Computer Architectures (CS 401)

2021 Spring
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Computer Sci.& Eng.(CS)
4
8/6 ECTS (for students admitted in the 2013-14 Academic Year or following years)
Atıl Utku Ay utku.ay@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
CS303
Formal lecture
Interactive
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Programs\Type Required Core Elective Area Elective
Computer Science and Engineering *
Computer Science and Engineering *
Electronics Engineering *
Electronics Engineering *
Materials Science and Nano Engineering *
Materials Science and Nano Engineering (Previous Name: Materials Science and Engineering) *
Mechatronics Engineering *
Mechatronics Engineering *
Microelectronics *
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering *
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering (Pre. Name: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering) *
Telecommunications *

CONTENT

This is an introductory course on computer architecture. Topics include: basics of the von Neumann machine, instruction set architecture, instruction formats addressing modes, machine language, instruction fetch, decode and execution cycle, data path and arithmetic logic unit design, arithmetic algorithms, hardwired and microprogrammed control organization, input and output organization,memory interface

OBJECTIVE

To explore the interaction between the hardware organization of modern computers and software, and to reveal the impact of the hardware organization on the performance of the software.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Explain the factors that affect a computer system performance and provide performance metrics to evaluate a computer system.
  • Explain how an instruction is executed in a computer hardware with a classical architecture (e.g., von Neumann machine).
  • Summarize how instructions and data are represented at the machine level and how basic arithmetic is performed.
  • Write simple programs in assembly language for at least one computer architecture.
  • Explain how subroutine calls are handled in one programming language (e.g., the assembly language level).
  • Explain the effect of memory latency on the performance of a computer platform and the use of memory hierarchy to reduce the effective memory latency.
  • Describe the principles of memory management and the role of memory organization (cache and virtual memory etc.) in overall computer performance.
  • Explain at least one I/O mechanism for the processor to communicate with I/O devices.
  • Describe data storage technologies used in computer system and discuss reliability concerns.
  • Explain basic instruction level parallelism using pipelining and the major hazards that may occur and the concept of branch prediction and its utility.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 1

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 1

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 3

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 4

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 4

1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 4

2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; choose and apply suitable analysis and modeling methods for this purpose. 4

3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; possess knowledge of standards used in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 4

4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling specified needs; apply modern design techniques for this purpose. 4

5. Design and conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret the results to investigate complex engineering problems or program-specific research areas. 4

6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management and change management; awareness on innovation; knowledge of sustainable development. 1

7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, health and societal context; knowledge of contemporary issues; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; knowledge of behavior according to ethical principles, understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. 2

8. Have the ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions. 4

1. Comprehend key concepts in biology and physiology, with emphasis on molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular and cell biology as well as advanced mathematics and statistics. 1

2. Develop conceptual background for interfacing of biology with engineering for a professional awareness of contemporary biological research questions and the experimental and theoretical methods used to address them. 1

1. Design, implement, test, and evaluate a computer system, component, or algorithm to meet desired needs and to solve a computational problem. 4

2. Demonstrate knowledge of discrete mathematics and data structures. 4

3. Demonstrate knowledge of probability and statistics, including applications appropriate to computer science and engineering. 2

1. Use mathematics (including derivative and integral calculations, probability and statistics, differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables and discrete mathematics), basic sciences, computer and programming, and electronics engineering knowledge to (a) Design and analyze complex electronic circuits, instruments, software and electronics systems with hardware/software or (b) Design and analyze communication networks and systems, signal processing algorithms or software 5

1. Applying fundamental and advanced knowledge of natural sciences as well as engineering principles to develop and design new materials and establish the relation between internal structure and physical properties using experimental, computational and theoretical tools. 1

2. Merging the existing knowledge on physical properties, design limits and fabrication methods in materials selection for a particular application or to resolve material performance related problems. 1

3. Predicting and understanding the behavior of a material under use in a specific environment knowing the internal structure or vice versa. 1

1. Familiarity with concepts in statistics and optimization, knowledge in basic differential and integral calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, complex variables, multi-variable calculus, as well as physics and computer science, and ability to use this knowledge in modeling, design and analysis of complex dynamical systems containing hardware and software components. 3

2. Ability to work in design, implementation and integration of engineering applications, such as electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, control and computer systems that contain software and hardware components, including sensors, actuators and controllers. 3

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 37
Midterm 25
Assignment 10
Individual Project 10
Homework 10
Other 8

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook

John L. Hennessy & David A. Patterson. Computer Organization and Design ARM Edition: The Hardware Software Interface, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Inc., (ISBN-13: 978-0128017333).