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Computer Architecture And Design

Instructions:

Answer 38 questions in 15 minutes.
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Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. What is non - volatile memory?
Storage that retains data even in the absence of a power source.
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.
Computers that are lodged in other devices where their presence is not immediately obvious.
Input - output - memory - datapath - control

2. What is secondary memory?
(1) pipelining (2) multiple instruction issue
When it is possible to occasionally miss the time constraint on an event - as long as not too many are missed.
A faster processor to complete task sooner - a better algorithm to complete the program/task sooner.
Non - volatile memory used to store programs and data between executions.

3. What is thread- level parallelism?
Input - output - memory - datapath - control
Also called TLP. A form of parallelization of computer code across multiple processors in parallel computing environments - which focuses on distributing execution processes (threads) across different parallel computing nodes.
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.
(1) pipelining (2) multiple instruction issue

4. What is data- level parallelism?
The combination of performance (measured primarily in therms of compute performance and graphics performance) and the price of a system.
Points to the address of an instruction that caused an exception
Also called DLP. A form of parallelization of computing across multiple processors in parallel computing environments - which focuses on distributing the data across different parallel computing nodes.
Desktop computer / laptop computer - server - super computer - embedded computer - mobile computing

5. What are the classes of computing applications (five)?
Non - volatile memory used to store programs and data between executions.
Instructions and data are stored in memory as numbers
10^9 cycles per sec
Desktop computer / laptop computer - server - super computer - embedded computer - mobile computing

6. What is an Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)?
Points to the address of an instruction that caused an exception
An abstract interface between the hardware and the lowest level software that encompasses all the information necessary to write a machine language program that will run correctly - including instructions - registers - memory access - I/O - etc.
The specifics of a computer - including the detailed logic design and the packaging technology of the computer
Also called DLP. A form of parallelization of computing across multiple processors in parallel computing environments - which focuses on distributing the data across different parallel computing nodes.

7. What are embedded computers?
A faster processor to complete task sooner - a better algorithm to complete the program/task sooner.
The total time required for the computer to to complete a task. (Includes disk accesses - memory accesses - I/O activities - OS overhead - and CPU execution time.)
Computers that are lodged in other devices where their presence is not immediately obvious.
Non - volatile memory used to store programs and data between executions.

8. Amdahl's Law
Input - output - memory - datapath - control
Points to the current top of the stack
Memory used to hold program while they are executing.
The performance enhancement possible with a given improvement is limited by the amount that the improvement feature is used.

9. What is the $sp register used for?
Points to the current top of the stack
When it is possible to occasionally miss the time constraint on an event - as long as not too many are missed.
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.
A faster processor to complete task sooner - a better algorithm to complete the program/task sooner.

10. What is volatile memory?
Points to the address of an instruction that caused an exception
The most expensive computers - costing tens of millions of dollars. They emphasize floating- point performance.
Storage that retains data only if it is receiving power
Computers that are lodged in other devices where their presence is not immediately obvious.

11. What is main/primary memory?
The most expensive computers - costing tens of millions of dollars. They emphasize floating- point performance.
When it is possible to occasionally miss the time constraint on an event - as long as not too many are missed.
Memory used to hold program while they are executing.
(1) pipelining (2) multiple instruction issue

12. What is the $pc register used for?
Computers that are lodged in other devices where their presence is not immediately obvious.
When a segment of the application has an absolute maximum execution time.
Points to the next instruction to be executed.
Storage that retains data only if it is receiving power

13. An example of something typically associated with RISC architecture that is not typical in CISC architecture.
1- response time 2- throughput - response time and throughput are directly proportional or only interrelated - Interrelated only.
Desktop computer / laptop computer - server - super computer - embedded computer - mobile computing
Magnetic disk - flash memory are examples of this type of memory.
Dedicated argument registers to reduce stack usage during procedure calls - consistently sized opcodes - separate instructions for store and load - improved linkage (jal and jr save $ra without using stack)

