Module 1.1

Module 1
Introduction to Computing Systems

Content
What is Architecture & Organization
 Architecture is those attributes visible to the programmer
◦ Instruction set, number of bits used for data representation,
I/O mechanisms, addressing techniques.
◦ e.g. Is there a multiply instruction?
 Organization is how features are implemented
◦ Control signals, interfaces, memory technology.
◦ e.g. Is there a hardware multiply unit or is it done by
repeated addition?
What is Architecture & Organization
There is no clear distinction between matters related to
computer organization and matters relevant to computer
architecture.
Principle of Equivalence of Hardware and Software:
Anything that can be done with software can also be done

with hardware, and anything that can be done with
hardware can also be done with software.
We Engineer !!!!
 Need to determine what attributes are important for
a new machine
 Need to design a machine to maximize performance
while staying within cost constraints.
 This task has many aspects
 Instruction set design
 Functional organization
 Logic design and implementation
and more
Computer components
At the most basic level, a computer is a device
consisting of three pieces:
◦ A processor to interpret and execute programs
◦ A memory to store both data and programs
◦ A mechanism for transferring data to and from
the outside world.
An example system
Consider this advertisement:
What does it all mean??

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An example system
Measures of capacity and speed:
 Kilo- (K) = 1 thousand = 103 ? and 210
 Mega- (M) = 1 million = 106 ? and 220
 Giga- (G) = 1 billion = 109 ? and 230
 Tera- (T) = 1 trillion = 1012 ? and 240
 Peta- (P) = 1 quadrillion = 1015 ? and 250
An example system
 Processor speeds are measured in MHz or GHz.
◦ Hertz = clock cycles per second (frequency)
◦ 1MHz = 1,000,000Hz
 Byte = a unit of storage

◦ 1KB = 1024 Bytes
◦ 1MB = 1,048,576 Bytes
◦ Main memory (RAM) is measured in MB / GB
◦ Disk storage is measured in GB for small systems, TB for
large systems.
An example system
Measures of time and space:
◦ Milli- (m) = 1 thousandth = 10 -3
◦ Micro- () = 1 millionth = 10 -6
◦ Nano- (n) = 1 billionth = 10 -9
◦ Pico- (p) = 1 trillionth = 10 -12
◦ Femto- (f) = 1 quadrillionth = 10 -15
An example system
 Hard disk drive access times are often 10 to 20
milliseconds.
◦ Nanosecond = 1 billionth of a second
 Main memory access times are often 50 to 70
nanoseconds.
◦ Micron (micrometer) = 1 millionth of a meter
◦ Circuits on computer chips are measured in
microns.
◦ Now go back to the Advt.
•The microprocessor is the brain of the
system.
•It executes program instructions.
•This one is a Pentium III (Intel)
running at 667MHz.
•A system bus moves data within the

computer.
•The faster the bus the better.
•This one runs at 133MHz.

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An example system
 Computers with large main memory capacity can run
larger programs with greater speed than computers
having small memories.
 RAM is an acronym for random access memory.
 Random access means that memory contents can be
accessed directly if you know its location.
 Cache is a type of temporary memory that can be
accessed faster than RAM
An example system
This system has 64MB of (fast)
synchronous dynamic RAM
(SDRAM) . . .
Two levels of cache memory

the level 1 (L1) cache is smaller and (probably) faster than
the L2 cache.
Note that these cache sizes are measured in KB.
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An example system
Hard disk capacity determines
the amount of data and size of
programs you can store.
•This one can store 30GB.

•7200 RPM is the rotational speed of the disk.
•Generally, the faster a disk rotates, the faster it can
deliver data to RAM.? (There are many other factors
involved.)
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An example system
EIDE stands for enhanced integrated drive electronics, which
describes how the hard disk interfaces with (or connects
to) other system components.?
A CD-ROM can store about 650MB of data, making it

an ideal medium for distribution of commercial
software packages.? 48x describes its speed.
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An example system
Ports allow movement of data
between a system and its external
devices.
This system has

four ports.
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An example system
• Serial ports send data as a series of pulses along one
or two data lines.
• Parallel ports send data as a single pulse along at
least eight data lines.
• USB, universal serial bus, is an intelligent serial
interface that is self-configuring. (It supports plug
and play.)
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An example system
System buses can be augmented by
dedicated I/O buses.? PCI, peripheral
component interface, is one such bus.
This system has two PCI devices: a

sound card, and a modem for
connecting to the Internet.
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An example system
The number of times per second that the image on
the monitor is repainted is its refresh rate. The dot pitch
of a monitor tells us how clear the image is.
This monitor has a dot pitch of

0.24mm and a refresh rate of 85Hz.
The graphics card contains memory and

programs that support the monitor.
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This statement raises two important questions:
•What assurance do we have that computer components will

operate as we expect?
•And what assurance do we have that computer components
will operate together?
Why study computer organization and architecture?
◦ Design better programs, including system software

such as compilers, operating systems, and device
drivers.
◦ Optimize program behavior.
◦ Evaluate (benchmark) computer system
performance.
◦ Understand time, space, and price tradeoffs.
Structure & Function
 Structure is the way in which components relate
to each other.
 Function is the operation of individual
components as part of the structure.
Function
 All computer functions are:
◦ Data processing
◦ Data storage
◦ Data movement
◦ Control
Structure
Structure - Top Level
Peripherals Computer
Central Main
Processing Memory
Unit
Computer
Systems
Interconnection
Input
Output
Communication
lines
Structure - The CPU
CPU
Computer Arithmetic
Registers and
I/O Login Unit
System CPU
Bus
Internal CPU
Memory Interconnection
Control
Unit
Structure - The Control Unit
Control Unit
CPU
Sequencing
ALU Logic
Control
Internal
Unit
Bus
Control Unit
Registers Registers and
Decoders
Control
Memory

Module 1.1

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Module 1.1

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Module 1

Introduction to Computing Systems

Principle of Equivalence of Hardware and Software:

Anything that can be done with software can also be done

What does it all mean??

 Byte = a unit of storage

•A system bus moves data within the

•This one runs at 133MHz.

Two levels of cache memory

•This one can store 30GB.

A CD-ROM can store about 650MB of data, making it

This system has

This system has two PCI devices: a

This monitor has a dot pitch of

The graphics card contains memory and

•What assurance do we have that computer components will

◦ Design better programs, including system software

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