Computer Types
3
Adigital computer, or simply, a computer is a
fast electronic calculating machine that
accepts digitized input information,
processes it according to a list of
internally stored instructions, and
produces the resulting output
information.
The list of instructions is called a
computer program, and the internal
storage is called computer memory.
4.
Computer Types..
4
Manytypes of computers exist that differ
widely in size, cost, computational power,
and intended use.
Four general categories
Personal Computers
Servers and Enterprise Systems
Supercomputers and Grid Computers
Embedded Computers
5.
Computer Types..
5
Personalcomputers have achieved
widespread use in homes, educational
institutions, and business and
engineering office settings, primarily
for dedicated individual use.
They support a variety of applications
such as general computation,
document preparation, computer-aided
design, audiovisual entertainment,
interpersonal communication, and
Internet browsing.
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Computer Types..
6
Anumber of classifications are used for personal
computers.
Desktop computers serve general needs and fit
within a typical personal workspace.
Workstation computers offer higher computational
capacity and more powerful graphical display
capabilities for engineering and scientific work.
Portable and Notebook computers provide the basic
features of a personal computer in a smaller
lightweight package.
They can operate on batteries to provide mobility.
Computer Types..
8
Serversand Enterprise systems are large
computers that are meant to be shared by
a potentially large number of users who
access them from some form of personal
computer over a public or private
network.
Such computers may host large
databases and provide information
processing for a government agency or
a commercial organization.
Computer Types..
10
Supercomputersand Grid computers
normally offer the highest performance.
They are the most expensive and physically
the largest category of computers.
Supercomputers are used for the highly
demanding computations needed in
weather forecasting, engineering design
and simulation, and scientific work.
They have a high cost.
Computer Types..
12
Gridcomputers provide a more cost-
effective alternative.
They combine a large number of personal
computers and disk storage units in a physically
distributed high-speed network, called a grid,
which is managed as a coordinated computing
resource.
By evenly distributing the computational
workload across the grid, it is possible to
achieve high performance on large
applications ranging from numerical
computation to information searching.
Computer Types..
14
Embeddedcomputers are integrated into
a larger device or system in order to
automatically monitor and control a
physical process or environment.
They are used for a specific purpose
rather than for general processing
tasks.
Typical applications include industrial
and home automation, appliances,
telecommunication products and
Computer Types..
Thereis an emerging trend in access to
computing facilities, known as cloud
computing.
Personal computer users access widely
distributed computing and storage server
resources for individual, independent,
computing needs.
The Internet provides the
necessary communication facility.
Cloud hardware and software service
providers operate as a utility, charging on a
use
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Functional Units
19
Figure 1.1.Basic functional units of a computer.
I/O Processor
Output
Memory
Input
Arithmetic
and
logic
Control
20.
Functional Units..
20
Acomputer consists of five functionally
independent main parts: input, memory, arithmetic
and logic, output, and control units.
The input unit accepts coded information from
human operators using devices such as
keyboards, or from other computers over digital
communication lines.
The information received is stored in the
computer’s memory, either for later use or to be
processed immediately by the arithmetic and
logic unit.
The processing steps are specified by a program
that is also stored in the memory.
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Functional Units..
21
Finally,the results are sent back to the
outside world through the output unit.
All of these actions are coordinated by
the control unit.
The arithmetic and logic circuits, in
conjunction with the main control circuits,
are referred to as the processor.
Input and output equipment is often
collectively referred to as the input-output
(I/O) unit.
Information handled bya
computer..
23
Instructions, or machine instructions,
are explicit commands that
Govern the transfer of information within a
computer as well as between the computer
and its I/O devices
Specify the arithmetic and logic operations to
be performed
24.
Information handled bya
computer..
24
A program is a list of instructions
which performs a task.
Programs are stored in the memory.
The processor fetches the program
instructions from the memory, one after
another, and performs the desired operations.
The computer is controlled by the stored
program, except for possible external
interruption by an operator or by I/O devices
connected to it.
25.
Information handled bya
computer..
25
Data are numbers and characters that
are used as operands by the
instructions.
Data are also stored in the memory.
26.
Information handled bya
computer..
26
The information handled by a computer
must be encoded in a suitable format.
Most present-day hardware employs
digital circuits that have only two stable
states, ON and OFF.
Each instruction, number, or character is
encoded as a string of binary digits called
bits, each having one of two possible
values, 0 or 1.
27.
