A MOOC BASED SEMINAR ON
Computer Architecture
Presented by Payal Adhikari
BCA 4rd sem
• Course Overview
Table of Content
• Why I choose this topic
• Course Modules
•
Introduction
COURSE OVERVIEW
• Course name- Computer Architecture.
• Course Provider- .Saylor Academy.
• Course Duration- 48 hours.
• Certification- Yes
• Core subject in BCA.
• Helps understand how computers work
internally.
WHY I CHOOSE
THIS TOPIC
• Useful for careers in software development,
hardware design, and system architecture.
• Enhances knowledge of processors,
memory, and performance.
• This course consists of 9 modules:
1. Introduction to Computer Theory
2. Instructions: Hardware Language
3. Fundamentals of Digital Logic Design
4. Computer Arithmetic
Course Modules
5. Designing a Processor
6. The Memory Hierarchy
7. Storage and I/O
8. Parallel Processing
9. Look Back and Look Ahead
•Definition: Computer Architecture refers to
the design, structure, and functionality of a
computer
system. It defines how
hardware and software interact to execute tasks
efficiently.
Introduction to
Computer
Architecture
•Components: It includes the CPU (Central
Processing
Unit),
Memory,
Storage,
Input/Output Devices, and Interconnects.
•Importance: Helps optimize performance,
power efficiency, and cost while ensuring
smooth software execution.
•Applications: Used in designing processors,
embedded
systems,
high-performance
computing, and cloud computing.
Hardware
Language
• Hardware language refers to the set of
instructions that a computer’s processor can
execute directly.
• It includes Machine Language (binary code) and
Assembly Language (mnemonics like MOV,
ADD).
• These instructions control the CPU's operations,
enabling communication between software and
hardware.
•Fetch – The CPU retrieves the instruction from
Instruction Cycle
(Steps in
Executing an
Instruction)
memory.
•Decode – The instruction is translated to
determine the required operation.
•Execute – The CPU performs the operation (e.g.,
arithmetic, logic, or data transfer).
•Store – The result is saved in a register or
memory for future use.
Definition of Processor Design
• Processor design refers to the architecture and development of a CPU,
defining how it executes instructions and processes data.
• It involves the design of components like the Arithmetic Logic Unit
(ALU), Control Unit (CU), Registers, and Cache Memory.
• A well-designed processor ensures high performance, energy efficiency,
and optimized instruction execution.
•Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) – Performs arithmetic
operations (addition, subtraction) and logical
operations (AND, OR, NOT).
•Control Unit (CU) – Directs the flow of instructions,
Key Components
of a Processor
managing data movement and execution cycles.
•Registers – Small, high-speed storage locations
inside the CPU for temporary data storage.
•Cache Memory – Fast memory that stores frequently
accessed data to speed up processing.
•Buses – Data transfer pathways that connect different
parts of the processor, ensuring smooth
communication between components.