Computer Organization and

Architecture
Unit 1 : Overview

Prepared by :
Prof. Khushbu Chauhan
Computer Engg. Dept.
MPSTME, NMIMS
 Outlines
• Introduction
• General Organization and architecture
• Structural/functional view of a computer
• Computer Functional Components
 Introduction
• A computer is an electronic device that used for storing, processing and retrieving the
information. It is an Electronic device which accept data from User and manipulates or
process it according to instruction which gives correct output. It can solve highly
complicated problems quickly and accurately.

• A computer is a complex system; contemporary 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 [SIMO96]. 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.
 Introduction
• Computer architecture refers to those attributes of a system visible to a
programmer or, put another way, those attributes that have a direct impact
on the logical execution of a program. It is a design implementation for the
various parts of a computer. A term that is often used interchangeably with
computer architecture is instruction set architecture (ISA). The ISA defines
instruction formats, instruction opcodes, registers, instruction and data
memory; the effect of executed instructions on the registers and memory;
and an algorithm for controlling instruction execution.
 Introduction
• Computer organization refers to the operational units and their
interconnections that realize the architectural specifications. It deals with
structural relationship. Examples of architectural attributes include the
instruction set, the number of bits used to represent various data types
(e.g., numbers, characters), I/O mechanisms, and techniques for
addressing memory. Organizational attributes include those hardware
details transparent to the programmer, such as control signals; interfaces
between the computer and peripherals; and the memory technology used.
Block Diagram of Computer
Computer Evolution
 Structure and Function
• The hierarchical nature of complex systems is essential to both their design and
their description. The designer need only deal with a particular level of the
system at a time. At each level, the system consists of a set of components and
their interrelationships. The behavior at each level depends only on a simplified,
abstracted characterization of the system at the next lower level. At each level,
the designer is concerned with structure and function:
• Structure: The way in which the components are interrelated.
• Function: The operation of each individual component as part of the structure
 Structure
• simple single-processor computer provides a hierarchical view of the internal
structure of a traditional single-processor computer. There are four main structural
components:

• 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
The Computer: Top-Level Structure
• System interconnection (Buses):
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
• Major structural components are as follows:

• 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

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiUNjhzVJv4
• multicore computer structure: Contemporary computers generally have multiple

processors. When these processors all reside on a single chip, the term multicore

computer is used, and each processing unit (consisting of a control unit, ALU,

registers, and perhaps cache) is called a core.

• Central processing unit (CPU): That portion of a computer that fetches and executes

instructions. It consists of an ALU, a control unit, and registers. In a system with a

single processing unit, it is often simply referred to as a processor

• Core: An individual processing unit on a processor chip. A core may be
equivalent in functionality to a CPU on a single-CPU system. Other
specialized processing units, such as one optimized for vector and matrix
operations, are also referred to as cores.
• Processor: A physical piece of silicon containing one or more cores. The
processor is the computer component that interprets and executes
instructions. If a processor contains multiple cores, it is referred to as a
multicore processor
 Function
• Both the structure and functioning of a
computer are, in essence, simple. In
general terms, there are only four basic
functions that a computer can perform:
• Data processing: Data may take a
wide variety of forms, and the
range of processing requirements
is broad. However, we shall see
that there are only a few
fundamental methods or types of
data processing.
• Data storage: Even if the computer is processing
data on the fly (i.e., data come in and get
processed, and the results go out immediately),
the computer must temporarily store at least
those pieces of data that are being worked on at
any given moment. Thus, there is at least a short-
term data storage function. Equally important, the
computer performs a long-term data storage
function. Files of data are stored on the computer
for subsequent retrieval and update
• Data movement: The computer’s operating
environment consists of devices that serve as
either sources or destinations of data. When data
are received from or delivered to a device that is
directly connected to the computer, the process is
known as input– output (I/O), and the device is
referred to as a peripheral. When data are moved
over longer distances, to or from a remote device,
the process is known as data communications.
• Control: Within the computer, a
control unit manages the
computer’s resources and
orchestrates the performance of
its functional parts in response to
instructions.
Computer Generation
Computer Components: Top-Level View
• At a top level, a computer consists of CPU (central processing unit), memory, and
I/O components, with one or more modules of each type. These components are
interconnected in some fashion to achieve the basic function of the computer,
which is to execute programs. Thus, at a top level, we can characterize a
computer system by describing (1) the external behavior of each component,
that is, the data and control signals that it exchanges with other components,
and (2) the interconnection structure and the controls required to manage the
use of the interconnection structure.
Discussion…
Thank You