This course is intended for second-year computer science students and aims to present the basic principles of the von Neumann machine, machine language, assembly language, as well as combinational and sequential circuits, along with practical implementation of these fundamental concepts.
A set of exercises is included at the end of each chapter.
This document is a course support material and is not intended to be comprehensive or present all the details of the topics covered. Attending the actual lectures, as well as the directed and practical work sessions, is strongly recommended.
The content of the course is essentially as follows:
- Chapter 1: von Neumann Architecture;
- Chapter 2: Machine Language;
- Chapter 3: Assembly Language;
- Chapter 4: Combinational Logic Circuits;
- Chapter 5: Sequential Logic Circuits.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: Von Neumann Architecture
- 1.1. Von Neumann Model
- 1.2 Basic Components of the von Neumann Machine
- 1.3 Central Unit
- 1.3.1 Central Memory
- 1.3.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- 1.3.3 Input/Output (I/O) Devices
- 1.3.4 Bus
- Chapter 2: Machine Language
- 2.1 Concept of Machine Instruction (Machine Language)
- 2.2 Execution model
- 2.3 Machine instruction format
- 2.4 Addressing modes
- 2.5 Execution of a machine instruction
- 2.6 Processor design
- Chapter 3: Assembly Language
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Classification of Programming Languages
- 3.3 Presentation of the INTEL 8086 Machine and a Subset of Its Assembler
- 3.4 Instruction Set
- Chapter 4: Combinational Logic Blocks
- 4.1 Logic Gates
- 4.2 Boolean Function Flowchart
- 4.3 Arithmetic Circuits
- 4.4 Encoding and Decoding
- 4.5 Multiplexer (MUX)
- 4.6 Parity Generator
- Chapter 5: Sequential Logic Blocks
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Flip-Flops
- 5.3 Implementation of Flip-Flops
- 5.4 Registers
- 5.5 Counters
Objectives and Key Themes
This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of computer architecture, covering fundamental concepts from the Von Neumann architecture to machine and assembly languages, and finally delving into combinational and sequential logic blocks. The material is designed to be both theoretical and practical, incorporating exercises to reinforce learning. * Von Neumann Architecture and its components. * Machine language instruction formats and execution models. * Assembly language programming and instruction sets. * Combinational logic circuits and their applications. * Sequential logic circuits, including flip-flops, registers, and counters.Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Von Neumann Architecture: This chapter introduces the foundational Von Neumann architecture, detailing its core components: the central processing unit (CPU), central memory (including RAM and ROM), and input/output (I/O) devices. It thoroughly explains the interaction between these components, emphasizing the crucial role of the bus system in data transfer and control. The chapter also delves into the characteristics of memory, including addressing, operations, and register functionalities (RIM and RAM registers), providing a solid base for understanding subsequent chapters on machine and assembly languages.
Chapter 2: Machine Language: This chapter focuses on machine language, the lowest-level programming language understood directly by the computer's hardware. It explores different execution models (memory-to-memory, memory-accumulator, register-register, and stack-based), contrasting their efficiency and complexity. The chapter systematically analyzes various instruction formats (with and without address fields, fixed vs. variable length) and addressing modes (immediate, direct, indirect), demonstrating their impact on instruction size and execution speed. Finally, it examines the design approaches of CISC and RISC processors.
Chapter 3: Assembly Language: This chapter transitions from machine language to assembly language, a more human-readable representation of machine instructions. It classifies programming languages (internal machine language, assembly language, high-level languages) and then focuses on a subset of the Intel 8086 assembler. The chapter meticulously covers the instruction set, including transfer, arithmetic, logical, shift, comparison, control flow, increment/decrement, I/O, interrupt, and address transfer instructions, providing detailed explanations and illustrating their usage through examples. This chapter bridges the gap between low-level hardware and higher-level programming paradigms.
Chapter 4: Combinational Logic Blocks: This chapter explores combinational logic circuits, which produce outputs based solely on current inputs, without memory of past inputs. It covers fundamental logic gates, Boolean function flowcharts, and crucial arithmetic circuits such as half and full adders and subtractors. The chapter also delves into encoding and decoding techniques, including decoders, encoders, and BCD to 7-segment decoders. Finally, it discusses multiplexers (MUX) and demultiplexers (DEMUX) and parity generators, providing examples and practical applications of these circuits.
