Instruction Cycle
Instruction Cycle
Branch: BCA
Semester: 3
Subject: Computer Architecture
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Instruction Cycle
A program that exists inside a computer's memory unit consists of a series of instructions. The
processor executes these instructions through a cycle for each instruction.
In a basic computer, each instruction cycle consists of the following phases:
Instruction fetch: fetch instruction from memory
Decode the instruction: what operation to be performed.
Read the effective address from memory
Execute the instruction
Instruction
fetch
Decode
Execute instruction
instruction
Read EA from
memory
Step 2: The address in MAR is put on the address bus, now a Read order is provided by the
control unit on the control bus, and the result appears on the data bus and is then copied into
the memory buffer register. Program counter is incremented by one, to get ready for the next
instruction. These two acts can be carried out concurrently to save time.
Step 3: The content of the MBR is moved to the instruction register(IR).
References:
1. John P Hayes “Computer Architecture and organization” McGraw Hill
2. Dezso Sima,Terence Fountain and Peter Kacsuk “ Advanced Computer
Architecture” Pearson Education
3. Kai Hwang “ Advanced Computer Architecture” TMH
4. Linda Null, Julia Lobur- The Essentials of Computer Organization and
Architecture, 2014, 4th Edition.