AL-404 Computer Organization & Architecture - Jun 2024 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aExplain the role and significance of registers in a CPU's general register organization.
   How to answer

   • Define CPU registers and general register organization
   • List typical registers: accumulator, address, data, PC, IR, etc.
   • Explain role: fast storage, operands, addresses, control
   • Significance: speed, reduced memory access, instruction execution
2. 7 Marks
   bDifferentiate between Hardwired control unit and Micro-programmed control unit.
   How to answer

   • Define hardwired control unit with key features
   • Define micro-programmed control unit with key features
   • Compare on basis: design, speed, flexibility, cost, complexity
   • Give examples / suitability
3. 7 Marks
   aWhat is register transfer language? Explain the representation of instructions in register transfer language with suitable examples ?
   How to answer

   • Define register transfer language (RTL)
   • Explain notation for register transfer, bus, memory
   • Explain representation of instructions / micro-operations
   • Give suitable examples e.g. LOAD, ADD, transfer statements
4. 7 Marks
   bDiscuss how two's complement is used for representing negative numbers and performing subtraction as addition with complement.
   How to answer

   • Explain 1's and 2's complement concept for negative numbers
   • Show 2's complement formation steps with example
   • Explain subtraction as addition: A-B = A + 2's complement of B
   • Discuss end carry / overflow handling
5. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss how binary division is performed and the steps involved in dividing one binary number by another with flowchart.
   How to answer

   • Outline binary division principle similar to decimal long division
   • List steps: shift, compare, subtract, restore quotient bit
   • Present flowchart of restoring / non-restoring division
   • Give small binary division example
6. 7 Marks
   bDesign a 4-bit adder/subtractor circuit and explain how addition and subtraction are performed ?
   How to answer

   • Show 4-bit parallel adder using full adders
   • Add XOR gates and M control for complement / subtract mode
   • Explain M=0 for addition, M=1 for subtraction with 2's complement
   • Explain carry in/out operation with example
7. 7 Marks
   aWhy interface is needed in input output device? Explain how it is connected to I/O devices with neat sketch?
   How to answer

   • Explain need for I/O interface: speed, format, timing mismatch
   • Describe connection between CPU, interface, I/O device
   • Provide neat sketch of I/O interface block diagram
   • Explain data, control, status lines function
8. 7 Marks
   bDescribe the strobe control and hand shaking methods in asynchronous data transfer.
   How to answer

   • Define asynchronous data transfer concept
   • Explain source-initiated strobe control with timing
   • Explain destination-initiated strobe control
   • Explain handshaking with STROBE and ACK signals
9. 7 Marks
   aWhat is the need of I/O processor? Explain the working of I/O processor?
   How to answer

   • Define I/O processor (IOP) / channel
   • Explain need: offload I/O from CPU
   • Explain working: instructions, DMA, communication with CPU
   • Give block diagram of CPU-IOP-memory organization
10. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss the different types of secondary memory devices commonly used in computer systems, such as Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), magnetic tapes, and optical discs. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
    How to answer

    • Define secondary memory and list HDD, magnetic tape, optical disc
    • Describe construction/working of each type
    • Compare capacity, speed, cost, portability, durability
    • Summarize advantages and disadvantages in table
11. 7 Marks
    aDefine cache memory and explain its role in improving CPU performance. Discuss the principles of locality (temporal and spatial) and how they influence cache effectiveness.
    How to answer

    • Define cache memory and its position in hierarchy
    • Explain role in bridging CPU-memory speed gap
    • Define temporal and spatial locality with examples
    • Explain how locality influences hit rate and cache design
12. 7 Marks
    bDescribe the role of the Memory Management Unit (MMU) in a computer system. Explain how the MMU facilitates address translation between virtual addresses and physical addresses.
    How to answer

    • Define MMU and its placement between CPU and memory
    • Explain virtual to physical address translation
    • Describe page tables, TLB and protection role
    • Explain benefits: relocation, protection, virtual memory
13. 7 Marks
    aDefine RISC and CISC architectures and explain their fundamental differences.
    How to answer

    • Define RISC with reduced simple instructions
    • Define CISC with complex variable instructions
    • Compare on instruction set, addressing, pipelining, compiler, performance
    • Give examples e.g. ARM vs x86
14. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss how pipelining improves instruction execution throughput and overall system performance in processors.
    How to answer

    • Define pipelining and stages (fetch, decode, execute etc.)
    • Explain overlapped execution and throughput gain
    • Explain speedup formula and hazards effect
    • Relate to overall system performance improvement
15. 14 Marks
    Write a short note on any two of the following:

    1. a)Bus structure
    2. b)SCSI Bus
    3. c)Random Access Memory
    4. d)Inter processor arbitration
    How to answer

    • Select any two topics from list
    • For each: give definition, diagram/structure, working
    • Highlight key features, advantages/limitations
    • Conclude with applications