Influence of Input/output Operations on Processor Performance

Nowadays, computers are frequently equipped with peripherals that transfer great amounts of data between them and the system memory using direct memory access techniques (i.e., digital cameras, high speed networks, . . . ). Those peripherals prevent the processor from accessing system memory for significant periods of time (i.e., while they are communicating with system memory in order to send or receive data blocks). In this paper we study the negative effects that I/O operations from computer peripherals have on processor performance. With the help of a set of routines (SMPL) used to make discrete event simulators, we have developed a configurable software that simulates a computer processor and main memory as well as the I/O scenarios where the periph-erals operate. This software has been used to analyze the performance of four different processors in four I/O scenarios: video capture, video capture and playback, high speed network, and serial transmission

Transfer of innovation - using research tools for engineering education

In this article, the authors show how, in the pursuit of research results, they can obtain excellent tools and data for engineering education. In particular, they describe one example of computer architecture in the Computer Engineering Degree Programme at the University of Cádiz in Spain. This research topic is of particular importance as it influences the execution of a range of the computer’s I/O operations, due to operations of peripherals and information devices, and determines processor performance. The simulator used in research and teaching in several engineering degree programmes at the University of Cádiz is also demonstrated in this article