Hook - 1969 was a famous year for what…..? What typical Computing Hardware may be inside the Apollo Guidance Computer? What would be the brains of the Computer? LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

Key Questions to consider What processing power does your computer at home have? Typically? Are you aware of the processing power of your mobile phone? Tablet? How is processing power measured? How powerful is Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) compared the iPhone 6? To be able to evaluate the impacts of key CPU characteristics upon performance and give examples To be able to state the functions of the CPU, such as fetch and executing instructions from memory To be able to describe the purpose of a CPU and identify key characteristics LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1) THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT The processor is “the brains of a Computer System” It Processes Data Carries out instructions (Executes Them) Processors have a Clock speed measured in Hertz Number of Cycles Per Second PROCESSOR SPEED Measured in Hertz (Hz) Typical Speeds have spanned across MHz and GHz 1GHz Processor executes 1 Billion Instructions per second 2GHz Processor executes 2 Billion Instructions Per Second PROCESSOR CORES Each processor has a “core” in which instructions are executed. Processors can be multi-core - Dual Core ,Quad Core or 8 Core. Each core executes instructions independently Dual Core may execute up to twice as many instructions per second PROCESSOR – CACHE SIZE Processors have “Cache” – This is very fast, and usually a very small amount of memory on the processor chip The Cache acts as an intermediary between the processor and the Main Memory As programs are executing – the Cache holds commonly used instructions Key FACTS about the CPU LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

What can impact performance? CLOCK SPEED Doubling the clock speed will double the number of instructions executed per second. PC gamers have found ways to ‘overclock’ their processors, so they will run more quickly, but at a higher temperature. This can impact the life and durability of CPUs, as well as required extra cooling. WHY IMPROVE PERFORMANCE? Often, people working in areas that depend on computers need far greater processing power than the home user. Often, video editors and games designers need more CPU power to preview and build versions of games. Scientists and mathematicians also required computers to carry out billions of complex calculations, so more power means this can happen more quickly NUMBER OF PROCESSOR CORES Quadrupling the number of cores may quadruple the number of instructions executed per second. Many CPU’s are available to buy which are not only quicker, but have more cores. However, this can come at financial cost PROCESSOR – CACHE SIZE Increasing the cache size will reduce the number of memory to disk transfers and thus may speed up processing of these instructions. CPU’s come with a small amount of cache size built in. This kind or memory is extremely quick, but also very costly What can impact performance? LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

Use the slides to evidence work for each success criteria Activity 1 Produce an extended piece of writing about what the CPU does, how its performance is measured and how it can be impacted Find a diagram of a CPU and label the key parts (ALU, CU….) Use the slides to evidence work for each success criteria Watch the video and explain the concept of Moore’s Law with examples LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

Activity 1 - Bronze Moore’s Law Video

Activity 1 - Silver Hint – You are looking for the Von Neumann CPU

Activity 1 - Gold

Activity 2 - Complete the challenges related to processor performance To be able to evaluate the impacts of key CPU characteristics upon performance and give examples To be able to state the functions of the CPU, such as fetch and executing instructions from memory To be able to describe the purpose of a CPU and identify key characteristics LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

Types of Computer Systems A General Purpose System is a Computer System that is made up of both Hardware and Software. This is often known as Firmware. Examples can include games consoles, laptops and tablets Embedded systems are usually for very specialised tasks, don’t usually contain an Operating System and can’t be ‘updated’. Examples can include, dishwashers, air conditioners and microwaves LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

Activity 3 Complete each of the tasks within the success criteria Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of embedded systems. Make a list for revision Complete each of the tasks within the success criteria Use the slides provide to produce your evidence Discuss why we have embedded systems in our lives Produce a mind map (and images) of embedded systems found around the home LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)

Activity 3 - Bronze

Activity 3 – Silver / Gold

Extensions Produce FIVE Questions + Mark Scheme related to CPU components, Clock speed, cores and processing speed (Grade 1-5) Use Resource 1 to study the Apollo 11 Hardware and write a report discussing how the technology has changed over the last 40-50 years. (Grade 5–9)

Extension 1 Exam question Answer

Extension 2

LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1) Plenary Key term Meaning (YOUR OWN WORDS!) Processor MHz GHz Hertz Instruction Execute Embedded System Clock Speed Cache Core LP – to explore the basics of SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE (Unit 1)