VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: COSC 257

COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM

Lecture 1 25th Sept. 2023

Martin Doe
Call/WhatsApp: 0242780967
mdoe@vvu.edu.gh
Department of Information Technology
Valley View University
 COURSE CODE: COSC 257
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM

Introduction to Computer Architecture

By the end of this lecture, learners will be able to:
✓Explain what computer architecture is.
✓Distinguish between computer architecture and computer organisation.
✓Explain into details the key aspects of computer architecture.
✓Explain at least 5 key roles of computer architecture.
✓Account the historical development of computer architecture.
✓Identify at least 5 types of computer architecture based on various
criteria related to the organization, design, and functional characteristics
of the computer system
Introduction to Computer Architecture
Introduction to Computer Architecture
 What is Computer architecture ?
Computer architecture is the organisation of the components which make up a
computer system and the meaning of the operations which guide its function.
It defines what is seen on the machine interface, which is targeted by
programming languages and their compilers.

Computer architecture can also refers to the structure, design, and

organization of computer systems, including hardware and software
components, and how they work together to execute instructions and perform
tasks. It involves understanding the internal workings of a computer system,
its various subunits, their interconnections, and how data and instructions
flow between them.
 Computer architecture and computer organization?
Computer architecture is the design of computer systems, including all major
subsystems, including the CPU and the memory and I/O systems.

Computer organization is like the actual construction and arrangement of the

building, following the architectural design. It involves the implementation of
the computer architecture using physical components and materials.

Computer organization focuses on the physical aspects of the system,

optimizing factors like speed, cost, power consumption, and efficiency based
on the architectural specifications.
 Key aspects of computer architecture
Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): The set of instructions a processor can execute and
their formats.
Processor Design: The design of the central processing unit (CPU), including its
components like arithmetic logic units (ALUs), registers, and control units.
Memory Hierarchy: The organization of different levels of memory (eg. cache, RAM,
storage) and their relationship in terms of speed and capacity.
Input/Output Systems: How data is input into the computer and how results are output,
including devices like keyboards, displays, and network interfaces.
Bus Systems: The pathways that transfer data and control signals between various
components, like the data bus, address bus, and control bus.
Evolution of computer architecture generation

• First Generations (1940s - 1950s) vacuum

tube based
- In the 1940s, the first electronic computers
emerged, such as the ENIAC (Electronic
Numerical Integrator computer) and the
EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable
Automatic Computer).
- Key innovation: Transition from mechanical
to electronic components, enabling faster
calculations.
Evolution of computer architecture generation

• Second Generations (1950s-1960s) Transistor

based
- Development of transistors in the late 1940s led to
the second generation of computers.
- IBM introduced the IBM 700 series, featuring
transistors.
- Key innovation: Transistors replaced vacuum tubes,
reducing size, heat generation, and power
consumption.
Evolution of computer architecture generation

• Third Generations (1960s - 1970s) Integrated

circuit based
- The 1960s saw the advent of integrated circuits (ICs),
which contained multiple transistors on a single chip.
- IBM System/360, DEC PDP-11, and early
minicomputers emerged.
- Key innovation: ICs drastically increased computing
power and reduced cost.
Evolution of computer architecture generation

• Fourth Generations (1970s - 1980s) VLSI

microprocessor based
- The microprocessor was invented in the early 1970s,
enabling the creation of personal computers (PCs).
- IBM introduced the IBM PC in 1981.
- Key innovation: Microprocessors brought computing
power to the masses.
Evolution of computer architecture generation

• FifthGenerations (1980s - Present) ULSI

microprocessor based
- The 1980s and beyond saw the proliferation of
personal computers, laptops, and mobile devices.
- The Internet became a global phenomenon in the
1990s, changing the way people access and share
information.
- Key innovation: Connectivity, mobility, and the
Internet transformed computing and communication.
Evolution of computer architecture generation

• Recent and Ongoing Innovations (2000s - Present)

- Multi-core processors: CPUs with multiple cores for

parallel processing.
- Cloud computing: Remote storage and computing
resources accessible via the Internet.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning:
Advancements in data analysis and automation.
- Quantum computing: Experimental computers that
leverage quantum mechanics for computation.
 Types of computer architecture
1. Von Neumann Architecture
Von Neumann architecture(Princeton) is named after mathematician and
physicist John von Neumann, is a classic and widely used architecture. It
consists of a CPU, memory, input/output, and a control unit. Program
instructions and data share the same memory. Instructions are fetched from
memory, decoded by the control unit, and then executed by the ALU. Von
Neumann machine was to numerically solve scientific and engineering
problems involving differential equations, but it has proven remarkably
adaptable to many other classes of problems from weather prediction to
word processing.
Types of computer architecture
Von Neumann Architecture
Types of computer architecture

