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Lesson 2: The CPU

Unit 2: Computer Architecture

 Plenary

Utility software

Last lesson you learnt about the role of a

key piece of system software: the
operating system.

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 Plenary

Utility software

Utility software provides some enhanced

functionality for a computer system.

They can be chosen and installed by the

user, and aren’t necessary for a computer
to function. They add to the performance
of the computer.

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 Plenary

Utility software

● Compression software
● Encryption software
● An email application
● Defragmentation software
● Antivirus software
● Backup tools

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 Objectives

Lesson 2: The CPU

In this lesson, you will:
● Describe the basic components of the CPU
● Describe the roles and purpose of each component of the CPU in computation

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 Activity 1

Von Neumann architecture

Computer architecture is a term used to

describe the design of a computer system.

Modern computers use the von Neumann

architecture designed by John von
Neumann.

Von Neumann was a mathematician

whose research has had a huge impact on
a number of fields.

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 Activity 1

Von Neumann architecture

Before von Neumann

In the beginning, computers were

nowhere near as efficient or small as they
are now.

The instructions they ran were hard-wired,

physical switches that your data went
through. This meant changing one thing in
your program could take months to check.

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 Activity 1

Von Neumann architecture

The stored program concept

Von Neumann proposed a new way to

store and run programs on a computer.

His idea was to store common instructions

in memory alongside the data, making
computers much more versatile. This
architecture has been widely adopted
today.

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 Activity 1

Von Neumann architecture

1. Data and instructions are stored in

memory as binary digits
2. The instructions are fetched from
memory, one at a time in order
(serially)
3. The processor decodes instruction
before it executes it

In order to follow this system, modern

CPUs contain several key components
that all play a role.
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 Activity 1

Von Neumann architecture

The CPU

Input Output

Main Memory

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

CPU stands for central processing unit.

Bus
Clock
Inside of the CPU, there are a number of
key components: Bus
ALU
1. Control unit
Control
2. Arithmetic logic unit Unit
Bus

3. Buses
4. Registers
5. Clock Bus Registers

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Let’s think of each component as a

member of a team working together. You
are going to think about what
characteristics the component would
need as if they were people.

You must make notes on their roles, as

well as what they manage, control, or
store.

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Control unit

The control unit runs the show. It

understands the instructions and tells the
other components what each instruction
Control
needs from them. Unit

What characteristics does the

control unit need?

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Control unit

The control unit is organised, efficient,

and collaborative.

Control
What does it control, manage, or Unit
store?

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Control unit

The control unit is organised, efficient,

and collaborative.

Control
What does it control, manage, or store? Unit

It manages the instructions, and controls

the other components.

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

The ALU is the calculator of the CPU. It

handles mathematical and logical
ALU
operations that are required as part of an
instruction.

What characteristics does the ALU

need to have?

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

The ALU is logical, good with numbers,

and precise.
ALU

What does it manage, control, or

store?

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

The ALU is logical, good with numbers

and precise.
ALU

What does it manage, control, or store?

It manages calculations and logic.

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Clock

Clock
The CPU contains an internal clock that is
used to regulate the number of cycles
carried out per second, and synchronise
the other components.

What characteristics does the clock

need to have?

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Clock

Clock
What characteristics does the clock
need to have?

Punctual, reliable, and good rhythm.

What does it manage?

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Clock

Clock
What characteristics does the clock
need to have?

Punctual, reliable, and good rhythm.

What does it manage?

The cycles per second.

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Registers

These are very small, very fast memory

locations located inside the CPU. There
are a few key registers.

Memory address register (MAR)

Memory data register (MDR)
Current instruction register (CIR) Registers
Program counter (PC)
Accumulator (Acc)
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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Registers

Each stores and manages specific useful

data.

Memory address register

Stores memory addresses used when
searching for data in RAM.
Registers
Memory data register
Stores the data when fetched from
memory. 23
 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Registers

Current instruction register

Holds the binary representation of the
instruction to be executed.

Program counter
This register counts up as each instruction
is executed, keeping track of how many Registers
instructions are in a program.

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Registers

Accumulator
Stores important data being used in
calculations.

What characteristics do registers

need to have?
Registers

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Registers

Fast and reliable memory, also good at

sharing.

Registers

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Buses
Bus

A CPU bus is a set of parallel wires that

transport data between the components Bus
inside the processor and memory.
Bus

What characteristics do buses need

to have?
Bus

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Buses
Bus

Social, fast, and efficient.

Bus
What do buses manage, store, or
control? Bus

Bus

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Buses
Bus

Social, fast, and efficient.

Bus
What do buses manage, store, or
control? Bus

The manage the flow of data around the

CPU and main memory. Bus

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 Activity 3

Components of the CPU

For each of the components of the CPU, choose a memorable image to represent it and
sketch it in your notes. Justify why the image is suitable next to it. You can use these for
inspiration, but it’s better if you make them up for yourself.

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

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 Activity 2

Inside the CPU

Component Stores Manages Controls

Control unit The instructions. The other components.

Arithmetic logic unit Arithmetic and logical operations.

Calculations and comparisons.

Registers Memory addresses (MAR)

Data from memory (MDR)
Current instruction (CIR)
A count of instructions (PC)

Buses The flow of data around the CPU

and to and from main memory.

Clock The cycles per second.

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 Summary

Next lesson

In this lesson, you… Next lesson, you will…

Learnt about the components of the CPU Understand the cycle that a processor goes
through when executing instructions

Learn about the role of the components

inside the CPU during the fetch-decode-
execute cycle

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