Computer Architecture: Chapter # 05
Computer Architecture: Chapter # 05
Architecture
Q # 01 (LONG) What is Computer
Architecture? Describe components of
Computer Architecture?
John Von
Neuman Architecture 1951
Components of a Computer:
A computer consists of following main components.
• Input/Output(I/O) Unit.
• Central Processing Unit(CPU).
• Memory Unit.
• Input/Output Devices.
• Bus Interconnection.
• Register.
Peri
1) Input/Out put (I/O) Unit:
The I/O unit is an important
component of a computer system. It is a special hardware
component. It works as an interface between CPU and I/O
devices. The I/O unit is connected to the bus. The processor and
all other devices are connected to the I/O unit. I/O unit controls
different devices attached with computer. It handles the
processor’s communication with its peripherals (I/O) devices.
These are disk drivers, keyboard, monitor, printer etc.
2) Central Processing Unit(CPU):
CPU is also called brain of computer. It is a small chip placed
on motherboard. It controls all the processing of data inside
the computer. It also manages different parts of computer.
There are three main components of CPU: CU, ALU and
Registers.
(a) Control Unit (CU):
Control Unit coordinates with the input and output devices of
a computer. It directs the computer to carry out stored
program instructions by communicating with the ALU and the
registers. It organizes the processing of data and instructions.
To maintain the proper sequence of processing data, the
control unit uses clock inputs. The basic function of control unit
is to fetch the instruction stored in the devices involved in it
3) Memory Unit:
Memory is that part of the computer, Which
holds data and instructions, Memory is an integral component
of the CPU. The memory unit consists of Primary memory and
Secondary memory.
a)Primary Memory:
Primary memory or main memory of the
computer is used to store the data and instructions during
execution of the instructions. The primary memory is of two
types ,Random Access memory(RAM) and Read Only Memory
(ROM).
b) Secondary Memory:
Secondary memory, also known as
secondary storage or auxiliary memory.This is used for storage
data and instructions permanently e.g. hard disks, CDs, DVDs,
etc.
4) Input/Output Devices:
Input and output devices allow the
computer system to interact with the outside world by
moving data into and out of the system. An input device is
used to bring data into the system. Some input devices are
Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Bar code reader, Graphics
tablet.
An output device is used to send data out of the
system. Some output devices are Monitor, Printer, Speaker.
5) Bus Interconnection:
CPU sends data, instructions and
information to the components inside the computer as well as
to the peripherals and devices attached to it. Bus is a set of
electronic signal pathways that allows information and signals
to travel between components inside or outside of a
computer.