Concept
The CPU-memory bus is a communication pathway used in computer architecture to connect the central processing unit (CPU) and main memory, facilitating data transfer between the two components. Its efficiency and speed are critical for overall system performance, impacting how quickly a computer can execute instructions and process information.
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Concept
Bus architecture is a system design that facilitates communication between different components of a computer by using a shared transmission medium. It allows for modular expansion and integration of additional hardware components, optimizing data transfer and resource sharing within the system.
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Data transfer rate is the speed at which data is transmitted from one device to another, typically measured in bits per second (bps). It is a crucial factor in determining the efficiency and performance of networks, storage devices, and data transmission technologies.
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Bus latency refers to the time delay between initiating a request for data transfer and the actual start of the data movement across a bus in a computer system. It is a critical factor affecting the overall performance of a system, as high latency can lead to inefficiencies and slower processing times.
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Memory hierarchy is a structured arrangement of storage systems that optimizes performance by balancing speed, cost, and capacity, leveraging the principle of locality. It enables efficient data access by organizing memory into levels, from fastest and smallest to slowest and largest, thereby minimizing latency and maximizing throughput.
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Bus width refers to the number of bits that can be transmitted simultaneously over a computer bus, directly impacting the data transfer rate and overall system performance. A wider bus can carry more data at once, leading to faster processing and improved efficiency in data-intensive applications.
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Throughput is a measure of how much data or material can be processed by a system within a given time frame, reflecting the system's efficiency and capacity. It is crucial in evaluating performance across various fields such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and computing, where optimizing throughput can lead to enhanced productivity and reduced costs.
Concept
An address bus is a critical component in a computer architecture that carries memory addresses from the processor to other components, allowing the CPU to access specific memory locations. The width of the address bus determines the maximum addressing capability of the system, directly influencing how much memory can be accessed by the processor.
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The control bus is a crucial component of a computer's architecture that carries control signals between the CPU and other components, orchestrating the operations of the system. It ensures proper communication and synchronization by transmitting commands such as read, write, and interrupt signals across the system's architecture.
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Bus arbitration is a mechanism used in computer systems to manage access to a shared bus, ensuring that multiple devices can communicate without conflict. It involves determining which device has priority to use the bus at any given time, optimizing system performance and preventing data collisions.
Concept
Direct Memory Access (DMA) is a feature that allows hardware components to access the main system memory independently of the central processing unit (CPU), improving data transfer efficiency and system performance. By offloading memory access tasks from the CPU, DMA enables faster data processing and frees up CPU resources for other operations.
Concept
The Von Neumann Bottleneck refers to the limitation on throughput in a computer system caused by the separation of the CPU and memory, as they can only communicate over a shared bus system, restricting data transfer rates. This architectural limitation creates a performance bottleneck because the speed of the CPU outpaces the speed at which data can be delivered from memory, causing inefficiencies in processing tasks.
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