TCSS 372A Computer Architecture (Fall 2009)

Course Description:      

 Covers the micro architecture level of machine design and advanced architecture features for performance enhancement. Subjects include I/O, bus, memory and CPU design, hardware support for operating systems, CISC/RISC architectures, and parallelism.
(CSS 372 Course Objectives)
Prerequisites: a minimum grade of 2.0 in both TCSS 371 and TCSS 342.

Lecture:

 TTh 4:15 - 6:20   CP105

Professor:  

Larry A. Crum, Professor Emeritus
Office: Cherry Parkes 224
Office Hours:   TTh 9:30 - 10:15,   TTh 2:30 - 4:00,   & by Appointment
Phone: (253) 692-5866
Email: lcrum@uw.edu

Text:

        
Computer Organization and Architecture      
Designing for Performance
Eighth Edition (2009)

William Stallings
Pearson Prentice Hall  
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-608860-8
This book is about the structure and function of computers. Its purpose is to present, as clearly and completely as possible, the nature and characteristics of modern-day computer systems.

A computer system, like any system, consists of an interrelated set of components. The system is best characterized in terms of structure - the operation of the individual components. Futhermore, a computer's organization is hierarchical. Each major component can be further described by decomposing it into its major subcomponents and describing their structure and function. For clarity and ease of understanding, this hierarchical organization is described in this book from the top down:
  • Computer System: Major components are processor, memory, and I/O,

  • Processor: Major components are control unit, registers, ALU, and instruction,

  • Control Unit: Provides control signals for the operation and coordination of all processor components. Traditionally, microprogramming implementation has been used. More recently, microprogramming has been less prominent but remains an implementation technique.

Website:   http://www.williamstallings.com/COA/COA8e.html

References:

 Introduction to Computing Systems, From Bits & Gates to C & Beyond, Yale N. Patt & Sanjay J. Patel, McGraw Hill, 2004
Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface, (Fourth Edition), David A. Patterson & John L. Hennessy, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers (Elsevier Inc.), 2009
Structured Computer Organization (5th Edition), Andrew S. Tannenbaum, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006
Computer Systems (Third Edition), J. Stanly Warford, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2005
LogicWorksTM 5 Interactive Circuit Design Software, Capilano Computing, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004
Digital Design: Principles and Practices Package (4th Edition), John F. Wakerly, Prentice Hall, 2005
The Art of Electronics (2nd Edition), Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill, Cambridge press, 1989

Class Schedule:

  Week:       Date                            Topic     Reading Lecture Slides/References Assignment (Due 2nd period after assigned
                        30% deduction after due class
                        50% deduction next class)
        1: Thur - Oct 1 Organization, Registers, Data Paths, Timing, Buses, Stacks, Memory Maps Chap 0, 2.1, 2.4-2.5, 3.1-3.4, 3.A Introduction/Review Slides
Homework Format

        2: Tue - Oct 6 ISA Comparisons, Addressing, RISC & CISC Chap 13.1,13.4 ISA, RISC/CISC Slides HW1:     Context Switching
Thur - Oct 8 Arithmetic, Floating Point Chap 9.3-9.5 Arith, FP Slides HW2: 9-15,18,20,24,31,38,39,40

        3 : Tue - Oct 13 Memory Hierarchy: Internal Memory & Issues, Cache Memory Systems Chap 5.1, 5.3, 4.1-4.2 Memory & Direct Cache
Thur - Oct 15 Cache Memory Systems Chap 4.3 Cache Memory HW3: 5-2,8     4-1,5,11,23

        4 : Tue - Oct 20 Error Detection/Correction Chap 5.2 Hamming Code HW4: 5-11,12

Thur - Oct 22 Midterm (Thru Cache Memory Systems) Midterm 1 Solution

        5 : Tue - Oct 27 External Memory, Memory Sharing, Interrupts Chap 6, 7.1-7.4 External Memory Midterm - Problem 6 (Due 10/29)

Thur - Oct 29 Interrupts, DMA, Channels, Contexts, Context Switching Chap 7.5-7.6 DMA & Channels HW5: 6-3,4     7-9,10,11,12(use Crum's definition of cycle stealing)

        6 : Tue - Nov 3 Operating System Support: Scheduling, Multi-Tasking/Threading, Memory Management Chap 8.1- 8.3 OS support HW6a: 8-8,15,17

