Question:

(a) Comment on the general structure of the IAS Computer, illustrate your answer using a diagram.

(b) (i) Define CPU time.

(a) (ii) A program runs in 10 seconds on a computer A, which has a 100 MHZ clock. A designer has to build a machine B that will run the same program in 6 seconds. The designer has determined that a substantial increase in clock rate is possible, but this will affect the rest of the CPU design, causing machine B to require 1.2 times as many clock cycles as machine A for this program. What clock rate should the designer target?

(c) Explain what is meant by a "bus". Name the two types of buses and give a brief description of both.

(d) Explain with the help of a diagram how to accommodate interrupts in an instruction cycle.

1. (e) In respect of computer disks, explain the terms:
(i) Sector,
(ii) Track,
(iii) Cylinder.