This module provides students with an introduction to the structure and function of a modern computer. The building blocks: of a computer will be considered: Processor, Memory and Storage. Topics will include Number Systems and Codes, Boolean Algebra, Sequential and Combinational Logic Circuits, Adders, Registers and Counters, and Simple Computer Organisation.
BASIC ARCHITECTURE AND OPERATION
Introduction to Von Neumann Architecture, Classification of Electronic Digital Computer, Processors, CPU Components - CU, ALU, registers, address bus, data bus, memory; Instruction execution (fetch, decode, execute); Interrupts and Interrupt handlers. BIOS configuration. Assembling a computer; Motherboard, memory, CPU etc.
DIGITAL LOGIC
Logic gates, gate functions, combination logic, De-Morgan's Laws, Functions of adders in the ALU - full adders, half adders.
ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE
Assembly language, instruction set, logic operations (shift, rotate, compare, masking). Positive and negative numbers. Subroutines, stack and stack pointer management.
I/O AND MULTIMEDIA
Primary Memory, RAM, ROM, Memory addresses. Secondary storage devices, Disk storage technology, Portable storage options such as diskette, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-RAM, RAID and tape as used in PC/server systems, Disk Controllers. I/O Methods. Multimedia - text, graphics, sound. Energy consumption: financial costs & policies for managing desktop computers.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |