Computer Organisation and Architecture

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

Not all that many years ago, the only places where one would be able to see a computer would have been the central offices of large organisations. The computer, costing at least £500000, would have been housed in a large, temperature controlled room. The computer would have been run by a team of people, called operators, working on a shift system which provided 24-hour operation. Users of the computer would have a terminal, consisting of a TV screen and a keyboard, on their desk and they would use the facilities of the computer by means of on-screen forms and menus. These computers were called main frame computers and in fact there are still many of these in operation today. Today, almost every home has a computer either in the form of a Personal Computer (PC) or games console and the cost is well under £1000.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 2. Data representation and computer arithmetic

Abstract

Data is represented and stored in a computer using groups of binary digits called words. This chapter begins by describing binary codes and how words re used to represent characters. It then concentrates on the representation of positive and negative integers and how binary arithmetic is performed within the ALU. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the representation of real numbers and floating point arithmetic.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 3. Boolean logic

Abstract

In Chapter 1 we mentioned that logic gates are the basic building blocks of a digital computer. This chapter describes these gates and how they can be used to build useful circuits.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 4. Central processor unit operation

Abstract

At the heart of a microcomputer system lies the Central Processor Unit (CPU) or processor. The processor runs a program by repeatedly fetching and executing instructions from main memory. By using a step-by-step approach, this chapter outlines the way in which this is done using a highly simplified processor. This will provide a foundation for understanding the operation of a real processor in Chapter 5. This chapter and Chapter 5 deal with the principles of machine code and assembly language programming. Machine code is the native code of the processor while assembly language is a more programmer friendly language that is translated into machine code by a program called an assembler. The full treatment of machine code and assembly language programming are found in other texts, some of which are listed in the references at the end of the book. The purpose of this chapter and the next is to explain and demonstrate how the components of a processor work together to carry out tasks.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 5. The Intel 80×86 family of processors

Abstract

So far in this book we have been looking at computer architecture generally. In this chapter, we will look at how the issues and techniques previously discussed manifest themselves in an actual processor that is commercially available.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 6. Primary memory

Abstract

The memory system of a general-purpose computer is implemented using a number of different storage components. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the organisation of these components and the technologies used to implement them.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 7. Secondary memory

Abstract

In Chapter 6 we looked at the RAM, Random Access Memory, that is very closely attached to the processor chip. The big problem with this memory is that when the power is switched off, the stored data is lost. In every computer system, it is necessary to be able to store data and programs even when the power to the computer system is turned off. The devices that provide this facility are called secondary memory or backing storage and this chapter looks at a number of these devices. The two main technologies used for secondary storage devices are magnetic surface and optical technology.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 8. Input-Output

Abstract

Input-Output (I/O) is a term used to describe the transfer of information between a computer’s main memory and the various I/O devices attached to it, often called peripheral devices. Peripheral devices are generally slower than the CPU and frequently require special control signals and data formats. To match these characteristics with those of the CPU and its internal memory, interface circuits are used. This chapter describes the basic principles of PC interfacing and the methods used for scheduling data transfer and gives coverage of the basic principles of some common peripheral devices.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 9. Operating systems

Abstract

An operating system is a collection of system processes that manage the resources of a computer and control the running of user programs. The purpose of this chapter is to describe various hardware features that are used to support a typical microcomputer operating system.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 10. Reduced instruction set computers

Abstract

Two of the best known families of microprocessor are those based on the Motorola 68000 and Intel 8086 architectures, the 680×0 family gaining popularity through its association with the Apple Macintosh and the 80×86 family through association with the original IBM PC. By adopting this family approach, first introduced for IBM mainframes in the mid-sixties, processor designers have been able to take advantage of the implementation techniques and speed increases offered by advances in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology, while continuing to support a common architecture. Supporting a common architecture is important because it allows software written for older machines to run on newer ones and thus protects the customers’ software investment.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 11. Networked systems

Abstract

In Chapter 1, the idea of a networked system was introduced as a mechanism intended to enable computers to be connected together so that resources could be shared. Resources in this context consist of processing power, computer memory, secondary data storage, the data itself and peripheral devices. This chapter covers both wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs), and then introduces the concept of distributed systems. It ends with a brief coverage of the security issues associated with networked systems.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Chapter 12. A look ahead

Abstract

Computing remains a rapidly developing area of technology with new products being brought to market every day. This chapter consists of a number of items that cover some of the emerging products and ideas that are being written about in research journals, trade releases and computing magazines. Some of the items will be available in the very near future, others may be in their final stages of development and to complete the selection, we include some ideas that are in their early stages of research. The problem with writing a chapter like this is that it soon becomes dated, as development races forward, so one way of treating this chapter is as a snapshot in time, early 2003.

B. S. Chalk, A. T. Carter, R. W. Hind

Backmatter