Computer Organization and Architecture Course Outline
I. Introduction to Computer Organization and Architecture
Overview of Computer Organization and Architecture
Definition and importance
Distinction between organization and architecture
Historical Development of Computer Systems
Evolution of computing hardware
Key milestones and technological advancements
II. Basic Computer Organization
Basic Structure of Computers
Von Neumann architecture
Harvard architecture
Functional Units of a Computer
Input unit, output unit, memory unit
Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU)
Control unit
Data Representation
Binary numbers
Number systems (decimal, binary, octal, hexadecimal)
Fixed-point and floating-point representation
III. Processor Design and Implementation
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Components and functions
CPU performance factors
Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
Types of instructions (data transfer, arithmetic, control)
Addressing modes
Microarchitecture
Instruction cycle (fetch, decode, execute)
Pipelining concepts and stages
Superscalar architecture
RISC vs. CISC Architectures
Characteristics and differences
Advantages and disadvantages
IV. Memory Hierarchy
Memory Basics
Types of memory (primary, secondary, cache)
Memory organization and hierarchy
Cache Memory
Cache structure and operation
Cache mapping techniques (direct, associative, set-associative)
Cache coherence and consistency
Main Memory
RAM types (DRAM, SRAM)
Memory modules and error detection/correction
Virtual Memory
Concept and importance
Paging and segmentation
Page replacement algorithms
V. Input/Output Organization
I/O Basics
I/O devices and types
I/O interface and ports
I/O Techniques
Programmed I/O
Interrupt-driven I/O
Direct Memory Access (DMA)
I/O Hardware
Buses and bus architecture
PCI, USB, SATA
I/O Software
Device drivers
Interrupt handling
VI. Data Path and Control Unit Design
Data Path Design
Components of data path
Data path operations and control signals
Control Unit Design
Hardwired control unit
Microprogrammed control unit
Control Unit Implementation
Control signals and sequence generation
Finite State Machines (FSM)
VII. Advanced Processor Concepts
Pipelining
Basic concepts and benefits
Pipeline hazards (structural, data, control)
Techniques to mitigate hazards
Instruction-Level Parallelism (ILP)
Concepts and importance
Dynamic scheduling and out-of-order execution
Advanced Architectures
SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data)
MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data)
VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word)
EPIC (Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing)
VIII. Parallel Processing and Multiprocessing
Introduction to Parallel Processing
Need for parallel processing
Types of parallelism (data, task, instruction)
Multiprocessor Systems
Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP)
Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP)
Multicore processors
Interconnection Networks
Network topologies (bus, ring, star, mesh, hypercube)
Network protocols and communication
IX. Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking
Performance Metrics
Throughput, latency, speedup, efficiency
Benchmarking
Standard benchmarks (SPEC, TPC)
Benchmarking methodologies
Performance Optimization Techniques
Compiler optimizations
Hardware optimizations
X. Specialized Computing Architectures
Embedded Systems
Characteristics and applications
Design considerations
Real-Time Systems
Definition and requirements
Real-time scheduling algorithms
Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
DSP architectures and applications
Graphics Processing Units (GPU)
GPU architecture and applications
GPGPU (General-Purpose computing on GPUs)
XI. Case Studies and Emerging Trends
Case Studies of Modern Computer Architectures
Analysis of contemporary CPUs and systems
Emerging Trends in Computer Architecture
Quantum computing
Neuromorphic computing
Photonic computing
XII. Practical Applications and Projects
Hands-On Labs and Simulations
Simulating basic computer operations
Implementing simple control units and data paths
Capstone Project
Designing and implementing a small-scale computer system
Project presentation and evaluation
XIII. Best Practices and Future Directions
Design Best Practices
Scalability and modularity
Power efficiency and thermal management
Future Directions in Computer Architecture
Anticipated technological advancements
Potential challenges and opportunities
XIV. Further Learning Resources
Books and Online Courses
Recommended readings
Online platforms for further learning
Practice Websites and Coding Challenges
Simulations and modeling tools
Community Support and Forums
Stack Overflow, GitHub communities, Reddit engineering groups
XV. Conclusion
Summary of Key Concepts
Encouragement for Continued Learning
Final Thoughts on the Importance of Computer Organization and Architecture