CEA chapter 16

What is the function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) in a processor?

• • It manages memory operations.

• • It performs arithmetic and logical operations.

• • It controls input and output devices.

• • It coordinates the activities of all hardware.

What does the term ‘clock speed’ refer to in a processor?

• • The speed of data transfer between the processor and memory.

• • The speed at which a processor can execute instructions.

• • The time it takes for a processor to start up.

• • The speed at which data is written to storage.

What is the role of registers in a processor?

• • They control the flow of electricity through the processor.

• • They store data that the processor uses during operation.

• • They manage communication between the processor and peripherals.

• • They control the clock speed of the processor.

What is pipelining in computer architecture?

• It’s a technique where multiple instructions are overlapped during execution.

• • It’s a technique for error checking in data transmission.

• • It’s a method for cooling processors.

• • It’s a method for organizing data in memory.

What does ‘cache memory’ refer to in a processor?

• • It’s the main memory of a computer system.

• • It’s a small amount of fast memory used for temporary storage of frequently accessed data.

• • It’s a type of non-volatile storage used for long-term data retention.

• • It’s the part of the processor where calculations take place.

What is ‘instruction set architecture’ (ISA)?

• • It’s the physical layout of components on the processor chip.

• • It’s the part of the processor that defines how it executes instructions.

• • It’s a set of protocols for communication between different parts of a computer system.

• • It’s a method for organizing data in memory.

What is ‘multithreading’ in terms of processors?

• • It’s a method for cooling processors.

• • It’s a technique where multiple threads from different processes can be executed by a single processor core simultaneously.

• • It’s a type of non-volatile storage used for long-term data retention.

• • It’s an error-checking method in data transmission.

What is ‘superscalar architecture’ in processors?

• • It’s an architecture where multiple instructions can be executed simultaneously by separate execution units within one CPU cycle.

• • It’s an architecture where only one instruction can be executed per CPU cycle, regardless of how many execution units are available.

• • It’s an architecture that allows for higher clock speeds by reducing heat generation within the CPU.

• • None of these.

What does ‘branch prediction’ refer to in processors?

• • The process by which modern processors predict which way a branch (e.g., an if-then-else structure) will go before this is known definitively, in order to improve performance by not waiting until the branch operation is complete before executing subsequent operations.

• • A method used by processors to decide which tasks to execute first based on their priority levels.

• • A technique used by processors to manage power consumption by turning off parts of the chip when they’re not needed.

• • None of these.

What does ‘out-of-order execution’ mean in terms of processors?

• • A method used by processors to decide which tasks to execute first based on their priority levels.

• • This refers to an approach used in most high-performance processors to make use of instruction cycles that would otherwise be wasted by a certain type of costly delay.