Kursbeskrivning
The goal of this course is to introduce the operation of computer systems at the level of Instruction Set Architectures (ISA). It aims to provide a basic understanding of the design principles that govern modern computer architectures and their components. Especially it pays attention to (super scalar) pipelining and memory hierarchy techniques including caches. Implementation and efficiency issues are exemplified. Metrical performance analysis methods are discussed to evaluate architectural alternatives.
Contents
The course introduces the foundations of
low-level computer functioning. The course syllabus includes, among
other things, the main parts of computer system and low-level
programming techniques and the techniques of RISC-processors and
pipelining, cache memory and virtual memory. The course also
illuminates the alternative design principles of modern computer
architectures in order to provide an understanding of their impact on
performance. Quantitative methods to evaluate design principles for
performance constitutes an important subject of the course. In coarse
overview, the lectures treat:
· Performance
· ISA principles
· Pipelining
· Memory Systems
· Cases studies