14. What are the five classic components of a computer?
Input - output - memory - datapath - control
The specifics of a computer - including the detailed logic design and the packaging technology of the computer
Computer speeds double every 18-24 months
(1) pipelining (2) multiple instruction issue

15. What is price performance?
Procedure call. Copies PC to $ra - # push $t0 - Subu $sp - $sp - 4 - sw $t0 - ($sp) - # pop $t0 - Lw $t0 - ($sp) - addu $sp - $sp - 4
The combination of performance (measured primarily in therms of compute performance and graphics performance) and the price of a system.
Algorithm - programming language - compiler - instruction set architecture
10^9 cycles per sec

16. An example of volatile memory
DRAM - RAM - Cache are examples of this type of memory.
Non - volatile memory used to store programs and data between executions.
A faster processor to complete task sooner - a better algorithm to complete the program/task sooner.
Desktop computer / laptop computer - server - super computer - embedded computer - mobile computing

17. What does hardware refer to?
Desktop computer / laptop computer - server - super computer - embedded computer - mobile computing
Computer speeds double every 18-24 months
Also called TLP. A form of parallelization of computer code across multiple processors in parallel computing environments - which focuses on distributing execution processes (threads) across different parallel computing nodes.
The specifics of a computer - including the detailed logic design and the packaging technology of the computer

18. Stored Program Concept
Also called DLP. A form of parallelization of computing across multiple processors in parallel computing environments - which focuses on distributing the data across different parallel computing nodes.
When it is possible to occasionally miss the time constraint on an event - as long as not too many are missed.
1- response time 2- throughput - response time and throughput are directly proportional or only interrelated - Interrelated only.
Instructions and data are stored in memory as numbers

19. What are the industry standard benchmarks to measure performance (e.g. - with different vendor chips)?
1- response time 2- throughput - response time and throughput are directly proportional or only interrelated - Interrelated only.
The specifics of a computer - including the detailed logic design and the packaging technology of the computer
Using fixed or variable length encoding.
Procedure call. Copies PC to $ra - # push $t0 - Subu $sp - $sp - 4 - sw $t0 - ($sp) - # pop $t0 - Lw $t0 - ($sp) - addu $sp - $sp - 4

20. What is a real- time performance requirement?
High- level aspects of a computer's design - such as the memory system - the memory interconnect - and the design of the internal processor or CPU (central processing unit
DRAM - RAM - Cache are examples of this type of memory.
When a segment of the application has an absolute maximum execution time.
Algorithm - programming language - compiler - instruction set architecture

21. What does jal <proc> do?
The total time required for the computer to to complete a task. (Includes disk accesses - memory accesses - I/O activities - OS overhead - and CPU execution time.)
Non - volatile memory used to store programs and data between executions.
Procedure call. Copies PC to $ra - # push $t0 - Subu $sp - $sp - 4 - sw $t0 - ($sp) - # pop $t0 - Lw $t0 - ($sp) - addu $sp - $sp - 4
Also called ILP. This is the potential overlap among instructions. There are two approaches: (1) hardware - and (2) software.

22. An example of non - volatile memory
Computers that are lodged in other devices where their presence is not immediately obvious.
The number of tasks completed per unit of time.
Points to the next instruction to be executed.
Magnetic disk - flash memory are examples of this type of memory.

23. What are the hardware/software components affecting program performance?
The most expensive computers - costing tens of millions of dollars. They emphasize floating- point performance.
Algorithm - programming language - compiler - instruction set architecture
The performance enhancement possible with a given improvement is limited by the amount that the improvement feature is used.
Instructions and data are stored in memory as numbers

24. What is throughput?
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.
Non - volatile memory used to store programs and data between executions.
Computer speeds double every 18-24 months
The number of tasks completed per unit of time.

25. What are the base units of GHz?
Computers that are lodged in other devices where their presence is not immediately obvious.
Instructions/unit time (e.g. - instructions/sec) - equal to 1/execution time
10^9 cycles per sec
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.

