Computer Hardware and Architecture Y, 6 credits (TSEA28)

Main field of study

Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering

Course level

First cycle

Advancement level

G1X

Course offered for

• Computer Science and Software Engineering, M Sc in Engineering
• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering - International, M Sc in Engineering
• Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, M Sc in Engineering

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

Switching theory and logical design. Basic knowledge in analogue electronics. Be able to perform a simple programming task.

Intended learning outcomes

To give knowledge about how a computer works and how it is programmed at the lowest level. After the course the student shall be able to:

• Design a simple computer by use of discrete components. The computer shall support arithmetic instructions, memory instructions, jump instructions and subroutines.
• Make calculations by use of binary arithmetics, such as two's complement
• Implement hardware for binary calculations
• Implement the instruction set in a computer by use of microprogramming.
• Explain basic mechanisms that are used in order to improve the performance of a computer system, such as pipelining, cache, and DMA

  Have knowledge of advanced techniques that are can be used in a computer in order to increase the parallelism such as superscalar processors, multiprocessor systems, and ASIPs

• Programme a computer in assembly language, including I/O handling and exceptions
• Have knowledge of the functionality of typical I/O units
• Be able to analyze the performance of a computer program

Course content

Binary arithmetic: addition, subtraction, shift, multiplication, ALU.

Computer architecture: computer models, microprogramming, addressing, interrupts, I/O handling, DMA, assembly programming, pipelining

Memory hierarchy, cache memory

Computer performance, profiling

Typical I/O units

Introduction to advanced computer architecture, superscalar processors, multiprocessor systems, ASIPs

Teaching and working methods

Lectures, tutorials, and laboratory work. An introductory lecture on switching theory is given for those students who haven't read that course yet.
The course runs over the entire spring semester.

Examination

LAB1	Laboratory work	U, G	3 credits
TEN1	Written examination	U, 3, 4, 5	3 credits

Grades

Four-grade scale, LiU, U, 3, 4, 5

Other information

Supplementary courses: Electronics project, Computer Engineering and Real-time Systems, Design of embedded DSP processors, A Computer System on a Chip

Department

Institutionen för systemteknik

Director of Studies or equivalent

Tomas Svensson

Examiner

Kent Palmkvist

Course website and other links

Education components

Preliminary scheduled hours: 56 h
Recommended self-study hours: 104 h

Course literature

Alan Clements:Computer Organization & Architecture - Themes and Variations Laborationsanvisningar