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CS 265
Computer Architecture
Wei Lu, Ph.D., P.Eng.
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Part 2: Introduction to Computer Architecture
Our goal:
• have a basic look at architecture of computer, its functions and structure, its history and its terminology
Overview:
• what is a computer?
• computer organization vs. computer architecture?
• hierarchical structure of a computer?
• major functions of a computer?
• “jargon” on computer architecture
• history of computer evolution
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What is Computer
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What is a computer?
Any system that accepts data, processes the data according
to some instructions and produces some resultskeyboard
mouse
display
disk / optical
speakers
.
.
.
printer
network
telephone
cable
wireless
other?
.
.
.
Computera “Black Box” system
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What is a computer?
At the most basic level, a computer is a device
consisting of three pieces:
- A processor to interpret and execute programs
- A memory to store both data and programs
- A mechanism for transferring data to and from the
outside world
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Hierarchical Structure of Computer
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Hierarchical structure of a computer
• We apply a top-down approach to introduce computer architecture
Computers consist of many things besides chips!
User level: program execution on UI
High-level language: programming
Assembly language level: assembly
code generated from level 5
System software level: control
executing process on the system
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Hierarchical structure of a computer
Machine level: a.k.a Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) level
- consists of instructions that are particular to architecture of machine
- programs written in machine language need no compilers, interpreters
or assemblers
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Hierarchical structure of a computer
Control level:
- A control unit decodes and executes instructions and moves data through the system
- Control units can be microprogrammed or hardwired.
- A microprogram is a program written in a low-level language that is implemented
by the hardware; Hardwired control units consist of hardware that directly executes
machine instructions
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Hierarchical structure of a computer
Digital logic level:
- This level is where we find digital circuits (the chips).
- Digital circuits consist of logic gates and wires.
- These components implement the mathematical logic of all other
levels.
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Computer Architecture vs.
Computer Organization
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What is computer architecture?
Refers to those logic attributes of a computer system implementation as
seen by (visible to) a programmer, i.e. how we design a computer
those logic attributes
1. instruction sets
2. number of bits used
to represent various
data types
3. I/O mechanism
4. techniques for
addressing memory
5. others, etc.
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What is computer organization?
Refers to all physical aspects of computer systems, including operational units and their interconnections that realize architectural specifications. Those physical hardware transparent to programmer:e.g. interfaces between computer and peripherals, or control signalsi.e. how does a computer work
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Main Functions of Computer
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In general term, the computer functions are:
Process Data
Store Data
Move Data
Control the function: coordinate how data is used
Data
Movement
Apparatus
Control
Mechanism
Data
Storage
Facility
Data
Processing
Facility
What functions of a computer?
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Data movement:
e.g. keyboard to screen
Data
Movement
Apparatus
Control
Mechanism
Data
Storage
Facility
Data
Processing
Facility
What functions of a computer?
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Data storage:
e.g. Internet download to disk
Data
Movement
Apparatus
Control
Mechanism
Data
Storage
Facility
Data
Processing
Facility
What functions of a computer?
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Data processing from/to storage:
e.g. updating bank statement
Data
Movement
Apparatus
Control
Mechanism
Data
Storage
Facility
Data
Processing
Facility
What functions of a computer?
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Data processing from storage to I/O:
e.g. printing a bank statement
Data
Movement
Apparatus
Control
Mechanism
Data
Storage
Facility
Data
Processing
Facility
What functions of a computer?
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Thank you for your attendanceAny questions?
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