implementing computer systems.
• They must also take into account the needs of the users and the applications that will
run on the system.
• Computer architecture plays a critical role in determining the performance and
efficiency of a computer system, and it is constantly evolving to meet the demands of
new technologies and applications.

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

STRUCTURE

• Generally, computer architecture consist of the following

• Processor
• Memory
• Peripherals

• All the above parts are connected with the help of system bus, which consist of address
bus, data bus and control bus.
• The following diagram depicts a computer architecture:

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

TYPES OF COMPUTER ARCHITECTURES

• There are various categories of architecture that exist in our computer systems:

1. Von Neumann Architecture

2. Havard Architecture
3. Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
4. Microarchitecture
5. System Design

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

VON NEUMANN ARCHITECTURE

• John Von Neumann developed this architecture in 1945.

• The computers we are using nowadays are based on the Von Neumann Architecture
• It renders a unique design for the electronic digital system having the following
components:
• A CPU with ALU and processor with attached registers
• A memory that can store data and instructions
• External mass storage or secondary storage
• A control unit with the ability to hold instructions in the program counter (PC) or Instruction Register
(IR)
• Input and Output mechanisms and peripherals
• The Von Neumann’s design thus constitutes the foundation of the modern computer

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

VON NEUMANN ARCHITECTURE

• The Von Neumann Architecture is based of stored program computer concept

• Where instruction data and program data are stored in the same memory
• Example

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 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

COMPONENTS OF THE VON NEUMANN ARCHITECTURE

• The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• The Control Unit (CU)
• Registers
• Buses
• Memory Unit
• Input and Output Unit

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

VON NEUMANN ARCHITECTURE

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

SYSTEM BUS

A system bus is a single computer bus that connects the major components of a computer
system, combining the functions of a data bus to carry information, an address bus to
determine where it should be sent or read from, and a control bus to determine its
operation.
Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia
 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE CPU

• This is the electronic circuit responsible for executing the instructions of a computer
program
• It is also called the microprocessor or the processor
• Contains the ALU, CU and various registers
• The ALU allows arithmetic and logical operations to be carried out.

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 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE CONTROL UNIT

• The control unit controls the operations of the computer, ALU, memory and I/O devices,
telling them how to respond to the program instruction it has just read and interpreted
from the main memory.
• It also provides the timing and control signals required by other computer components.

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 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE REGISTERS

• These are high-speed storage areas in the

CPU
• All data must be stored in the registers
before it can be processed

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 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

TYPES OF REGISTERS

• Memory Address Register (MAR): Holds the memory location of data that needs to be
accessed
• Memory Data Register (MDR): Holds the data that is being transformed to and from
memory.
• Accumulator (AC): Where intermediate arithmetic and logic results are stored.
• Program Counter (PC): contains the address of the next instruction to be executed.

To see these registers in action, we need to understand the fetch execute cycle in the next
slide.

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE FETCH EXECUTE CYCLE

• The basic operation of a computer is called the ‘fetch-execute’ cycle.

• The CPU is designed to understand a set of instructions - the instruction set.
• It fetches the instructions from the main memory and executes them.
• This is done repeatedly from when the computer is booted up to when it is shut down.
• The fetch-execute cycle consists of three steps:

1. Fetch: The CPU fetches the next instruction from memory. The instruction is located at the address
stored in the program counter (PC) register. The PC is then incremented to point to the next
instruction in memory.
2. Decode: The CPU decodes the instruction that was fetched. The instruction is interpreted to
determine what operation should be performed and what data is needed.
3. Execute: The CPU performs the operation specified by the instruction and updates the program
counter to point to the next instruction.

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE FETCH EXECUTE CYCLE

• This cycle repeats continuously, with the CPU fetching, decoding, and executing
instructions one at a time, in sequence.
• The fetch-execute cycle is fundamental to the operation of a CPU and is what allows a
computer to execute programs and perform computations.

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE FETCH EXECUTE CYCLE

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE BUSES

• This is also known as the system bus

• A system bus is a communication pathway that connects the different components of a
computer system, including the CPU, memory, input/output devices, and other
peripherals.
• It is a physical set of wires or traces on a printed circuit board that allows data to be
transmitted between the different components.

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE BUSES

• There are three main types of system buses in a computer system:

•Data Bus:
•The data bus is used to transfer data between the different components of a computer system.
•It is a bidirectional bus that allows data to flow in both directions.

•Address Bus:
•The address bus is used to specify the memory location or input/output port that is being accessed.
•It is a unidirectional bus that carries the address of the memory location or port.

•Control Bus:
•The control bus is used to transmit control signals between the different components of a computer
system.
•It carries signals such as read/write signals, interrupt signals, and clock signals.

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 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

THE MEMORY UNIT

• The memory unit consists of RAM

• Sometimes referred to as primary/main memory
• Directly accessible by the CPU
• RAM is split into partitions
• Each partition consists of an address and its content (both in
binary form)
• The address will uniquely identify every location in the memory

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia

 CHAPTER 2 | COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE

I/O UNIT
• An I/O (input/output) unit is a component of a computer system that manages the
communication between the CPU (central processing unit) and external devices such as storage
devices, network devices, and input/output devices.
• The I/O unit contains input/output controllers that are responsible for controlling the flow of data
between the computer system and external devices. It also contains input/output interfaces that
allow external devices to communicate with the computer system.
• When an external device wants to communicate with the computer system, it sends a signal to
the I/O controller, which in turn sends a request to the CPU. The CPU then sends a signal back to
the I/O controller, which manages the transfer of data between the computer system and the
external device.
• The I/O unit is responsible for ensuring that data is transferred between the computer system
and external devices in a timely and efficient manner. It also provides an interface for the user to
interact with the computer system, allowing them to input data and receive output from the
computer.
Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia
THANK YOU

Mathew Abisai |University of Namibia