What is the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time?

Buses are used to transfer bits from input devices to memory, from memory to theprocessor, from the processor to memory, and from memory to output or storagedevices.Buses consist of a data bus and an address bus.Thedata busis used to transfer actual data, and theaddress busis used to transferinformation about where the data should reside in memory.6-7a Bus WidthThe size of a bus, called thebus widthdetermines the number of bits that the computercan transmit at one time.For example, a 32-bit bus can transmit 32 bits (4 bytes) at a time.On a 64-bit bus, bits transmit from one location to another 64 bits (8 bytes) at a time.The larger the number of bits handled by the bus, the faster the computer transfers data.Using the highway analogy again, assume that one lane on a highway can carry one bit.A 32-bit bus is like a 32-lane highway.A 64-bit bus is like a 64-lane highway.If a number in memory occupies 8 bytes, or 64 bits, the computer must transmit it in twoseparate steps when using a 32-bit bus: once for the first 32 bits and once for the second32 bits.Using a 64-bit bus, the computer can transmit the number in a single step, transferringall 64 bits at once.The wider the bus, the fewer number of transfer steps required and the faster thetransfer of data.Most personal computers today use a 64-bit bus.In conjunction with the bus width, many computer professionals refer to a computer'sword size.Word sizeis the number of bits the processor can interpret and execute at a given time.That is, a 64-bit processor can manipulate 64 bits at a time.Computers with a larger word size can process more data in the same amount of timethan computers with a smaller word size. In most computers, the word size is the sameas the bus width.

Unit 07: PC system

A. Read the text below and then sentences 1 to 8. Decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F).  

What's inside a PC system?

The nerve center of a PC is the central processing unit or CPU. This unit is built into a single microprocessor chip  — an integrated circuit — which executes program instructions and supervises the computer's overall operation. The unit consists of three main parts:

  i   the control unit, which examines the instructions in the user's program, interprets each instruction and causes the circuits and the rest of the components — disk drives, monitor, etc — to be activated to execute the functions specified;

  ii  the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs mathematical calculations (+, -, etc.) and logical operations (and, or, etc.);

  iii  the registers, which are high-speed units of memory used to store and control information. One of the registers is the program counter (PC) which keeps track of the next instruction to be performed in the main memory. Another is the instruction register (IR) which holds the instruction thatis currently being executed (see Fig. 1).

One area where microprocessors differ is in the amount of data — the number of bits — theycan work with at a time. There are 16, 32 and 64-bit processors. The computer's internal architecture is evolving so quickly that the new 64-bit processors are able to address 4 billion times more information than a 32-bit system.

The programs and data which pass through the central processor must be loaded into the main memory (also called the internal memory) in order to be processed. Thus, when the user runs an application, the microprocessor looks for it on secondary storage devices (disks) and transfers a copy of the application into the RAM area. RAM (Random Access Memory) is temporary, i.e. its information is lost when the computer is turned off. However, the ROM section (Read Only Memory) is permanent and contains instructions needed by the processor.

Most of today's computers have internal expansion slots that allow users to install adapters or expansion boards. Popular adapters include high-resolution graphics boards, memory expansion boards, and internal modems.

The power and performance of a computer is partly determined by the speed of its microprocessor. A clock provides pulses at fixed intervals to measure and synchronize circuits and units. The clock speed is measured in MHz (megahertz) or GHz (gigahertz) and refers to the frequency at which pulses are emitted. For example, a CPU running at 1,600 MHz (1 millions cycles per second) will enable the computer to handle the most demanding applications.

Central processing unit (CPU)

Organization of a simple computer
The CPU is built into a single microprocessor chip

Control Unit

Main memory

Arithmetic Logic Unit

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

1

1

1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

Registers

PC

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

IR

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

1

0

1

0

Figure 1.

                                                                   A RAM chip

Microprocessor chip
Popular chips:
Intel's Pentium (as shown)
AMD's Athlon
Apple and IBM's Power PC
Sun's UltraSPARC

The RAM capacity can sometimes be expanded by adding extra chips. These are usually contained in small circuit boards called single in-line memory modules (SIMMs). Modern Pentium processors also accept dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs), DDR2, and DDR3 which allow for a wider data path.

01. The CPU directs and coordinates the activities taking place within the computer system.
02. The arithmetic logic unit performs calculations on the data.
03. 32-bit processors can handle more information than 64-bit processors.
04. A chip is an electronic device composed of silicon elements containing a set of integrated circuits.
05. RAM, ROM and secondary storage are the components of the main memory.
06. Information cannot be processed by the microprocessor if its not loaded into the main memory.

07. 'Permanent' storage of information is provided by RAM (random access memory).
08. The speed of the microprocessor is measured in gigahertz or megahertz.
09. One GHz is equivalent to one  thousand MHz.
10. One MHz is equivalent to one million cycles per second.

Contextual Reference

     Recebem o nome de REFERENTES aquelas palavras cuja função é a de referir-se a outros elementos que podem já ter sido mencionados anteriormente no texto ou que ainda o serão. Os principais referentes são:

B. What do the words in bold print refer to?

1... which executes program instructions and supervises..

2... the instruction that is currently being executed.
3... the amount of data — the number of bits — they can work with at a time.
4 ... the microprocessor looks for it on ...
5 ... its information is lost when the computer is turned off.

6 ... expansion slots that allow users to install adapters or expansion boards.

Word Formation 02 : Acronyms

       Dentre os métodos de formação de palavras, encontramos um que é bastante popular na área de Informática: o uso de acronismos (siglas). Por exemplo: ALGOL, BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN, etc.

Extra Activity:Acronym Finder Database http://www.acronymfinder.com/ This is a Website about technical acronyms and abbreviations.

A. Enter the site and find the meaning for these Information Technology terms.

B. Do you like this acronym finder? If so, add the website address to your Favorites or Bookmarks folder.

Is the number of bits a processor can interpret a given time?

Word length refers to the number of bits in the processor's internal data bus--or the number of bits that a processor can process at any given time. For example, an 8-bit processor will have 8-bit registers, an 8-bit data bus, and will perform 8-bit processing at a time.

Is the number of bits that can be accessed at one time?

The number of bits that can travel simultaneously down a bus is known as the word size.

What is the process of translating the data that the CPU can understand and execute?

This process—fetch an instruction, execute it, fetch another instruction, execute it, and so on forever—is called the fetch-and-execute cycle. With one exception, which will be covered in the next section, this is all that the CPU ever does.

What is the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer group of answer choices?

Central Processing Unit (CPU) The CPU is the brain of a computer, containing all the circuitry needed to process input, store data, and output results. The CPU is constantly following instructions of computer programs that tell it which data to process and how to process it.