Main memory(holds instructions and data)

Memory bus

CPU)

Von Neumann Architecture

 Types of computer architecture
2. Harvard Architecture
In the Harvard architecture, there are separate memory units for data and
instructions, allowing the CPU to fetch instructions and data concurrently.
This can result in faster execution times compared to Von Neumann
architecture. The Harvard architecture is a computer architecture design that
separates the storage and processing of program instructions and data into
distinct memory units. Unlike the Von Neumann architecture, which uses a
single shared memory space for both instructions and data, the Harvard
architecture employs separate memory spaces for instructions and data.
Types of computer architecture
Harvard Architecture
 Types of computer architecture
Comparing Harvard Architecture with Von Neumann
 Types of computer architecture
Advantages of Harvard over Von Neumann

❑ Distinct Memory Units

❑ Parallel Access
❑ Reduced Data Hazards
❑ Efficient Instruction Fetching
❑ Increased Bandwidth
❑ Security and Safety
 Types of computer architecture
3. Modified Harvard Architecture
The Modified Harvard Architecture is a blend of Von Neumann and Harvard
architectures. It uses separate memory spaces for data and instructions, but the
instructions can be modified dynamically. Modified Harvard Architecture is a
computer architecture that combines elements of both the Harvard architecture
and the Von Neumann architecture. It aims to integrate the advantages of the
Harvard architecture, such as separate instruction and data memory spaces for
improved performance, with the flexibility of the Von Neumann architecture,
allowing instructions to be modified dynamically during program execution.
 Types of computer architecture
Key features of Modified Harvard
❑ Separate Memory Spaces into instructions and data memory
❑ Dynamic Instruction Modification
❑ Simultaneous Instruction Fetch and Data Access
❑ Hybrid Design
❑ Optimized Code Execution
❑ Instruction and Data Access Control
 Types of computer architecture
4. Pipelined Architecture
Pipelining is a technique where the CPU processes multiple instructions
simultaneously by breaking down the execution into a series of stages. Each
stage handles a specific task, allowing for more efficient instruction processing.

Pipelined architecture is a computer processing approach that enables the

simultaneous execution of multiple instructions by breaking down the
instruction execution process into a series of sequential stages. Each stage of the
pipeline performs a specific task on an instruction. As one instruction completes
a stage, the next instruction can immediately enter that stage.
Types of computer architecture
Key features of pipelined architecture

❑ Stages of Execution
❑ Parallel Processing
❑ Overlap of Instruction Execution
❑ Efficiency and Speedup
❑ Optimized Hardware Design
 The role of computer architecture
1. Defining Hardware Components
2. Allows Performance Optimization
3. Provides Efficiency and Resource Management
4. Ensures Compatibility and Interoperability
5. Provides Scalability
6. Provides hardware-level security
7. Reliability and Fault Tolerance
Q&A
TEST YOUR MIND
 TEST YOUR MIND
1. What is the primary focus of computer architecture?
a. Instruction set design
b. Software development
c. User interface design
d. Network configuration

2. In computer organization, what aspect deals with the design of the data path
and control unit?
a. Control unit
b. Instruction set architecture
c. Memory hierarchy
d. Input/output systems
 TEST YOUR MIND
Q3. Which of the following is a key aspect of computer architecture?
a. Memory hierarchy
b. Database design
c. Algorithm analysis
d. Network protocols

Q4. What role does computer architecture play in system performance?

a. Optimizing system resources
b. Enhancing network security
c. Debugging software applications
d. Managing user interfaces
 TEST YOUR MIND
Q5. Which type of computer architecture allows multiple instructions to be
executed simultaneously?
a. Parallel architecture
b. Von Neumann architecture
c. Harvard architecture
d. RISC architecture
 TEST YOUR MIND
Q1. Explain five key roles of computer architecture, highlighting
how each role contributes to the efficient functioning and
performance of a computer system.

Q2. Account for the historical development of computer architecture,

tracing its evolution from the early computing devices to modern
architectures. Highlight major milestones and influential figures in
this development.

THE END