Input Unit
27
Computersaccept coded information
through input units.
The most common input device is the
keyboard.
Whenever a key is pressed, the corresponding
letter or digit is automatically translated into its
corresponding binary code and transmitted to
the processor.
Other kinds of input devices – mouse,
joystick, trackball, touchpad, microphone,
camera.
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Memory Unit
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Thefunction of the memory unit is to
store programs and data.
There are two classes of storage
Primary
Secondary
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Memory Unit..
29
Primarymemory, also called main memory, is a fast
memory that operates at electronic speeds.
Programs must be stored in this memory while they are
being executed.
It consists of a large number of semiconductor
storage
cells, each capable of storing one bit of information.
They are handled in groups of fixed size called words.
One word can be stored or retrieved in one basic
operation.
The number of bits in each word is referred to as the word
length
of the computer, typically 16, 32, or 64 bits.
30.
Memory Unit..
30
Toprovide easy access to any word in the
memory, a distinct address is associated
with each word location.
Addresses are consecutive numbers,
starting from 0, that identify successive
locations.
A particular word is accessed by specifying
its address and issuing a control
command to the memory that starts the
storage or retrieval process.
31.
Memory Unit..
31
Memoryin which any location can be
accessed in a short and fixed amount of
time after specifying its address is called
a random-access memory (RAM).
The time required to access one word
is called the memory access time.
It typically ranges from a few nanoseconds (ns)
to about 100 ns for modern RAM units.
32.
Memory Unit..
32
Thememory is normally implemented
as a memory hierarchy of three or four
levels of RAM units with different
speeds and sizes.
The small, fast RAM units are called
cache.
Tightly coupled with the processor
Contained on the same chip to achieve
high performance
Largest and slowest unit is referred to
33.
Memory Unit..
33
Althoughprimary memory is essential,
it tends to be expensive and does not
retain information when power is
turned off.
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Memory Unit..
34
Secondarystorage is used when large
amounts of data and many programs
have to be stored.
Particularly for information that is
accessed in frequently.
Access times for secondary storage
are longer than for primary memory.
Examples - magnetic disks, optical
disks
(DVD and CD), and flash memory
35.
Arithmetic and LogicUnit
(ALU)
35
Most computer operations are
executed in ALU of the processor.
Any arithmetic or logic operation, such as
addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, or comparison of numbers, is
initiated by bringing the required
operands into the processor, where the
operation is performed by the ALU.
36.
Arithmetic and LogicUnit
(ALU)..
36
For example, if two numbers located in the memory
are to be added, they are brought into the processor,
and the addition is carried out by the ALU.
The sum may then be stored in the memory or retained in
the
processor for immediate use.
When operands are brought into the processor, they
are stored in high-speed storage elements called
registers.
Each register can store one word of data.
Access times to registers are even shorter than access
times to the cache unit on the processor chip.
37.
Output Unit
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Itsends processed results to the outside world.
Example – printer
Most printers employ either photocopying techniques, as in
laser printers, or ink jet streams. Such printers may
generate output at speeds of 20 or more pages per minute.
Some units, such as graphic displays, provide both
an output function, showing text and graphics, and
an input function, through touchscreen capability.
The dual role of such units is the reason for using the
single name input/output (I/O) unit in many cases.
38.
Control Unit
38
Thememory, arithmetic and logic, and
I/O units store and process
information and perform input and
output operations.
The control unit coordinates the
operation of different units in the
computer.
The control unit is effectively the nerve
center that sends control signals to other
units and senses their states.
39.
Control Unit..
I/Otransfers, consisting of input and
output operations, are controlled by
instructions of I/O programs.
Control circuits are responsible for
generating the timing signals that govern
the transfers and determine when a given
action is to take place.
Data transfers between the processor and
the memory are also managed by the
control
unit through timing 39
40.
Control Unit..
Muchof the control circuitry is
physically distributed throughout the
computer.
A large set of control lines (wires) carries
the signals used for timing and
synchronization of events in all units.
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41.
Summary
The operation ofa computer can be summarized as
follows:
The computer accepts information in the form of
programs and data through an input unit and stores
it in the memory.
Information stored in the memory is fetched under
program control into an arithmetic and logic unit,
where it is processed.
Processed information leaves the computer
through an output unit.
All activities in the computer are directed by the
control
unit
.
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Review
43
The activityin a computer is governed
by instructions.
To perform a given task, an appropriate
program consisting of a list of instructions is
stored in the memory.
