12.2.6. Details on Control Signals

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does the Program Counter (PC) do?

   Hint

   Think about how the CPU knows which instruction to execute next.

2. 2.

   What are control signals?

   Hint

   Consider how components communicate during instruction execution.

3. 3.

   What is the purpose of the Program Counter (PC)?

   • To hold data
   • To point to the next instruction
   • To execute operations

   Hint

   It tracks the sequence of execution.

4. 4.

   True or False: Control signals only work during the fetch phase.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider how instruction execution is carried out.

5. 5.

   You are tasked with creating a flowchart that represents the control signals involved in both the fetch and decode phases. Describe the flow of control signals step-by-step.

   Hint

   Focus on the transitions between registers during each phase.

6. 6.

   Analyze an instruction: 'STA 0x0040'. Determine the control signals that would be needed to execute this instruction and explain your reasoning.

   Hint

   Consider how information is communicated through the control signals.