Vector and Array Processors: Online Learning Quizzes for Computer Architecture

Question 1

Which of the following is the main advantage of vector processors over scalar processors in terms of performance?

Accepted Answer

Increased parallelism

Answer

Reduced memory bandwidth requirements

Answer

Improved cache utilization

Answer

Lower power consumption

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a typical area where vector processors are applied?

Accepted Answer

Database management systems

Answer

Scientific computing

Answer

Image processing

Answer

Simulation and modeling

Question 3

What is the purpose of a scatter-gather unit in an array processor?

Accepted Answer

To manage data movement between memory and registers efficiently

Answer

To load data from memory into registers

Answer

To store data from registers to memory

Answer

To perform arithmetic operations on data

Question 4

What is the fundamental difference between a vector instruction and a scalar instruction?

Accepted Answer

A vector instruction operates on multiple data elements simultaneously, while a scalar instruction operates on a single data element.

Answer

A scalar instruction operates on multiple data elements simultaneously, while a vector instruction operates on a single data element.

Answer

Vector instructions are inherently faster than scalar instructions.

Answer

There is no distinction between vector and scalar instructions.

Question 5

A distinctive characteristic of array processors is:

Accepted Answer

SIMD execution model

Answer

Independent instruction streams

Answer

Shared memory architecture

Answer

Scalar processing capabilities

Question 6

According to the Flynn classification, array processors are categorized as:

Accepted Answer

SIMD

Answer

SISD

Answer

MISD

Answer

MIMD

Question 7

Vector registers typically store:

Accepted Answer

Multiple vector values

Answer

A single value

Answer

Multiple scalar values

Answer

Multiple matrix values

Question 8

A significant advantage of using vector processors is:

Accepted Answer

Increased processing throughput

Answer

Reduced latency

Answer

Improved energy efficiency

Answer

Enhanced fault tolerance

Question 9

Systolic arrays are classified as:

Accepted Answer

Array processors

Answer

Vector processors

Answer

Scalar processors

Answer

SIMD processors

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Complex control flow

Answer

High data throughput

Answer

Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) execution

Answer

Wide registers

Question 11

What is the primary advantage of using array processors?

Accepted Answer

Efficient handling of large datasets

Answer

High precision floating-point calculations

Answer

Low power consumption

Answer

High clock speed

Question 12

What is the key difference between a systolic array and a mesh array?

Accepted Answer

Data flow direction

Answer

Number of processing elements

Answer

Type of interconnect

Answer

Clocking scheme

Question 13

What is the purpose of a shuffle unit in a vector processor?

Accepted Answer

Reorder data elements

Answer

Perform floating-point operations

Answer

Compare data elements

Answer

Generate random numbers

Question 14

In vector processors, what is the main factor contributing to cache coherence issues?

Accepted Answer

Concurrent access to shared data by multiple cores

Answer

Insufficient cache size

Answer

Intricate memory architecture

Question 15

Which characteristic is NOT associated with vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Scalar instructions only

Answer

Data parallelism

Answer

Multiple execution units

Answer

Single-instruction stream

Question 16

Which application is commonly suited for vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Digital image processing

Answer

Web browsing

Answer

Database queries

Answer

Spreadsheet calculations

Question 17

What is the purpose of specifying a stride in vector operations?

Accepted Answer

To define the spacing between consecutive elements in memory

Answer

To regulate the number of vector lanes utilized

Answer

To indicate the starting memory address of the vector data

Question 18

What is the main benefit of implementing a systolic array in array processors?

Accepted Answer

Minimized communication overhead

Answer

Boosted computational capability

Answer

Increased memory bandwidth

Question 19

Which factor is crucial in assessing the performance of vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Vector length

Answer

Cache size

Answer

Clock speed

Answer

Branch predictor accuracy

Question 20

What is the primary purpose of gather-scatter operations in vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Accessing non-contiguous memory locations

Answer

Improving vector lane utilization

Answer

Reducing cache misses

Question 21

What distinguishes vector processors from scalar processors?

Accepted Answer

Vector processors can operate on multiple data elements simultaneously, while scalar processors handle one data element at a time.

Answer

Scalar processors use a single instruction stream.

Answer

Vector processors have lower clock speeds.

Question 22

What is the main advantage of using systolic arrays?

Accepted Answer

Systolic arrays offer high throughput for repetitive data processing tasks.

Answer

Systolic arrays simplify programming.

Answer

Systolic arrays increase clock frequency.

Answer

Systolic arrays reduce memory requirements.

Question 23

Which type of array processor is best suited for handling large matrices?

Accepted Answer

Mesh-connected array processors are optimized for matrix operations.

Answer

Linear-connected array processors handle data in a linear fashion.

Answer

Ring-connected array processors are suitable for data circulation.

Answer

Tree-connected array processors are efficient for hierarchical data structures.

Question 24

What is the primary function of a register file in a vector processor?

Accepted Answer

A register file stores intermediate results and vector elements for quick access.

Answer

Control signals are generated by the control unit.

Answer

Instructions are fetched from memory by the instruction fetch unit.

Answer

Arithmetic operations are performed in the arithmetic logic unit (ALU).

Question 25

Which of these is NOT a typical performance metric for array processors?

Accepted Answer

Number of floating-point operations per second is a metric for general processors, not specific to array processors.

Answer

Memory bandwidth directly affects the speed of data transfer.

Answer

Vector length determines the number of elements processed simultaneously.

Answer

Interconnection topology impacts communication efficiency.

Question 26

Which of the following is a real-world example of an application that heavily relies on vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Weather forecasting involves complex simulations that benefit from parallel processing.

Answer

Email management primarily involves text processing and networking.

Answer

Word processing focuses on text manipulation and formatting.

Answer

Web browsing involves data retrieval and display.

Question 27

What is the main challenge in designing efficient algorithms for vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Designing efficient algorithms for vector processors requires exploiting data parallelism and minimizing memory access overhead.

Answer

Reducing control flow divergence is important for general processors, but not specific to vector processors.

Answer

Optimizing cache performance is crucial for all processors, not just vector processors.

Question 28

Which technique is commonly used to enhance the performance of systolic arrays?

Accepted Answer

Pipelining improves the throughput of systolic arrays by overlapping operations.

Answer

Speculative execution aims to predict outcomes, not a common optimization for systolic arrays.

Answer

Virtual memory manages memory allocation, not directly related to systolic array performance.

Answer

Branch prediction is used to optimize instruction execution, but not directly relevant to systolic arrays.

Question 29

What is the primary limitation of vector processors?

Accepted Answer

Vector processors are not well-suited for tasks that cannot be easily broken down into parallel operations.

Answer

While programming vector processors can be complex, it's not their fundamental limitation.

Answer

Cost is a factor, but not the most significant limitation compared to applicability.

Answer

Power consumption is a concern for all processors, not specific to vector processors.