Individual instructions are brought from the
memory into the processor, which executes
the specified operations.
Data to be used as instruction operands are
also stored in the memory.
44.
A Typical Instruction
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AddLOCA, R0
Add the operand at memory location LOCA to
the operand in a register R0 in the processor.
Place the sum into register R0.
The original contents of LOCA are preserved.
The original contents of R0 are overwritten.
Several steps
Instruction is fetched from the memory into the
processor
Operand at LOCA is fetched and added to the
contents of R0
The resulting sum is stored in register R0
45.
Separate Memory Access
andALU Operation
45
Add LOCA, R0 combines a memory
access operation with an ALU
operation.
In most modern computers, these
two types of operations are
performed by separate
instructions for improving
performance
46.
Separate Memory Access
andALU Operation..
46
Load
LOCA, R1 Add
R1, R0
The first instruction transfers the
contents of memory location LOCA into
register R1.
The second instruction adds the contents of
register R1 and R0 and places the sum into
47.
Connection Between the
Processorand the Memory
47
Processor
Memory
PC
IR
MDR
Control
ALU
R 0
R 1
R
n - 1
MAR
n general purpose
registers
Figure 1.2. Connections between the processor and the memory.
48.
Registers
48
Instruction register(IR)
Hold the instruction that is currently being executed
Program counter (PC)
Keeps track of the execution of a program
It contains the address of the next instruction to be
fetched and executed
General-purpose register (R0 – Rn-1)
Memory address register (MAR)
Holds the address of the memory location to be accessed
Memory data register (MDR)
Contains the data to be written into or read out of the
addressed
location
49.
Typical Operating Steps
49
Programs reside in the memory through
input devices
PC is set to point to the first instruction
The contents of PC are transferred to MAR
A Read control signal is sent to the
memory
The first instruction is read out and
loaded into MDR
The contents of MDR are transferred to
IR
Decode and execute the instruction
50.
Typical Operating Steps..
50
Get operands for ALU
General-purpose register
Memory (address to MAR – Read – MDR to ALU)
Perform operation in ALU
Store the result back
To general-purpose register
To memory (address to MAR, result to MDR –
Write)
During the execution, PC is
incremented to the next
instruction
51.
Typical Operating Steps..
51
In addition to transferring data between
the memory and the processor, the
computer accepts data from input
devices and sends data to output
devices.
Thus, some machine instructions are
provided for the purpose of handling
I/O transfers.
52.
Interrupt
so that theprogram may continue from where it was
Normal execution of programs may be preempted
if
some device requires urgent servicing.
The device raises an interrupt signal.
An interrupt is a request from an I/O device for
service by the processor.
The processor provides the requested service
by executing an appropriate Interrupt-service
routine.
May alter the internal state of the processor
Its state must be saved before servicing the interrupt
The contents of PC, general-purpose registers,
and some control information are stored in
52
53.
Example
53
List the stepsneeded to execute the
machine instruction
Add LOCA,R0
in terms of transfers between the
components shown in Figure 1.2 and
some simple control commands.
Assume that the instruction itself is
stored in the memory at location INSTR
and that this address is initially in
register PC.
54.
Example
54
Transfer thecontents of register PC to
register MAR
Issue a Read command to memory, and
then wait until it has transferred the
requested word into register MDR
Transfer the instruction from MDR into IR
and decode it
Transfer the address LOCA from IR to MAR
Issue a Read command and wait until MDR
is loaded
55.
Example
55
Transfer contentsof MDR to the ALU
Transfer contents of R0 to the ALU
Perform addition of the two operands in the
ALU and transfer result into R0
Transfer contents of PC to ALU
Add 1 to operand in ALU and
transfer incremented address to
PC
56.
Example
56
List the stepsneeded to execute the
machine instruction
Add R1,R2,R3
in terms of transfers between the
components shown in Figure 1.2 and
some simple control commands.
Assume that the instruction itself is
stored in the memory at location INSTR
and that this address is initially in
register PC.
57.
Example
Transfer thecontents of register PC to
register MAR
Issue a Read command to memory, and
then wait until it has transferred the
requested word into register MDR
Transfer the instruction from MDR into IR
and decode it
Transfer contents of R1 and R2 to the
ALU
Perform addition of two operands in the
ALU and transfer answer into R3
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Bus Structures
59
Thereare many ways to connect
different parts inside a computer
together.
