Von Neumann Vs. Harvard Architecture: Understand the Difference Between Von Neumann and Harvard Architecture
The architecture of any micro-controller or a micro-computer mainly assign to the overall arrangement of the constituent CPU (it happens with respect to the ROM and RAM). Here, Harvard and Von Neumann architecture handle as the two main ways using which the microcontroller gets its CPU arrangement with the ROM and RAM. In this article, we will take a look at the difference between Von Neumann and Harvard Architecture in depth.
But let us first know about both of them briefly.
What is Von Neumann Architecture?
It is a sort of digital computer architecture in which the design obey the conception of the computers with saved programs where they save the program data along with the instruction data in the very same memory. The famous physicist and mathematician John Von Neumann designed this architecture back in 1945.
What is Harvard Architecture?
It is a sort of digital computer architecture in which the design obey a basic theory of having different signal locations (buses) and separate storage for data and instructions. This type of architecture basically capped to overcome the overall bottleneck of the Von Neumann Architecture.
Difference Between Von Neumann and Harvard Architecture
Parameters
Von Neumann Architecture
Harvard Architecture
Definition
The Von Neumann Architecture is an ancient sort of computer architecture that obey the theory of a stored-program computer.
Harvard Architecture is a modern sort of computer architecture that obey the theory of the relay-based model by Harvard Mark I.
Physical Address
It uses one single physical address for accessing and storing both data and instructions.
It uses two different physical addresses for storing and accessing both instructions and data.
Buses (Signal Paths)
One common signal location (bus) helps in the transfer of both instruction and data.
It uses different buses for the transfer of both data and instructions.
Number of Cycles
It requires two clock cycles for executing a single instruction.
It executes any instruction using only one single period.
Cost
It is comparatively cheaper in cost than Harvard Architecture.
It is comparatively more expensive than the Von Neumann Architecture.
Access to CPU
The CPU is not able to read/write data and access instructions at the same time.
The CPU can easily read/write data as well as access the instructions at any given time.
Uses
This method comes to play in the case of small computers and personal computers.
This architecture is best for signal processing as well as microcontrollers.
Requirement of Hardware
As compared to Harvard Architecture, Von Neumann Architecture requires lesser architecture. It is because it only needs to reach one common memory.
This one requires more hardware. It is because it requires independent groups of data as well as address buses for individual memory.
Usage of Space
This architecture does not waste any space. It is because the instruction memory can utilize the left space of the data memory. It can also happen vice-versa.
This type of architecture can result in space wastage. It is because the instruction memory cannot utilize the leftover space in the data memory. It also cannot happen vice-versa.
Execution Speed
The speed of execution of the Von Neumann Architecture is comparatively slower. It is because it is not capable of fetching the instructions and data both at the same time.
The overall speed of execution of Harvard Architecture is comparatively faster. It is because the processor, in this case, is capable of fetching both instructions and data at the very same time.
Controlling
The process of controlling becomes comparatively simpler with this architecture. It is because it fetches either instructions or data at any given time.
The process of controlling becomes comparatively complex with this architecture. It is because it basically fetches both instructions and data simultaneously at the very same time.
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