Computer architecture

CS-200 / 8 credits

Teacher: Ienne Paolo

Language: English

Summary

This course completes the overview of computer architecture started on the first year (CS-173 DSD).

Content

  • Complex digital systems in Verilog
  • Basic components of a computer
  • Instruction Set Architectures (RISC-V)
  • Memory Hierarchy
  • IOs and Exceptions
  • Instruction Level Parallelism
  • Multiprocessors and Cache Coherence

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

CS-173 Fundamentals of digital systems

Recommended courses

None

Important concepts to start the course

  • Digital logic (combinational and sequential circuits, FSMs)
  • Basic notions of processors and assembly

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Structure nontrivial assembly language programs
  • Add interrupt handling logic in a processor and write simple exception handlers in assembler
  • Understand the design principles of a modern memory hierarchy
  • Understand the interaction mechanisms of system software with hardware
  • Design pipelined digital circuits at Register Transfer Level
  • Optimize the performance of a processor pipeline by reordering instructions

Teaching methods

  • Ex cathedra
  • Exercises
  • Projects

Expected student activities

  • Attending the course and exercise/lab sessions
  • Completing the exercises and lab assignments
  • Participating in the discussion on the forum

Assessment methods

  • Graded lab assignments
  • Midterm exam
  • Written exam

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants Yes

Resources

Moodle Link

Prerequisite for

Computer Systems

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Computer architecture
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Lab: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Computer architecture
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Lab: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Computer architecture
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Lab: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: Written (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Computer architecture
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Lab: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

Related courses

Results from graphsearch.epfl.ch.