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
Computer Architectures (CS 401)
Programs\Type | Required | Core Elective | Area Elective |
BA- Political Science | |||
BA-Cultural Studies | |||
BA-Cultural Studies | |||
BA-Economics | |||
BA-Economics | |||
BA-International Studies | |||
BA-International Studies | |||
BA-Management | |||
BA-Management | |||
BA-Political Sci.&Inter.Relat. | |||
BA-Political Sci.&Inter.Relat. | |||
BA-Social & Political Sciences | |||
BA-Visual Arts&Visual Com.Des. | |||
BA-Visual Arts&Visual Com.Des. | |||
BS-Biological Sci.&Bioeng. | * | ||
BS-Computer Science & Eng. | * | ||
BS-Computer Science & Eng. | * | ||
BS-Electronics Engineering | * | ||
BS-Electronics Engineering | * | ||
BS-Industrial Engineering | |||
BS-Manufacturing Systems Eng. | |||
BS-Materials Sci. & Nano Eng. | * | ||
BS-Materials Science & Eng. | * | ||
BS-Mechatronics | * | ||
BS-Mechatronics | * | ||
BS-Microelectronics | * | ||
BS-Molecular Bio.Gen.&Bioeng | * | ||
BS-Telecommunications | * |
CONTENT
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 OUTCOME
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.
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ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA
Percentage (%) | |
Final | 35 |
Midterm | 25 |
Assignment | 15 |
Individual Project | 10 |
Homework | 15 |
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). |