Computer Systems for the
Electrical FE Exam

by Justin Kauwale, P.E.

Introduction

Computer Systems accounts for approximately 4 to 6 questions on the Electrical & Computer Engineering FE exam. These questions can cover Architecture, Microprocessors, Memory Technology and Systems and Interfacing.

The NCEES FE Reference Handbook Computer Systems section has very little information on computer systems. There are about two pages that briefly explain the overall concepts of architecture, microprocessors and memory systems. There is no information on interfacing.



2.0 COMPUTER SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

3.0 MICROPROCESSORS



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

4.0 MEMORY TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS

The memory technology and systems section of the NCEES FE Reference Handbook provides some insight into the types of problems that could appear on the exam. The topics cover the types of memory system and the methods that memory is read and written. In order to get to those main topics, you first need to understand the definitions of several terms.



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

5.0 INTERFACING

Interfacing in computer systems is how components interact at their shared boundaries. The typical interfaces are the user interfaces, software interfaces and hardware interfaces. The user input components include the keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera, etc. How the computer interfaces with these components is included in interfacing. The software interfaces include how the computer programs interact with the processor, memory, etc. The hardware interfaces include the physical connections and relationships between the various computer components discussed in this section like microprocessors, cache, memory, etc.



This section is continued in more detail in the technical study guide . Also included are many more practice exam problems.

6.0 Practice Problems

6.1 PRACTICE PROBLEM 1 –



6.2 PRACTICE PROBLEM 2 –



6.3 PRACTICE PROBLEM 3 -



Practice Problems 4 through 6 and all solutions included in the technical study guide, along with many more practice exam problems.

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