Introduction to Microprocessors
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What you'll learn
The purpose, specs, components and activities of a CPU
The differences and uses of RAM, ROM, and cache memory
The purpose and activities of buses and registers
Opcode, operands and memory addresses
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
4 assignments
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There are 6 modules in this course
Introduction to Microprocessors is targeted at anyone with an interest in learning the basics of computer architecture, microprocessors and CPUs.
Do you want to understand how the central processing unit (CPU) of a microprocessor works? How the code you type is actually executed by your computer? Presented by engineers from Arm, this course provides you with an introduction to the central components of processors including: - the Arithmetic Logic Unit, or ALU, and the arithmetic and logical operations it carries out; - the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle or FDE within different architectures; - pipelining, or how a CPU decides what to prioritize and the challenges faced when doing so; - types of memory and their uses; - the process that high level code, such as C#, goes through to get converted into machine code; - assembly code, an interim step between high level and machine level code; and - how assembling and compiling work together to produce object code or executable files. To get the most out of this course, learners should already be familiar with basic Boolean algebra and have experience of programming in object code, such as Python or C.
Meet your instructors and learn what you can expect from the course.
What's included
2 videos
2 videos•Total 4 minutes
- Meet Your Instructors•0 minutes
- Welcome Video•3 minutes
This first module will introduce you to the central processing unit, or CPU, of a computer. We will introduce the basic components of a computer before introducing the components of the CPU itself. We'll help you understand the different types of memory inside a computer, registers within the CPU, and the data lines, or buses, which are used to carry data and instructions around the CPU. Finally, you will be introduced to the concept of binary instructions and their component parts, opcodes, operands, and addressing modes, as well as an insight into why binary is so important in the world of computers.
What's included
6 videos9 readings1 assignment
6 videos•Total 21 minutes
- Welcome to Module 1•1 minute
- The Basic Components of a Personal Computer•4 minutes
- The Role and Purpose of a CPU and Some of Its Components•5 minutes
- The Purpose of RAM, ROM, Buses, and Registers•4 minutes
- Opcodes, Operands, and Memory Addressing Modes•4 minutes
- Final Thoughts: Introduction to the CPU•2 minutes
9 readings•Total 163 minutes
- 1.1 The Basic Components of a Personal Computer•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•10 minutes
- 1.2 The Role and Purpose of a CPU and Some of Its Components•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- 1.3 The Purpose of RAM, ROM, Buses, and Registers•30 minutes
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- 1.4 Opcodes, Operands, and Memory Addressing Modes•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- Stretch Tasks•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
- Graded Questions•20 minutes
This module will introduce you to the heart of the CPU - the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the basic arithmetic operations, as well as some of the Boolean operations that it performs.
What's included
5 videos7 readings1 assignment
5 videos•Total 12 minutes
- Welcome to Module 2•1 minute
- Introduction to the ALU and the Decode Unit•4 minutes
- Arithmetic and Logical Operations•3 minutes
- Input, Process, and Output•3 minutes
- Final Thoughts: The ALU and Decode Unit•1 minute
7 readings•Total 152 minutes
- 2.1 Introduction to the ALU and the Decode Unit•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- 2.2 Arithmetic and Logical Operations•30 minutes
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- 2.3 Input, Process, and Output•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- Stretch Tasks•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
- Graded Questions•20 minutes
In this module, you will learn about the process to organize the execution of instructions - the fetch-decode-execute cycle (FDE). We will look at some of the elements which impact the performance of the CPU, and you will be introduced to the concept of pipelining.
What's included
5 videos7 readings1 assignment
5 videos•Total 15 minutes
- Welcome to Module 3•1 minute
- The Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle and the Impact of Interrupts•5 minutes
- A Range of Factors That Impact the Performance of a CPU•5 minutes
- Scheduling Algorithms and Pipelining•3 minutes
- Final Thoughts: The Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle•2 minutes
7 readings•Total 123 minutes
- 3.1 The Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle and the Impact of Interrupts•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- 3.2 A Range of Factors That Impact the Performance of a CPU•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- 3.3 Scheduling Algorithms and Pipelining•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- Stretch Tasks•30 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
- Graded Questions•20 minutes
In this module you will be introduced to a sub-set of assembly code mnemonics used by an Arm processor and executed in the ASim emulator.
What's included
6 videos6 readings1 assignment
6 videos•Total 15 minutes
- Welcome to Module 4•3 minutes
- The Need for and Layout of Assembly Code Instructions•3 minutes
- ASim Demonstration Video•2 minutes
- Creating Usable Machine Code from Assembly Language•4 minutes
- The Basic Processes Involved in Compilation•3 minutes
- Final Thoughts: Assembly Language•1 minute
6 readings•Total 54 minutes
- 4.1 The Need for and Layout of Assembly Code Instructions•2 minutes
- Action Point ⚡•10 minutes
- 4.2 Creating Usable Machine Code from Assembly Language•1 minute
- 4.3 The Basic Processes Involved in Compilation•1 minute
- Action Point ⚡•30 minutes
- Stretch Tasks•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Graded Questions•30 minutes
Recap what has been learned in the course.
What's included
1 video1 reading1 plugin
1 video•Total 2 minutes
- Final Thoughts: End of course•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Share your experience•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
- End of Course Survey•15 minutes
Instructor
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Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
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University of Colorado Boulder
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