13.3.1. Single Bus Architecture Overview

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is the purpose of a bus in a computer system?

   Hint

   Think about how different parts communicate.

2. 2.

   What does the Program Counter do?

   Hint

   What helps the CPU know where to go next in a program?

3. 3.

   What does the Program Counter do in a CPU?

   • Stores immediate results
   • Tracks the next instruction
   • Caches frequently accessed data

   Hint

   What guides the CPU's next steps?

4. 4.

   True or False: Control signals are not necessary for data transfer within a computer system.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about how things work together.

5. 5.

   Design a flowchart representing the instruction fetch cycle in a single bus architecture. Include all relevant stages and control signals.

   Hint

   Think about each stage like steps in a recipe—what comes first, and what does each step trigger?

6. 6.

   Analyze a scenario where a control signal fails during instruction execution. What would be the potential problems and how could they be mitigated?

   Hint

   What could happen if there were no traffic lights at an intersection?