CHAPTER 1

Computer Systems Architecture

Overview
Typical Computer Ad

▪ Is the computer fast enough to run necessary programs?

▪ Is the computer cost-effective?
▪ Will it be obsolete in 6 months?

Chapter 1 Computer Systems 1-2

Input-Process-Output Model (IPO)

• Input: keyboard, mouse, scanner, punch cards

• Processing: CPU executes the computer program
• Output: monitor, printer, fax machine
• Storage: hard drive, optical media, diskettes, magnetic tape

Chapter 1 Computer Systems 1-3

Architecture Components
▪ Hardware
▪ Processes data by executing instructions
▪ Provides input and output
▪ Software
▪ Instructions executed by the system
▪ Data
▪ Fundamental representation of facts and
observations
▪ Communications
▪ Sharing data and processing among different
systems

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Hardware Component
▪ Input/Output devices
▪ Storage Devices
▪ CPU
▪ ALU: arithmetic/logic unit
▪ CU: control unit
▪ Interface unit
▪ Memory
▪ Short-term storage for CPU calculations

Chapter 1 Computer Systems 1-5

Typical Personal Computer
System

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CPU: Central Processing Unit
▪ ALU: arithmetic/logic unit
▪ Performs arithmetic and Boolean logical
calculations
▪ CU: control unit
▪ Controls processing of instructions
▪ Controls movement of data within the CPU
▪ Interface unit
▪ Moves instructions and data between the CPU
and other hardware components
▪ Bus: bundle of wires that carry signals and power
between different components

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Memory
▪ Also known as primary storage, working
storage, and RAM (random access memory)
▪ Consists of bits, each of which hold a value of
either 0 or 1 (8 bits = 1 byte)
▪ Holds both instructions and data of a
computer program (stored program concept)

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Software Component
▪ Applications
▪ Operating System
▪ API: application program
interface
▪ File management
▪ I/O
▪ Kernel
� Memory management
� Resource scheduling
� Program communication
� Security
▪ Network Module

Chapter 1 Computer Systems 1-9

Communications Component
▪ Hardware
▪ Communication channels
� Physical connections between computer systems
� Examples: wire cable, phone lines, fiber optic cable,
infrared light, radio waves
▪ Interface hardware
� Handles communication between the computer and the
communication channel
� Modem or network interface card (NIC)
▪ Software
▪ Network protocols: HTTP, TCP/IP, ATAPI

Chapter 1 Computer Systems 1-10

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
▪ Control signals, interfaces, memory technology.
▪ e.g. Is there a hardware multiply unit or is it done
by repeated addition?
Architecture & Organization
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
Operations: Data movement
Operations: Storage
Operation:
Processing from/to storage
Operation:
Processing from storage to I/O
Structure
▪ The Computer
▪ CPU
� Controls the operation of the
computer and performs its data
processing functions.
▪ Main memory
� Stores data
▪ I/O
� Moves data between the
computer and its external
environment
▪ System interconnection
� Provides for communication
among CPU, main memory,
and I/O
Structure - Top Level

Compute
Peripheral
r
s
Central Main
Processing Memory
Unit

Computer
Systems
Interconnection

Input
Output
Communicatio
n
lines
Structure - The CPU

CPU

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

Control
Unit
Structure - The Control Unit

Control
Unit

CP
U Sequencin
AL
U g
Contro
Interna Logic
l
l
Unit
Bus Control Unit
Register
Registers and
s
Decoders

Control
Memory
Outline of the Topics
▪ Computer Evolution and Performance
▪ Computer Interconnection Structures
▪ Input/Output
▪ Internal Memory
▪ External Memory
▪ Computer Arithmetic
▪ Control Unit Operation
▪ Operating Systems Support