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Internet and Computing

Fundamentals (ICF) 7
Technical and Vocational
Education (TVE)

Quarter 1 - Week 4

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COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE & MACHINE
CYCLE

What I Need to Know

This will give you an idea of the skills or competencies you are expected to
learn in the module.

This lesson is designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you understand concepts and in-depth knowledge about the processes
involving computer architecture and machine cycle. The scope of this module
permits it’s to be used in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
Content Standards:
The learner demonstrate an understanding, knowledge, and skills on the
processes of control unit, arithmetic-logic unit, the role of registers, and
machine cycle.
Performance Standards:
The learner will be able to:
a. differentiate the functions of control unit and arithmetic-logic unit.
b. know the different types of registers and its function.
c. Familiarize the steps of machine cycle
Learning Competency:
1. Differentiate the functions of CU and ALU.
2. Discuss the role of registers in computer procedures.
3. Explain the organization of the classical Von Neumann machine and
its major functional units.

DepED-Division of Lapu-Lapu City 1 TVE-ICF 7

What I Know

Pre-Test 1.4
DIRECTION: Complete the blanks writing your answers on the blanks.

1. What does the abbreviation CU and ALU stand for _________________ and
_________________________________?

2. This component directs the activities of the CPU_________________.

3. A bit can take the form of _________________.

4. This is made up of a combination of eight bits and has the storage power to
represent a character _______________.

5. This is a binary digit; it is the smallest unit of storage in a computer.

_________________.

6. The unit of storage that represent Symbols, Punctuation mark, Space Bar, Icons,
letters_______________.

7. This is the number of bits in each word of a computer. _______________.

8. A Word Length is also known as a _______________.

9. Write the correct symbol for the Unit of storage

•Kilobyte ______________

•Terabyte _____________

•Megabyte ____________

•Gigabyte _____________

Refer to Answer Key

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What Is It

INFORMATION SHEET 1.4

Von Neumann Architecture showed how a computer executes instructions
and stores instructions and data in its memory. A scientist called Von Neumann
suggested that a computer
system should be split into two
parts: a processor module and
a memory module.

The processor module is a

place where instructions are
executed. It is represented as
Central Processing Unit
which includes Control Unit and
Arithmetic/Logic Unit in the
diagram.

The memory module is a place where instructions and data are stored. It is
represented as Memory unit in the previous diagram. (Dale & John)

CONTROL UNIT AND ARITHMETIC-LOGIC UNIT

What is Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)?

An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is the main part of the central processing
unit (CPU) of a computer system. It performs all processes related to arithmetic
and logic operations that need to be done on instruction words. In some
processors, the arithmetic logical unit is divided into two units, an arithmetic unit
(AU) and a logic unit (LU).

The (ALU) is typically designed in such a way that it has a direct input and
output access to the processor main memory –the random-access memory (RAM).
Now, the input and outputs flow along an electronic path that is known as a bus.
The input consists of an instruction word that contains an operation code or
sometimes a format code. The operation code informs the ALU what operation to
perform and the operands are used in the operation. Examples of operations that
are regularly carried out by the ALU include:

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• Arithmetic Operations: This is basically addition and subtraction. Addition
can be substituted for multiplication and subtraction for division.

• Logical Operations: This include NOR, NOT, OR, XOR etc.

• Bit shifting Operations: This entails shifting the position of bits by a certain
number of places to either the right or left, which is considered a
multiplication operation.

In summary, the ALU has storage places for input operands, operands that are
being added, the accumulated results and shifted results. The flow of data and the
operations performed on them in subunits of the ALU is controlled by gated
circuits. Division and multiplication are done by a series of adding or subtracting
and shifting operations.

What is Control Unit (CU)?

The control unit (CU) is a component of the central processing unit of the
computer system that controls the operations of the processor. It informs the
arithmetic and logic unit, the computer’s main memory and the output and input
devices how to respond to the command that have been sent to the processor. The
control unit is taken to be the processor brain because it issues orders to
everything and ensure that the best results are produced.

Typically, the control unit has been designed with digital circuits, encoders,
decoders, logic gates and flip-flops that are arranged in a certain fixed way. There
is also a special control memory that stores microprograms based on flowcharts.

The functions of the Control Unit (CU) include:

• Interprets instructions, regulate and control processor timing.

• Directs data flow through different components of the CPU.

