5. OCR A Level (H046-H466) SLR1 – 1.1 Von Neumann and Harvard

What type of memory space does the classic von Neumann architecture use?

• Shared memory space for both instructions and data

• Dedicated memory space for instructions only

• Separate memory spaces for instructions and data

• No memory space

Answer explanation

The classic von Neumann architecture uses shared memory space for both instructions and data.

In von Neumann architecture, how are instructions and data stored?

• In different formats

• Data is not stored

• In the same format

• Instructions are not stored

Answer explanation

In von Neumann architecture, instructions and data are stored in the same format.

What does the Harvard architecture use that differs from von Neumann architecture?

• Totally separate memory units for instructions and data

• Shared memory space for instructions and data

• Registers for fast access

• A single control unit

Answer explanation

The Harvard architecture uses totally separate memory units for instructions and data, unlike the von Neumann architecture which shares memory space for both.

What advantage does the Harvard architecture have over the von Neumann architecture?

• It does not use registers

• It can execute instructions faster

• It uses a single bus for reading and writing data

• Reading and writing data can be done at the same time as fetching an instruction

Answer explanation

The advantage of the Harvard architecture over the von Neumann architecture is that reading and writing data can be done at the same time as fetching an instruction.

What type of processors typically use the Harvard architecture?

• CISC processors

• Quantum processors

• RISC processors

• Analog processors

Answer explanation

Harvard architecture is commonly used in RISC processors, which have separate instruction and data memory spaces, allowing for simultaneous instruction fetch and data access.

When did the von Neumann and Harvard architectures originate?

• In the 1930s

• In the 1950s

• In the 1940s

• In the 1960s

Answer explanation

The von Neumann and Harvard architectures originated in the 1940s, making this the correct choice.

What is SIMD an example of?

• Distributed computing

• Parallel processing

• Serial processing

• Quantum computing

Answer explanation

SIMD is an example of parallel processing, where multiple processors execute multiple instructions simultaneously to increase performance.

What does SIMD stand for?

• Single Instruction, Multiple Data

• Single Instruction, Multiple Devices

• Sequential Instruction, Multiple Data

• Sequential Instruction, Multiple Devices

Answer explanation

SIMD stands for Single Instruction, Multiple Data, where a single instruction is applied to multiple data elements simultaneously.

What does MIMD stand for?

• Multiple Instructions, Multiple Devices

• Multiple Instructions, Multiple Data

• Multiple Instructions, Single Data

• Multiple Instructions, Sequential Data

Answer explanation

MIMD stands for Multiple Instructions, Multiple Data, which means multiple processors executing different instructions on different sets of data simultaneously.

What is an example of distributed computing?

• The SETI at home initiative by NASA

• MIMD processing

• SIMD processing

• The Harvard architecture

Answer explanation

The SETI at home initiative by NASA is an example of distributed computing where volunteers' computers analyze radio signals from space collectively.