Chapter 5: Sequential Logic Blocks: This chapter examines sequential logic circuits, which have memory and whose outputs depend on both current and past inputs. It covers various types of flip-flops (D, T, R-S, J-K) and their implementations. The chapter then discusses registers (including shift registers and their applications) and counters (asynchronous and synchronous), explaining their functionality and providing examples of their usage in computer systems. The content builds upon the foundation laid in the preceding chapters on logic gates and combinational logic.
Keywords
Computer architecture, Von Neumann architecture, machine language, assembly language, instruction set, addressing modes, combinational logic, sequential logic, logic gates, flip-flops, registers, counters, CPU, memory, I/O devices, RISC, CISC.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Language Preview" about?
The "Language Preview" provides a summary of a course on computer architecture. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords.
What topics are covered in the table of contents?
The table of contents outlines five chapters: Von Neumann Architecture, Machine Language, Assembly Language, Combinational Logic Blocks, and Sequential Logic Blocks. Each chapter is further divided into subtopics.
What are the main objectives and key themes of the course?
The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of computer architecture, covering fundamental concepts from the Von Neumann architecture to machine and assembly languages, and finally, delving into combinational and sequential logic blocks. Key themes include the Von Neumann Architecture and its components, Machine language instruction formats and execution models, Assembly language programming and instruction sets, Combinational logic circuits and their applications, and Sequential logic circuits, including flip-flops, registers, and counters.
What is the Von Neumann Architecture, and what components does it include?
The Von Neumann Architecture is a foundational computer architecture that includes a central processing unit (CPU), central memory (RAM and ROM), and input/output (I/O) devices. These components interact through a bus system for data transfer and control.
What are the different execution models discussed in the Machine Language chapter?
The Machine Language chapter explores execution models such as memory-to-memory, memory-accumulator, register-register, and stack-based models.
What addressing modes are analyzed in the Machine Language chapter?
The Machine Language chapter analyzes addressing modes like immediate, direct, and indirect addressing, and discusses their impact on instruction size and execution speed.
What is assembly language, and how does it relate to machine language?
Assembly language is a more human-readable representation of machine instructions. It serves as a bridge between low-level hardware and higher-level programming paradigms.
What instruction sets are covered in the Assembly Language chapter?
The Assembly Language chapter focuses on a subset of the Intel 8086 assembler instruction set, including transfer, arithmetic, logical, shift, comparison, control flow, increment/decrement, I/O, interrupt, and address transfer instructions.
What are combinational logic circuits, and what are some examples covered in the course?
Combinational logic circuits produce outputs based solely on current inputs. Examples covered include logic gates, Boolean function flowcharts, arithmetic circuits (half and full adders and subtractors), encoding and decoding techniques (decoders, encoders, BCD to 7-segment decoders), multiplexers (MUX), demultiplexers (DEMUX), and parity generators.
What are sequential logic circuits, and how do they differ from combinational logic circuits?
Sequential logic circuits have memory, meaning their outputs depend on both current and past inputs. Examples covered include flip-flops (D, T, R-S, J-K), registers (including shift registers), and counters (asynchronous and synchronous).
What are flip-flops, and what types are covered?
Flip-flops are basic memory elements used in sequential logic circuits. The course covers D, T, R-S, and J-K flip-flops.
What are registers and counters, and how are they used in computer systems?
Registers are used to store data, while counters are used to count events. The course discusses various types of registers (including shift registers) and counters (asynchronous and synchronous) and explains their use in computer systems.
What are the key words associated with the course?
The key words include Computer architecture, Von Neumann architecture, machine language, assembly language, instruction set, addressing modes, combinational logic, sequential logic, logic gates, flip-flops, registers, counters, CPU, memory, I/O devices, RISC, CISC.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Adel Abdelhadi (Author), 2025, Computer Architecture Course and Exercises, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1574331
