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Computer Systems Architecture Answer Sheet 2

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Kristian Baguisa
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8 views

Computer Systems Architecture Answer Sheet 2

Uploaded by

Kristian Baguisa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1. Explain the concept of pipelining in CPU design.

Answer:
Pipelining is a technique used to increase CPU throughput by overlapping the execution of
multiple instructions. The CPU pipeline is divided into stages, such as fetch, decode, execute,
memory access, and write-back. Each stage processes a different instruction simultaneously,
allowing the CPU to execute multiple instructions in parallel and improve performance.

2. What are the differences between Harvard and von Neumann


architectures?
Answer:
● Harvard Architecture: Uses separate memory and data paths for instructions and data.
This allows simultaneous access to both instruction and data, improving performance.
● von Neumann Architecture: Uses a single memory and data path for both instructions
and data. Instructions and data share the same bus, which can lead to bottlenecks but
simplifies design and control.

3. What is virtual memory, and why is it important?


Answer:
Virtual memory is a memory management technique that gives an application the illusion of
having a large, contiguous block of memory, while physically it may be fragmented and spread
across different storage levels. It uses both hardware (MMU) and software (OS) to manage
memory. Virtual memory is important because it allows for efficient utilization of physical
memory, provides isolation between processes, and enables systems to run larger applications
than the physical memory could support.

4. What is Direct Memory Access (DMA), and how does it improve system
performance?
Answer:
Direct Memory Access (DMA) is a feature that allows peripheral devices to transfer data directly
to and from memory without involving the CPU. This offloads the data transfer workload from
the CPU, allowing it to perform other tasks while the transfer is happening. DMA improves
system performance by increasing data transfer speed and freeing up CPU resources.

5. What are input/output (I/O) subsystems, and what role do they play in
computer architecture?
Answer:
I/O subsystems are components that manage data exchange between the computer system
and external devices like keyboards, mice, printers, and storage devices. They include
hardware (I/O controllers, buses) and software (drivers, I/O management in the OS). The role of
I/O subsystems is to ensure efficient, reliable communication between the computer and
external devices, enabling the system to interact with the outside world and perform a wide
range of tasks.

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