Download Microprocessor - Computer Architecture - Past Exam and more Exams Computer Architecture and Organization in PDF only on Docsity!
Cork Institute of Technology
Higher Certificate in Science in Computing (ACCS) – Stage 1
(NFQ Level 6)
Summer 2006
Computer Architecture
(Time 3 Hours)
Answer ANY FIVE questions. Examiners: Mr. Z. Sherwani All questions carry equal marks. Ms. M. Meagher Ms. A. Brown
Basic/Scientific Calculators/PDA’s or any computing device NOT allowed.
Q1. (a) Describe a simple microprocessor (CPU), using a diagram and explain the function of each component. (6 Marks) (b) What is a machine cycle? Explain each stage with reference to the components of a CPU using a simple diagram. (5 Marks) (c) Explain what is meant by Assembly Language, Machine Language and how they differ from high level language code. (3 Marks) (d) Using the simple instructions in the Appendix give the low level code for the following high level code. a=1; f=1; while (a <= 5) { f = f * a; a = a + 1; } (6 Marks)
Q2. (a) The design constraints on a computer’s memory can be summed up by how much , how fast and how expensive? Discuss how relevant the previous statement is in a modern PC. (8 Marks) (b) Explain the terms static and dynamic random access memories (SRAM & DRAM). Briefly explain their architecture and where they are used in a modern PC system. (6 Marks) (c) What is a ROM memory? Write a short note on it and also explain the various types of ROM. (6 Marks)
Q3. (a) Explain what is an Operating System? At the simplest level, what are the two things done by an operating system? (4 Marks) (b) Explain what is meant by the following terms and give an example of an Operating System that has the term as a feature. (i) Single user-single tasking (ii) Single user-multi tasking (4 Marks) (c) Write down at least the four tasks/functions of a modern PC based operating system. (4 Marks) (d) Write a note describing the SYSTEM, AGP and PCI Buses in a modern computer. (8 Marks)
Q4. (a) Express the following Decimal numbers in the format as described. (i) -30 in 8 bit signed Binary. (ii) 127 in Hexadecimal. (iii) 128 in Octal. (3 Marks) (b) Express the following Decimal numbers in both 1’s and 2’s complement using 8 bits. -20, 25, 50, -120 (8 Marks) (c) Perform the following operations using Two’s compliment representation with 8 bits. The numbers below are in decimal. Comment on any difficulties encountered. -35 - 15, -70 - 75, 25 - 35. (6 Marks) (d) What is the range of numbers that can be represented using n bits and one’s complement representation. (3 Marks)
Appendix.
Here's the set of assembly language instructions that the designer might create for the simple microprocessor in our example:
1 LOADA mem - Load register A from memory address 2 LOADB mem - Load register B from memory address 3 CONB con - Load a constant value into register B 4 SAVEB mem - Save register B to memory address 5 SAVEC mem - Save register C to memory address 6 ADD - Add A and B and store the result in C 7 SUB - Subtract A and B and store the result in C 8 MUL - Multiply A and B and store the result in C 9 DIV - Divide A and B and store the result in C 10 COM - Compare A and B and store the result in test 11 JUMP addr - Jump to an address 12 JEQ addr - Jump, if equal, to address 13 JNEQ addr - Jump, if not equal, to address 14 JG addr - Jump, if greater than, to address 15 JGE addr - Jump, if greater than or equal, to address 16 JL addr - Jump, if less than, to address 17 JLE addr - Jump, if less than or equal, to address 18 STOP - Stop execution 19 / add more if you like but describe them /
