Computer Architecture and Organization (CT 211) - Exam
THE UNIVERSITY OF DODOMA
COLLEGE OF INFORMATICS AND VIRTUAL EDUCATION
SCHOOL OF INFORMATICS
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING AND APPLICATIONS
SEMESTER TEST 02 - 2018/2019
CN 210: COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANIZATION
Duration: 2 Hours
Instructions:
- This paper contains Six (6) QUESTIONS
- Answer any Five (5) questions in the answer sheet provided
- Observe ALL examination regulations of the UDOM
Question One
a) For the following single precision IEEE 754-bit patterns show the numerical value as a base 2 significant with an exponent (e.g. 1.25 × 2²):
i. 0 10000011 01100000000000000000000000
ii. 1 10000000 00000000000000000000000
(6 Marks)
b) Assume you have a machine that uses 32-bit integers and you are storing the hex value 1234 at address 0:
i. Show how this is stored on a big-endian machine.
ii. Show how this is stored on a little-endian machine.
(4 Marks)
Question Two
a) Convert the following expressions from infix to reverse Polish (postfix) notation.
i. X × Y + W × Z + V × U
ii. W × X + W × (U × V + Z)
(4 Marks)
b) Write an assembly program to evaluate the expression:
A = (B + C) × D - E
i. 2-address instruction
ii. 1-address instructions
iii. 0-address instructions
(6 Marks)
Question Three
**a) Briefly explain the difference between computer architecture and computer organization? ** (2 Marks)
b) Computer offer a family of models all with the same architecture but with differences in organization. What is the advantage(s) of this approach?
(2 Marks)
c) As a computer architect at Computrax Company Limited, Christina has decided to include a multiply instruction in an instruction set for a new computer family. However, Christina is bothered on whether that multiply instruction will be implemented by a special multiply unit or by a mechanism that makes repeated use of an add unit of a new computer system.
i. Briefly explain whether Christina is faced with an architectural or organizational decision
(3 Marks)
ii. Based on your answer in c(i) above, assist Christina by providing at least four (4) factors that she can use in making decision.
(3 Marks)
Question Four
a) Differentiate between CISC and RISC design architectures and give at least two examples for each.
(4 Marks)
b) Briefly explain overlapped Register window.
(2 Marks)
c) With clear reasons and example’s, explain which one is better between CISC and RISC architecture. (2 Marks)
d) Explain why RISC is said to be the architecture of the future. (2 Marks)
Question Five
a) What is difference between DRAM and SRAM. (3 Marks)
b) What architectural solution does the memory hierarchy provide to the performance of computer system? Briefly explain how? (4 Marks)
c) Why cache memory is faster than main memory? Give three reasons. (3 Marks)
Question Six
a) Briefly explain the following classes of pipeline hazards
i. Data hazard.
ii. Control hazard.
iii. Structural hazard.
(6 Marks)
b) Briefly explain the techniques used to deal with Data and Control hazards. (2 Marks)
c) Clearly define all three performance measures for the goodness of a pipeline and write down their equations
(2 Marks)
END OF TEST