Computer Architecture - Lecture 4: Processor Design and Control Unit

Date: April 28, 2024

Key Concepts:

Processor: Central processing unit (CPU) responsible for executing instructions.

Instruction Set Architecture (ISA): Interface between hardware and software.
Control Unit: Component of the CPU that manages the execution of instructions.
Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle: Basic operation of the CPU for executing instructions.
Instruction Pipelining: Technique for improving CPU performance by overlapping
instruction execution stages.
Microarchitecture: Implementation details of the CPU design.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Component of the CPU responsible for performing
arithmetic and logic operations.
Register: Small, fast storage locations within the CPU used for temporary data
storage.
Memory Hierarchy: Organization of computer memory into different levels based on
access speed and size.
Lecture Outline:

Introduction to Processor Design

Overview of CPU components and their functions
Importance of instruction set architecture in CPU design
Control Unit
Role of the control unit in instruction execution
Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle and its stages
Instruction Pipelining
Basic concept and benefits of pipelining
Hazards and techniques for handling them
Microarchitecture Design
Implementation details of CPU components
Impact of design choices on performance and efficiency
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Design and operation of ALU
Examples of arithmetic and logic operations
Registers and Memory
Role of registers in CPU operation
Memory hierarchy and its significance in computer performance
Personal Insights:

Recognizing the intricate balance between hardware design and software

functionality in processor architecture.
Need for further exploration of advanced concepts like pipelining and memory
hierarchy optimization.
Excited to delve deeper into topics like cache organization and parallel
processing.
Next Steps:

Review textbook chapters on cache memory and parallel processing for deeper
understanding.
Explore online resources and tutorials on modern CPU architectures.
Work on CPU design projects to gain hands-on experience with microarchitecture
concepts.