• Handle tasks such as decoding, fetching, executing the command and
storing results.
• Sends and receives control signals from other computer gadgets.

• Directs sequential data flow.

• Interprets commands and instructions.

The Difference Between CU and ALU in Tabular Form

The arithmetic logic unit and control unit are two important components of the
central processing unit (CPU) that differ in the following ways.
BASIS OF ALU CU
COMPARISON
Description ALU stands for Arithmetic CU on the other hand, stands for
Logical Unit, and it is a Control Unit, and is one of the
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circuit component of the two main components of the
CPU that deals with computer processor; it deals with
mathematics calculations, the coordination between the
data processing and hardware devices attached with
deducting all the logical each other and works as an
conclusions and outputs. interactive bridge between
Arithmetic operations software and hardware of the
include basic calculations computer system. Parts of the
such as addition, internal components that the
subtraction, multiplication control unit directs include the
and division. arithmetic logical unit and buses.
Function ALU also deals with Control Unit provides
manipulation of the data instructions to the arithmetic
and work according to the logical unit and coordinates
instructions of the control according to the nature of the
unit. data provided and nature of work
to be performed.
Relation Arithmetic logical unit Control Unit interprets
Function engages in comparison instructions provided by a
operations whereby one program and the initiates the
data item is compared with appropriate action to carry out
the other data item to the instruction.
determine which item is
greater than, equal to or
less than the other item.
Dependency ALU depend entirely on the The Control Unit does not in any
Control unit for its way depend on the arithmetic
function. logic unit.
Act as The Arithmetic Logical The CONTROL UNIT acts as a
Unit helps in communicator between the
understanding the memory and the arithmetic
information entered and logical unit.
produces the results in a
better way.

REGISTERS a memory location within the actual processor that work at very fast
speeds. It stores instructions which await to be decoded or executed.
The registers you should know about include:

• Program Counter (PC) - this holds the address of the next instruction to be
fetched and executed.
• Current Instruction Register (CIR) - this holds the current instruction
being executed.

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• Memory Address Register (MAR) - this holds the RAM address you want to
read to or write from.
• Memory Data Register (MDR) - this holds the data you have read from
RAM or want to write to RAM.

• Accumulators (ACC) - these hold the data being worked on and the results
of arithmetic and logical operations.
• Status Register - this holds information about the last operation e.g.
whether the least sum done produced a negative result.
• Interrupt Register - this holds details about whether an interrupt has
happened.
• Index register - this is a very fast counter, that is used e.g. when you have
to work though a block of data and need to keep track of which piece of
data you are at.

Note: Learn the basic difference between arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the
control (CU). The basis of comparison includes: Description, dependency, function, and
design.

STEPS OF MACHINE CYCLE

The computer machine cycle is used to do instructions for your computer. For
example, when you want to watch a video on YouTube, the computer machine cycle
goes on. Since the computer machine cycle is a long process, it goes through
pipelining. Pipelining is when the computer starts the machine cycle and then does
the machine cycle for another instruction before finishing for the first instruction.

A computer program is made up of sets of instructions which are encoded

using the binary numbering system. The fetch – decode – execute cycle is the order
of steps that the Central Processing Unit (CPU) uses to follow instructions. The
fetch execute cycle was first proposed by John von Neumann who is famous for the
Von Neumann architecture, the framework which is being followed by most
computers today.

The CPU is the brain of the computer and known as the processor. It is
responsible for implementing a sequence of commands called a program. A program
takes inputs, processes them, and outputs results. CPUs are found everywhere,
like in mobile phones, computer tablets and washing machines.

Four Steps of Machine Cycle

1. Fetch – Retrieve an instruction from the memory.
2. Decode – Translate the retrieved instruction into a series of
computer commands.
3. Execute – Execute the computer commands.

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4. Store – Send and write the results back in memory.

Unit of Storage

Memory is made up of bistable devices. Bistable means the components that

make up memory can be set to one of two states either on or off. These two states
are represented using binary digits- 0 for off and 1 for on. As such, the smallest unit
of storage of memory is called a binary digit (bit). The amount of data and
instructions that can be stored in primary storage or secondary storage media is
measured in bytes.
Byte – A byte is made up of a combination of 8 bits and has the capacity to
represent one character i.e. a letter, a number, a symbol, a punctuation mark, or
a blank space.
Nibble – A nibble is made up of a combination of 4 bits.
Word – A word is the number of bits the computer can process in one operation.
Word size – A word size or word length is the number of bits in a word. For
example, 32 bits and 64 bits
Clock speed - also called as processor’s speed which indicates the numbers of
instructions The CPU can process per second.

