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J277 1.1 Consolidation
Part 6 of 6 · J277 1.1 Systems Architecture
This worksheet consolidates the entire OCR J277 1.1 Systems Architecture topic. Pupils review CPU purpose, components, architecture, the fetch-execute cycle, and embedded systems through a mixture of recall, applied scenarios, and synthesis questions. It is moderately demanding, encouraging precise factual recall, explanation, and evaluation.
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- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Shared 29 Jul 2026
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Systems architecture 6: consolidation and application
This worksheet brings together the whole of OCR J277 section 1.1:
- CPU purpose and components
- clock speed, cache size and number of cores
- Von Neumann architecture and the four required registers
- the fetch-execute cycle
- embedded systems
You are not expected to recall everything perfectly on the first attempt. Use the early questions to find what is secure and what needs another look. Later questions remove the scaffolding and ask you to compare, apply and make a judgement. Complete the final section without looking back if you are using this as an end-of-topic check.
The ______ coordinates the CPU and can ______ instructions. The ______ performs calculations and ______. ______ holds frequently used data and instructions for quick access, while ______ temporarily hold particular data, instructions or addresses.- control unit
- arithmetic logic unit
- cache
- registers
- decode
- logical operations
The ______ stores the ______ of the next instruction. The ______ stores an address currently being accessed. The ______ stores ______ or an instruction being transferred. The ______ stores data being processed or an ALU result.- Program Counter
- Memory Address Register
- Memory Data Register
- accumulator
- address
- data
Which five statements are accurate? Select all that apply.
- AThe PC stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched
- BThe accumulator performs calculations instead of the ALU
- CThe ALU performs arithmetic calculations and logical operations
- DDoubling clock speed guarantees every program will finish in exactly half the time
- EA larger cache can hold more frequently used data and instructions
- FMore cores may provide little benefit if software cannot use parallel processing
- GOCR requires every register transfer in the fetch stage to be memorised in exact order
- HAn embedded-system answer should identify a dedicated function in its larger system
Describe the function of the control unit, ALU, cache and registers.
Write one precise point for each component. Avoid merely repeating the component name.
Students type their answer here.
Describe the fetch, decode and execute stages of the fetch-execute cycle.
Write one developed point for each stage. Add relevant components or registers where they improve the explanation.
Students type their answer here.
Applied scenario: choosing a processor
A design studio is comparing two processors for software that can render several parts of an animation at the same time.
| Processor | Clock speed | Cache size | Cores |
|---|---|---|---|
| X | 4.2 GHz | 8 MB | 4 |
| Y | 3.6 GHz | 24 MB | 12 |
Read all three characteristics. The task can use several cores, but Processor X has the higher clock speed.
Recommend processor X or Y for the design studio. Justify your choice using all three CPU performance characteristics.
State the choice first. For each characteristic, quote the comparison, explain how it affects performance and apply it to rendering. Include a trade-off. More than one choice can be defended if the reasoning is accurate.
Students type their answer here.
During processing, the next instruction is stored at memory address 350. The instruction is transferred to the CPU and an ALU operation produces the value 42.
Identify the register associated with each of these values and state what it stores:
A. The address of the next instruction
B. The address currently being accessed
C. The transferred instruction
D. The result 42
Write four register-purpose pairs. Distinguish addresses from data or instructions.
Students type their answer here.
A bridge contains a controller that monitors vibration sensors and activates warning signs when readings exceed safe limits. Explain why the controller is an embedded system.
Develop three characteristics and apply each one to the bridge controller.
Students type their answer here.
Final synthesis
The bridge controller from the previous question still contains a CPU. Its program instructions must be processed through the fetch-execute cycle. The ALU can compare sensor readings with a safety limit, while the control unit coordinates the processing and resulting output.
A high-quality systems-architecture answer can connect levels of explanation:
device purpose → instruction being processed → CPU component action → result in the scenario
The final challenge asks you to make those connections independently.
Challenge: bring performance and embedded systems together. The bridge authority is considering a replacement controller with a higher clock speed, a larger cache and four cores instead of two. Evaluate how these changes could affect the controller and whether the largest specification is necessarily the best choice.
To evaluate, explain how each characteristic affects performance, apply it to sensor monitoring and warning control, consider task or software limitations, then reach a judgement.
Students type their answer here.
Final closed-book retrieval: Write ten precise facts about systems architecture. Include at least two CPU components, two registers, two fetch-execute stages, two performance characteristics and two embedded-system characteristics.
Use full terms and a precise verb in every fact. Do not look back until you have written all ten.
Students type their answer here.
Self-check
After completing the final retrieval, check each statement against these questions:
- Did I name the exact component, register or characteristic?
- Did I say what it stores, manages or performs?
- Did I distinguish an address from data?
- Did I explain how the performance characteristic causes an effect rather than saying only “faster”?
- Did I apply embedded-system characteristics to the stated controller?
- Did I avoid detailed register transfers that OCR does not require?
Rewrite any statement that fails one of these checks.