OCRJ277 CompSci 1.1 – Systems architecture L3

The third of 3 complete lessons on OCR J277 Content of Computer Systems 1.1 – Systems architecture - 1.1.1 Architecture of the CPU.

Each lesson will have a:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• A Worksheet with Activities (With Answers)
• A Questions sheet (With Answers)
• A Multiple Choice Quiz (With Answers)

In this lesson, this is what will be covered.

In OCR J277 GCSE Computer Science, Topic 1.1 introduces the Von Neumann architecture, a foundational computer design model developed by mathematician and physicist John von Neumann in the 1940s. This architecture is the basis for most modern computer systems, and understanding it provides crucial insight into how computers execute programs and manage data.

The Von Neumann architecture is built around the idea of a stored program concept, where instructions and data are stored together in a computer’s memory. This design allows the CPU to fetch instructions and data sequentially from memory, process them, and store results back into memory. Key components of the architecture include the Control Unit (CU), Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Memory, and various types of Buses (such as data and address buses), all working together to enable seamless program execution.

By exploring the Von Neumann architecture, students will gain a deeper understanding of the structure and operation of a typical CPU and its interaction with memory. This knowledge is essential to appreciating how modern computers perform tasks, from basic calculations to complex algorithms, following the principles set by this pioneering design.