Note:
The
steps

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performed by the computer processor for each machine language instruction received.
The machine cycle is a 4-process cycle that includes reading and interpreting the
machine language, executing the code and then storing that code.

What I Have Learned

LEARNING TASK 1.4.1

Answer the following:

1. What have you learned from the topics discussed in the module?

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the different registers?

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

3. Give a simple explanation of the steps of machine cycle.

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

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What I Can Do

PERFORMANCE TASK 1.4

Directions: Fill in the Venn Diagram with the different and common
characteristics of Control Unit and Arithmetic Logic Unit. Write the diagram with
your answer on a short bondpaper.

CU ALU

Criterion Percentage Score Indicator

Content Knowledge 60% - Applied knowledge on the topic
Delivery 20% - Applied all the needed
instructions.
- Applied creativity in your
performance task.
Neatness 10% - PT is delivered neat and clean.
Timeliness 10% - PT is submitted on or before the
deadline
Total 100%

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What’s More

LEARNING TASK 1.4.2

DIRECTION: (MULTIPLE CHOICE) Underline the letter of your answer.

1. CPU consists of following parts

a. CU and main memory c. main memory and storage
b. CU and ALU d. operating system and application
2. Component of CPU which is responsible for comparing the contents of two
pieces of data is
a. ALU c. Memory
b. CU d. Register
3. In a computer, CU stands for
a. control unit c. calculating unit
b. cache unit d. communication unit
4. When arithmetic, logic and control unit of a computer are combined into a
single unit, it is known as
a. central processing unit c. I/O unit
b. memory unit d. operating unit
5. Brain of a computer is called
a. CPU c. hard disk
b. Software d. memory
6. A computer cannot do a single work without
a. icons c. Instructions
b. CPU d. Monitor
7. Component of CPU which is not responsible for interacting with primary
memory is
a. ALU c. Bus
b. CU d. Register
8. Functions performed by CPU are
a. interprets and executes c. arithmetic and logic
instructions operations
b. communication with d. all of these
other parts of computer
9. Component of CPU which is responsible for deciding which operations are to
be performed by the CPU is
a. ALU c. Register
b. CU d. Bus
10. CPU includes all of the following components except
a. primary storage c. CU
b. ALU d. Register

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11. This register holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
a. MAR d. CIR
b. MDR e. ACC
c. PC
12. This register receives the memory address from the program counter and
passes the address to the main memory using Address Bus.
a. MAR d. CIR
b. MDR e. ACC
c. PC
13. This register stores the instruction fetched from the main memory via Data
Bus.
a. MAR d. CIR
b. MDR e. ACC
c. PC
14. Decode phase begins when the fetched instruction is copied to this register.
a. MAR d. CIR
b. MDR e. ACC
c. PC
15. This register stores the intermediate results of calculations.
a. MAR d. CIR
b. CU e. ACC
c. PC
16. Operation is performed by ALU is
a. square root c. data manipulation
b. exponential d. all of these
17. In computer, ALU has
a. 2units c. 4units
b. 3units d. 5units
18. In a computer, ALU performs
a. control computer c. logic comparisons
operations d. Both b and c
b. arithmetic functions
19. In a computer, ALU can perform
a. addition c. multiplication
b. subtraction d. all of these
20. In a computer, ALU can performs both arithmetic and
a. logic operation c. loading operation
b. logging operation d. learning operation
21. Control Unit acts as the central nervous system of the computer.
a. True b. False
22. Which of the following holds the last instruction fetched?
a. MAR d. IR
b. CU e. ACC
c. PC
23. What does PC stand for?
a. Program Changer c. Performance Counter
b. Program Counter d. Performance Changer
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24. What unit in CPU tells the computer's memory, arithmetic and logic unit
and input and output devices how to respond to the instructions that have
been sent to the processor?
a. Arithmetic unit c. Control unit
b. Logic unit d. Registers
25. What is the name of the unit in the CPU that performs arithmetic and logic
operations?
a. ALU
b. CU
c. MAR
d. MDR

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References

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DepED-Division of Lapu-Lapu City 13 TVE-ICF 7