26. What is the $epc register used for?
Points to the address of an instruction that caused an exception
Computers that are lodged in other devices where their presence is not immediately obvious.
Memory used to hold program while they are executing.
The most expensive computers - costing tens of millions of dollars. They emphasize floating- point performance.

27. What is response time?
10^9 cycles per sec
Procedure call. Copies PC to $ra - # push $t0 - Subu $sp - $sp - 4 - sw $t0 - ($sp) - # pop $t0 - Lw $t0 - ($sp) - addu $sp - $sp - 4
The total time required for the computer to to complete a task. (Includes disk accesses - memory accesses - I/O activities - OS overhead - and CPU execution time.)
An abstract interface between the hardware and the lowest level software that encompasses all the information necessary to write a machine language program that will run correctly - including instructions - registers - memory access - I/O - etc.

28. What is included in the term organization?

29. What is soft real- time?
When it is possible to occasionally miss the time constraint on an event - as long as not too many are missed.
Procedure call. Copies PC to $ra - # push $t0 - Subu $sp - $sp - 4 - sw $t0 - ($sp) - # pop $t0 - Lw $t0 - ($sp) - addu $sp - $sp - 4
Storage that retains data even in the absence of a power source.
A faster processor to complete task sooner - a better algorithm to complete the program/task sooner.

30. What is instruction - level parallelism?
The most expensive computers - costing tens of millions of dollars. They emphasize floating- point performance.
Computer speeds double every 18-24 months
The combination of performance (measured primarily in therms of compute performance and graphics performance) and the price of a system.
Also called ILP. This is the potential overlap among instructions. There are two approaches: (1) hardware - and (2) software.

31. Moore's Law
Computer speeds double every 18-24 months
High- level aspects of a computer's design - such as the memory system - the memory interconnect - and the design of the internal processor or CPU (central processing unit
Memory used to hold program while they are executing.
The total time required for the computer to to complete a task. (Includes disk accesses - memory accesses - I/O activities - OS overhead - and CPU execution time.)

32. One reason why two's compliment is used as opposed to signed magnitude or one's compliment?
Points to the current top of the stack
Magnetic disk - flash memory are examples of this type of memory.
A faster processor to complete task sooner - a better algorithm to complete the program/task sooner.
There does not exist the case of negative zero. - Can perform a- b as a+ (- b) without adjustments inside the CPU.

33. How is CPU performance measured?
(1) pipelining (2) multiple instruction issue
Also called DLP. A form of parallelization of computing across multiple processors in parallel computing environments - which focuses on distributing the data across different parallel computing nodes.
Computer speeds double every 18-24 months
Instructions/unit time (e.g. - instructions/sec) - equal to 1/execution time

34. What are two examples of instruction - level parallelism?
(1) pipelining (2) multiple instruction issue
Input - output - memory - datapath - control
Also called TLP. A form of parallelization of computer code across multiple processors in parallel computing environments - which focuses on distributing execution processes (threads) across different parallel computing nodes.
Magnetic disk - flash memory are examples of this type of memory.

35. An example of an improvement that would impact throughput (but not response time).
There does not exist the case of negative zero. - Can perform a- b as a+ (- b) without adjustments inside the CPU.
The combination of performance (measured primarily in therms of compute performance and graphics performance) and the price of a system.
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.
Points to the address of an instruction that caused an exception

36. An example of an improvement that would impact response time (but not throughput).
A faster processor to complete task sooner - a better algorithm to complete the program/task sooner.
The performance enhancement possible with a given improvement is limited by the amount that the improvement feature is used.
Storage that retains data only if it is receiving power
DRAM - RAM - Cache are examples of this type of memory.

37. How can you encode an ISA?
Using fixed or variable length encoding.
10^9 cycles per sec
DRAM - RAM - Cache are examples of this type of memory.
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.

38. What is a supercomputer?
Points to the next instruction to be executed.
DRAM - RAM - Cache are examples of this type of memory.
The most expensive computers - costing tens of millions of dollars. They emphasize floating- point performance.
Add memory - additional processors to handle more tasks in a given time.