34 | | <li>Read and familiarize ourselves with the components of the breadboard computer.</li> |
35 | | <li>Learned about the components of computers |
36 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
37 | | <li>Fetch-Execute Cycle</li> |
38 | | <li>CPU</li> |
39 | | <li>Random Access Memory (RAM)</li> |
40 | | <li>Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)</li> |
41 | | <li>BUS</li> |
42 | | </ul> |
43 | | </li> |
44 | | </ul> |
45 | | <h1 style="font-size: 35px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px;"> |
46 | | What We Worked On |
47 | | </h1> |
48 | | <h2 style="font-size: 25px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
49 | | Component Familiarization |
50 | | </h2> |
51 | | <p style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 25px;">We began by reading and familiarizing ourselves with the various components required for the breadboard computer, such as:</p> |
52 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 35px;"> |
53 | | <li>Integrated Circuits (ICs)</li> |
54 | | <li>Logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, etc.)</li> |
55 | | <li>Registers</li> |
56 | | <li>Breadboards</li> |
57 | | <li>Wires and Connectors</li> |
58 | | </ul> |
59 | | |
60 | | <h2 style="font-size: 25px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
61 | | Computer Components Learning |
62 | | </h2> |
63 | | <p style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 25px;">We delved into understanding the fundamental components of computers and their functions. This included studying:</p> |
64 | | <h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
65 | | Fetch-Execute Cycle |
66 | | </h2> |
67 | | <p style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 25px;">Understanding the core cycle through which a CPU processes instructions:</p> |
68 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 35px;"> |
69 | | <li><b>Fetch: </b> CPU loads instructions into the registers from RAM.</li> |
70 | | <li><b>Decode: </b> Instruction and its address are sent to the instruction register to be interpreted.</li> |
71 | | <li><b>Execute: </b> The CPU executes the instruction and stores the result in the accumulator.</li> |
72 | | </ul> |
73 | | |
74 | | <h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
75 | | Central Processing Unit (CPU) |
76 | | </h2> |
77 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 35px;"> |
78 | | <li><b>Function:</b> Executes instructions from programs by performing basic arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output operations.</li> |
79 | | <li><b>Parts: </b> |
80 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
81 | | <li><b>Clock:</b> Generates timing signals to coordinate CPU activities. With each tick, the CPU performs steps of the fetch-execute cycle.</li> |
82 | | <li><b>Registers:</b> Temporary storage for data and instructions within the CPU.</li> |
83 | | <li><b>ALU:</b> Executes arithmetic and logical operations.</li> |
84 | | </ul> |
85 | | </li> |
86 | | </ul> |
87 | | |
88 | | <h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
89 | | Random Access Memory (RAM) |
90 | | </h2> |
91 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 35px;"> |
92 | | <li><b>Function:</b> Stores data and machine code currently being used. It allows for quick read and write operations.</li> |
93 | | <li><b>Characteristics: </b> |
94 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
95 | | <li><b>Volatile Memory:</b> Data is lost when power is turned off.</li> |
96 | | <li><b>Direct Access:</b> Any memory location can be accessed directly and quickly.</li> |
97 | | </ul> |
98 | | </li> |
99 | | </ul> |
100 | | |
101 | | <h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
102 | | Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) & BUS |
103 | | </h2> |
104 | | <h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
105 | | ALU |
106 | | </h2> |
107 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 35px;"> |
108 | | <li><b>Functions:</b> |
109 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
110 | | <li>Performs arithmetic operations: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division.</li> |
111 | | <li>Executes logical operations: NOT, OR, AND.</li> |
112 | | </ul> |
113 | | </li> |
114 | | <li><b>Importance: </b> Central to performing computations required by programs.</li> |
115 | | </ul> |
116 | | |
117 | | <h2 style="font-size: 22px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
118 | | BUS |
119 | | </h2> |
120 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 35px;"> |
121 | | <li><b>Purpose: </b> Facilitates communication between the CPU, memory, and other peripherals.</li> |
122 | | <li><b>Types: </b> |
123 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
124 | | <li><b>Data Bus: </b> Carries data between components.</li> |
125 | | <li><b>Address Bus: </b> Carries memory addresses that the CPU wants to access.</li> |
126 | | <li><b>Control Bus: </b> Carries control signals from the CPU to other components.</li> |
127 | | </ul> |
128 | | </li> |
129 | | </ul> |
130 | | |
131 | | <h1 style="font-size: 35px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px;"> |
132 | | Goals For Next Week |
133 | | </h1> |
134 | | <h2 style="font-size: 25px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 25px;"> |
135 | | Tasks |
136 | | </h2> |
137 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 35px;"> |
138 | | <li><b>Model and Test ALU:</b> |
139 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
140 | | <li>Utilize TinkerCad to model and simulate the ALU component of the computer.</li> |
141 | | <li>Ensure correct functioning through testing various arithmetic and logical operations.</li> |
142 | | </ul> |
143 | | </li> |
144 | | |
145 | | <li><b>Documentation:</b> |
146 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
147 | | <li>Begin detailed documentation of each part of the computer.</li> |
148 | | <li>Include schematics, notes, and images for clarity.</li> |
149 | | </ul> |
150 | | </li> |
151 | | |
152 | | <li><b>Clock Monitor:</b> |
153 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
154 | | <li>Start and complete the construction of the clock monitor, which will manage the timing signals within the CPU.</li> |
155 | | </ul> |
156 | | </li> |
157 | | |
158 | | <li><b>Registers</b> |
159 | | <ul style="font-size: 20px; margin-left: 45px;"> |
160 | | <li>Initiate the building of the registers, essential for temporary data storage within the CPU.</li> |
161 | | </ul> |
162 | | </li> |
163 | | |
164 | | |
| 34 | <li>Familiarized with breadboard computer components: <b>ICs, logic gates, registers, breadboards, wires, and connectors.</b></li> |
| 35 | <li>Learned about fundamental computer components: <b>Fetch-Execute Cycle, CPU, RAM, ALU, and BUS.</b></li> |
| 36 | <li>Explored the Fetch-Execute Cycle: <b>Fetch, Decode, Execute.</b></li> |
| 37 | <li>Studied the CPU: <b>functions, clock, registers, and ALU.</b></li> |
| 38 | <li>Understood RAM: <b>its function, volatility, and direct access capabilities.</b></li> |
| 39 | <li>Examined the ALU: <b>performs arithmetic and logical operations.</b></li> |
| 40 | <li>Investigated the BUS: <b>facilitates communication between CPU, memory, and peripherals.</b></li> |
| 41 | <li>Planned tasks for next week: <b>model and test the ALU using TinkerCad, begin detailed documentation, construct the clock monitor, and build the registers.</b></li> |