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A-Level Glossary - 01 Computer Architecture

The document provides definitions for key terms related to computer architecture and the central processing unit (CPU). It defines components of the CPU like the arithmetic logic unit, control unit, and registers. It also defines related concepts like buses that connect components, the fetch-decode-execute cycle that the CPU follows, and input/output devices. Memory and interrupt handling are also summarized.

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Mugerwa Charles
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232 views3 pages

A-Level Glossary - 01 Computer Architecture

The document provides definitions for key terms related to computer architecture and the central processing unit (CPU). It defines components of the CPU like the arithmetic logic unit, control unit, and registers. It also defines related concepts like buses that connect components, the fetch-decode-execute cycle that the CPU follows, and input/output devices. Memory and interrupt handling are also summarized.

Uploaded by

Mugerwa Charles
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Teach Computer Science

A-level

Computer
architecture

teachcomputerscience.com
Glossary

Register that stores the result of arithmetic


Accumulator and logical operations performed by the
processor.
A part of a processor that is responsible for
Arithmetic and logic arithmetic functions such as addition,
unit subtraction, multiplication, etc. and logic
operations such as AND, OR, NOT, etc.
The connections between the processor,
Buses memory and input-output devices
responsible for transferring data and signals.

CPU consists of a control unit, ALU and cache


Central Processing
memory. It is responsible for processing the
Unit (CPU)
instructions given to a computer.

A part of the processor that is responsible


Control Unit (CU) for controlling the memory, processor and
input-output devices.

CIR (Current A register that contains the current


Instruction Register) instruction carried out by the processor.

The processor of fetching data and


instructions from the memory and storing it
Fetch-decode-
in suitable registers, decoding them and
execute cycle
executing them that the CPU performs
continuously.
A device that converts the signals sent by
Input device humans into a form that can be understood
by the computer.

teachcomputerscience.com
A standardised form of connection defining the
Interface properties of connection such as number of pins,
voltage required and different signals.
A signal sent from a device or software to the
Interrupt processor which temporarily stops the current
process and initiates an interrupt service routine.

Memory Address A register that stores the address of data for READ or
Register (MAR) WRITE operations.

Memory Data A register that stores the data for READ or WRITE
Register (MDR) operations.

A device that converts the information from the


Output device computer into a form that is understandable by
humans.

Processor contains ALU (Arithmetic and Logic unit)


Processor
and Control Unit (CU).

PC (Program A register that contains the location of the instruction


Counter) that is to be executed next.

Register High-speed data storage areas in the computer.

A method of interrupt processing by pointing to the


Vectored interrupt
address where the instructions for interrupt service
mechanism
routine start.
An architecture that shows the components and
von Neumann connections of a computer in detail. This architecture
architecture represents a shared memory space for program and
data.

Memory is divided into several fixed segments called


Word
words.

teachcomputerscience.com

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