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Computer Architecture (Spring 2008) |
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| Course code : | EARK-U01 | ||
| ECTS Credits : | 7,5 | Status : | Optional for specified Programme |
| Revised : | 04/02 2008 | Written : | 28/01 2002 |
| Placement : | 5-7 semester | Hours per week : | 4 |
| Length : | 1 semester | Teaching Language : | English if English students are present |
| Objective : | Computer Architecture is one of the classical topics within computer science dealing with the hardware-software duality and the many ways the design of hardware and software systems influence each other. Major topics are typically translation of programs written in high level languages into executable programs, interaction between hardware and software, and last but not least measures to increase computer performance. Learning outcomes I. Ability to describe 1. the instruction set architecture and its reflection in the internal operations 2. the concepts of memory organisation and different characteristics of memory devices 3. the concepts and features of pipelined processors 4. concepts of cache memory systems and the impacts on program performance II. Ability to explain 1. advantages and disadvantages of different instructions set architectures 2. the memory hierarchy and its relation to operating systems and application programs 3. advantages and disadvantages of different cache memory systems 4. advantages and disadvantages of different pipelined systems III. Ability to analyse and compare computer design alternatives by devising programs to demonstrate or simulate 1. memory hierarchy effects 2. cache memory effects 3. pipeline effects |
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| Principal Content : | • Layered architectures and their characteristics. • Instruction Set Architectures and internal operation • Computer Arithmetic • Compilers, assemblers, and linkers. • CPU design – Pipelining - RISC and CISC processors. • Hierarchical memory systems |
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| Teaching method : | Theory combined with practical exercises and working on a course assignment. Theory will be approximately 50% of the time. | ||
| Required prequisites : | Knowledge of microprocessors and programming corresponding to the second semester. | ||
| Recommended prerequisites : | Programming skills in C / C++. | ||
| Relations : | Operating systems have a close relationship with computer architecture. Hence this course in Computer Architecture and the course in Operating Systems (OS) can benefit from each other. | ||
| Type of examination : | Oral examination based on assignments | ||
| External examiner : | Internal | ||
| Marking : | 7 step scale | ||
| Remarks : | The student will present an assignment picked at random among the mandatory assignments. The presentation must cover relevant theory as well as the practical solution of the assignment. The duration of the exam is approximately 30 minutes per student. Evaluation 2: if the student fulfils the criteria from I 7: if further the criteria from II are met 12: if all criteria from I, II and III are met and presented in a way showing professional insight and overview. |
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| Teaching material : | David A. Patterson & John L. Hennessy Computer Organization and Design, 3rd ed. (COD) Morgan-Kaufmann Publications, 2005 ISBN 1-55860-604-1 |
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| Responsible teacher : | Henning Haugaard
, henhu@dtu.dk |
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