Modern CPU Architecture
Modern CPU Architecture
CPU
ARCHITECTUR
E
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Computing
01 What is a CPU? 03 Abstraction Layers
We discuss the origins and Here, we discuss
concepts related to the computing abstraction
layers.
CPU
Instruction Set
02 History of the CPU 04 Architecture
We delve into the history We discuss ISA here.
of CPU here.
0
1
WHAT IS A
CPU?
We discuss the origins and concepts
related to the CPU
WHAT IS A CPU?
Definition
The central processing unit is often called the brain
of the computer. A CPU turns inputs from your
memory like a photo in your hard drive to outputs
on your peripherals like your monitor, printer,
projector, speaker and other output devices. The
first digital computer was first created in 1946
called ENIAC, by this time computers were very
fragile, slow , and very large. The Central
Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary component of
a computer that acts as its “control center.
THE ENIAC
Definition
The Electronic Numeric Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was the first
ever created digital computer in the year 1946. This was known as the
first ever general-purpose digital computer. It was seen as a very large,
slow and fragile computer and relatively expensive. It covered 1800
square feet and weighed almost 30 tons, this computers were built using
vacuum tube technology which is often called the first-generation
computers which was also a large computer.
COMPUTER BUG
DEFINITION
A bug was said to be an unexpected problem with a software or a
hardware. It was first discovered by the famous computer pioneer
scientist Grace Hopper on September 9th 1947. But this was surprisingly
not no ordinary ‘software bug’ but was in fact a real-life moth that was
causing issues in the computer hardware. This problems often come
about as a result of external interference with the programs
performance that was not anticipated by the developer. Minor bugs can
cause problems like freezing apps or error messages. Many bugs can
affect a system functionality but one of the most common types is a
crash .
INTEL (Integrated Electronics)
2. Firmware Layer
Description: Low-level software closely tied to
hardware.
Key Point: Manages hardware resources directly
and provides a foundation for higher layers.
5. Application Layer
Description: End-user software like word
processors, browsers, and games.
Key Point: Directly interacts with users, providing
specific functionality for tasks.
COMPUTING ABSTRACTION LAYERS
Hardware Layer
Logic Gates
Definition: Basic building blocks of digital circuits;
implement Boolean functions.
Types: Includes Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs), Floating Point Units (FPUs), Load/Store Units, and more.
3. Load/Store Unit
Key Insight: Execution units are integral to the CPU’s performance, handling
specific tasks that together enable efficient and effective processing of instructions.
INSTRUCTION SET ARCHITECTURE
OVERVIEW
● Definition: A set of instructions that a CPU can execute, acting as the interface between software and hardware.
● Components: Includes machine language instructions, data types, addressing modes, registers, and interrupt
handling.
Key Elements:
1. Instructions
○ Function: Defines the operations the CPU can perform, such as arithmetic, logical, control, and I/O
operations.
○ Importance: Determines the capabilities and efficiency of a CPU.
2. Registers
● Function: Small, fast storage locations within the CPU used to hold data temporarily.
● Importance: Facilitates quick data access and manipulation during instruction execution.
3. Data Types
● Function: Specifies the types of data the CPU can handle, such as integers, floating-point numbers, and
INSTRUCTION SET ARCHITECTURE
4. Addressing Modes
○ Function: Defines how the CPU addresses memory locations for data fetching.
○ Importance: Influences instruction efficiency and the complexity of the CPU
design.
5. Interrupt Handling
Key Insight: The ISA is crucial for software compatibility and CPU performance, providing
a standardized interface for developers to write programs that run on different hardware.
THANKS
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