Computer Architecture Examples and Hierarchy

By Cheuk Wong

Hierarchy Layers of components made out of smaller

parts A higher layer will abstract the immediate

lower layer We can design complex systems using

higher abstraction layer without worrying about the individual components of the lower layers

Can be used in both hardware as well as software

Example of Software hierarchy From Highest to Lowest

Applications: MS Powerpoints, Firefox, etc High level program languages: Java, C/C++, etc Interpreted Languages: LISP, ProLog Assembly Languages: x86 Machine Code: Binaries Flip-flips and Logic Gates Transistors

We can work with any of the layers without knowing how the lower layers work.

Hardware Hierarchy From Highest to Lower

Computer System: Monitor, keyboard, “black box”

Integrated Circuit: CPU, Memory system Chip Level: ALU, Registers, Cache, RAM Flip-flops, Multiplexers, Decoders, Adders NOT-gate, AND-gate, NAND-gates, OR-gates,

NOR-gate MOSFET Transistors, NPN-Transistors, PNP-

Transistors Again, we can work with any layers without

worrying about the lower layers.

Some more Hierarchy

Again, from highest to lower Internet LAN, PAN Computer Systems

Moving on to Computer Architectures...

Computer Architectures Computer Architectures is the conceptual

design and fundamental operational structure of a computer system -Wikipedia

Deals with the Integrated Circuit and Chip Level layers of the Hardware Hierarchy

Mainly focuses on how the CPU interact with other parts of the computer, such as accessing main memory or interfacing with peripheral hardwares

Ultimate goal is to increase performance

Subcategories of Comp. Arch. Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): Provide a set

of language structure and data type Ex. x86 Will not be discussed since this is cover in CS47

Micro-architecture: Describes how multiplexers, decoders, adders, transistors, etc interact with each others. The ISA will be depended on Micro-arch is designed.

System Design: Describes how all the hardwares are connected to each other (e.g. buses, memory controller, etc)

Micro-architecture

Describes how multiplexers, decoders, etc are connected to each other.

2-Bit ALU

A Simple Logic Board

System Design

System Design: Describes how all the hardwares are connected to each other

Components: Functional Units and Interconnections

Functional Units: CPU, I/O devices Interconnections: Buses, Motherboard,

Bridges

Terms Motherboard: The main circuit board that

contains the CPU and the buses Bus: A common pathway that connects a

number of devices Bridge: A pathway that connects the buses Northbridge: AKA Memory control hub,

connects the CPU to main memory and GPU(Video cards). This is on the motherboard.

Southbridge: AKA I/O Control hub, connects the Northbridge to Power management, PCI bus I/O devices such as USB, and other devices

Simple System Design

Non-Bridged System Design

A Graphic-Centric Design

17-inch MacBook Pro

Source

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/HardwareDrivers/Conceptual/17inMacBookPro_0706/Articles/17inMacBookProArch.html

http://www.ixbt.com/mainboard/images/nforce700i/750i-sli-block.png

http://research.microsoft.com/~rcutler/pub/FRAME/Developing_Real-Time_Apps_files/image003.jpg

http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/cpu/pentium4-1400/chipset-scheme.jpg

http://www.wikipedia.com