When a word of data is transferred
between units, all its bits are transferred
in parallel, that is, the bits are transferred
simultaneously over many wires, or lines,
one bit per line
A group of lines that serves as a
connecting path for several devices is
Bus Structures..
61
Themain virtue of the single-bus
structure is its low cost and its flexibility
for attaching peripheral devices.
Systems that contain multiple buses
achieve more concurrency in operations
Allow two or more transfers to be carried
out at the same time
This leads to better performance but at
an increased cost.
62.
Speed Issue
Differentdevices have different transfer/operating
speed.
Some electromechanical devices, such as keyboards
and printers, are relatively slow
Magnetic or optical disks are considerably faster
Memory and processor units operate at electronic
speeds -
fastest
If the speed of bus is bounded by the slowest
device connected to it, the efficiency will be very
low.
How to solve this?
A common approach – use buffer registers
Hold the information during transfers
I/O
devices.
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63.
Software
System softwareis a collection of
programs that are executed as needed
to perform functions:
Receiving and interpreting user commands
Entering and editing application programs and
storing them as files in secondary storage
devices
Managing the storage and retrieval of
files in secondary storage devices
Running standard application programs such
as word processors, spreadsheets, or
data supplied by the 63
64.
Software..
64
Controlling I/Ounits to receive input
information and produce output results
Translating programs from source form
prepared by the user into object form
consisting of machine instructions
Linking and running user-written application
programs with existing standard library
routines, such as numerical computation
packages
65.
Software..
65
System softwareis responsible for the coordination
of all
activities in a computing system.
Application programs are usually written in a high-
level programming language, such as C, C++, Java,
or Fortran
Independent of the particular computer used to
execute the program.
A programmer using a high-level language need
not
know the details of machine program instructions.
Compiler translates the high-level language program
into a suitable machine language program
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Software..
66
Text editor- used for entering and
editing application programs.
File - a sequence of alphanumeric characters
or binary data that is stored in memory or in
secondary storage.
Operating system - a large program, or
actually a collection of routines, that is used
to control the sharing of and interaction
among various computer units as they
execute application programs.
67.
Software..
67
Consider asystem with one processor, one
disk, and one printer.
Assume that the application program has
been compiled from a high-level language
form into a machine language form and
stored on the disk.
Performance
70
The mostimportant measure of the
performance a computer is how quickly it
can execute programs.
Three factors affect performance:
Hardware design
Instruction set
Compiler
Performance..
72
To discussthe performance of the
processor, we should consider only the
periods during which the processor is
active.
These are the periods labelled Program and
OS routines in Figure 1.4.
Sum of these periods is referred as the
processor time needed to execute the
program.
73.
Performance..
Processor timeto execute a program depends on the
hardware
involved in the execution of individual machine
instructions.
Main
memory Processor
Bus
73
Cache
memory
Figure 1.5. The processor cache.
74.
Performance..
74
At thestart of execution, all program instructions
and the
required data are stored in the main memory.
As execution proceeds, instructions are fetched one
by one over the bus into the processor, and a copy
is placed in the cache.
When the execution of an instruction calls for data
located in the main memory, the data are fetched
and a copy is placed in the cache.
Later, if the same instruction or data item is
needed a second time, it is read directly from the
cache.
75.
Performance..
75
The processorand a relatively small cache
memory can be fabricated on a single
integrated circuit chip.
A program will be executed faster if the
movement of instructions and data between
the main memory and the processor is
minimized, which is achieved by using the
cache.
76.
Processor Clock
76
Processorcircuits are controlled by a
timing signal called a clock.
The clock defines regular time
intervals, called clock cycles.
The execution of each instruction is
divided into several steps, each of which
completes in one clock cycle.
Length of one clock cycle is denoted as P
Hertz – cycles per second
Basic Performance Equation
T – processor time required to execute a program that has
been
prepared in high-level language
N – number of actual machine language instructions
needed to complete the execution
S – average number of basic steps needed to execute one
machine instruction. Each step completes in one clock
cycle
R – clock rate
Note: these are not independent to each other
T
N S
R
How to improve T?
78
79.
Basic Performance Equation
79
Lesser the value of T, higher the
performance.
Reducing T means reducing N and S,
and increasing R
The value of N is reduced if the source
program is compiled into fewer machine
instructions.
The value of S is reduced if instructions
have a smaller number of basic steps to
perform or if the execution of instructions
is overlapped.
Using a higher-frequency clock increases
the value or R, which means that the time