Thur - Nov 5 Mem Man:Paging, Virtual Memory; Pipelining Chap 12.4 Pipelining HW6b: 12-7,10

        7 : Tue - Nov 10 RISC specific: Register Files, Register Optimization Chap 13.2-13.3, 13.5 RISC Pipelining

Thur - Nov 12 No Class

        8 : Tue - Nov 17 RISC Specific: Pipelining; Review MIPS Pipelining

Thur - Nov 19 Midterm (Thru Nov 5th Material) Midterm 2 Solution

        9 : Tue - Nov 24 Superscalar Machines (class cancelled) Chap 14.1-14.2 Superscalar Machines

Thur - Nov 26 Thanksgiving

        10 : Tue - Dec 1 Superscalar Machines Chap 14.1-14.2 Superscalar Machines HW7: 12- 7,8     13-6,7     MIPS     14-5,6

Thur - Dec 3 Predication, Speculation, & Software Pipelining (IA-64 or EPIC) Chap 21.1-21.5 IA-64 EPIC Architecture


        11 : Tue - Dec 8 Control Units: Hardwired State Machines vs Microprogrammed, Multithreading, Clusters Chap 15.1-15.4, 16.1-16.3, 17.4-17.5 Control Units
Parallel Processing


Thur - Dec 10 Multicore Machines, Recap Chap 18.1-18.4 Multicore Machines
Final Prep


        12 : Thur - Dec 17 Final Exam Final Exam Solution

Grading:

 Midterms (20% each), Final Exam (25%), Homework (25%), Class Contribution (10%)

Characteristics of an A student - Work is outstanding in quality, and shows unusual understanding, insight, and creativity. It is consistently presented very clearly and professionally. (S)he consistently contributes to the understanding of others.
Characteristics of a B student - Work done is complete, predominance of it is correct, and it is well presented. (S)he contributes to the understanding of others.
Characteristics of a C student - Work is basically complete and correct, and it is presented coherently. The student is prepared to use the material in the next course but will likely need additional study in the area.

Plagerism:

 Students are encouraged to collaborate regularly with colleagues to gain a deep understanding of the material, and to gain insight on options for problem solutions. Submitted are to display individual knowledge and accomplishment. Any significant contribution in a submission must be acknowledged and the responsible student or source given due credit. See http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm

Disability Support:

 The University of Washington Tacoma is committed to making physical facilities and instructional programs accessible to students with disabilities. Disability Support Services (DSS) functions as the focal point for coordination of services for students with disabilities. In compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any enrolled student at UW Tacoma who has an appropriately documented physical, emotional, or mental disability that "substantially limits one or more major life activities [including walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working]," is eligible for services from DSS. If you are wondering if you may be eligible for accommodations on our campus, please contact the DSS reception desk at 692-4522, or visit http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/studentaffairs/SHW/dss_about.cfm/

Counseling Center:

 The Counseling Center offers short-term, problem-focused counseling to UW Tacoma students who may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of college, work, family, and relationships. Counselors are available to help students cope with stresses and personal issues that may interfere with their ability to perform in school. The service is provided confidentially and without additional charge to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. To schedule an appointment, please call 692-4522 or stop by the Student Counseling Center (SCC), located in MAT 253. Additional information can also be found by visiting http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/studentaffairs/SHW/scc_about.cfm/

Safety Escorts:

 Safety escorts are available to accompany you to your vehicle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call Campus Safety at 2-4416 from a campus phone, and 253-692-4416 from a non-campus phone.

Reporting Emergencies:

 From campus phones, report emergencies by dialing 9-911 and state the T-number that is on a sticker on the phone; from non-campus phones dial 911. Building location numbers are posted on all buildings. For assistance with non-emergencies call Campus Safety at 2-4416 from a campus phone, and 253-692-4416 from a non-campus phone.

Emergency Procedures:

 In case of emergency, follow your professor’s instructions. When an alarm sounds, evacuate the building immediately. MATT, CP, WG, GWP, and BB buildings assemble in the Cragle Parking Lot south of the library. BHS, WCG, and DOU buildings assemble near the transit station next to the Pinkerton Building on Broadway (across from Spaghetti Factory). Pinkerton occupants go to the convention center parking lot north of Pinkerton. For more information about emergency procedures and information, please go to: http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/safety/