Course Description
This course is an introduction to computer architecture and organization. It will cover topics in both the physical design of a computer (organization) and the logical design of a computer (architecture). Students will be introduced to microprocessors technologies, internal and external memories and the appreciation of how software and hardware work together. Students will also be introduced to CPU designs and assembly language programming.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to :
- demonstrate an understanding of the physical construction of computer
- explain the information flow between RAM, CPU and I/O devices,
- Explain the evolution of the computers and identify the most appropriate computer for their needs,
- demonstrate an understanding of the internal logical operations of the computer and the CPU in particular
- demonstrate an understanding of performing several calculations and conversions of the different number systems,
- demonstrate an understanding of various technologies in digital level computing,
- Describe I/O techniques, computer display technologies and speed mismatch problems between computer memory and processor,
- Program assembly language through debug program,
- Carry out simple computer diagnosis.
Course Content:
- Introduction to Computer Architecture and Organization
- Computer evolution and performance (Von Neumann, Turing Machine, Intel Processors, Motorola Processors, Computer Generations, Vacuum tubes and transistors technologies,
- Simple Machine Overview(Computer parts and functions)
- system buses and interconnections (address bus, data bus, control bus, program concepts, etc) and Fetch-Decode Execute Cycle, Bus Arbitrations, etc
- Central processing unit (structure and function), ALU, Control and Registers operations,
- Memory Map (Internal Memories (RAM and Cache) and External Memories (disks and tapes), Location, Capacity, Unit of transfer, Access method, Performance, Physical type, Physical characteristics and Organization, Disk Cache Techniques, Cache Design and Performance, Static and Dynamic RAM, etc.
- I/O devices, disk drives and peripheral devices,
- Display technologies (CGA, EGA, VGA, etc) and data display mechanism (Screen RAM) Choices of monitor, Digital Composite, RGB Digital, RGB Analog, (TTL) Display, Some graphic standard for PCs and Display types (CRT, LED, LCD, GP, EL), Viewing Angles and Contrast Ratio, Aspect Ratio,
- Numbering Systems: Decimal, Binary, Octal and Hexadecimal numbers, 1st Complement, 2nd Complement, Conversions, Signed Numbers, etc.
- I/O techniques (Polling, Interrupt Driven and DMA) and I/O Traps, Subroutines and Interrupts,
- Logic gates and digital level computing (AND, OR, NAND, NOR, NOT, XOR, XNOR, etc) and Combinational Logic Systems, Multiplexers, Demultiplexers, Latches, Flip Flops, Adders, Full Adders, PLAs, Boolean Algebra, Truth Tables, et
- Addressing Modes (Direct, indirect, Register Direct, Register Indirect, Immediate, etc)
- Instructions (data movement, program control, logic and arithmetic operations, etc)
- Assembly language programming (debug program, LC-3, etc), CPU Registers, Assembler Structure, Opcodes, and Operands,
Compulsory reading materials
- William Stallings Computer Organization and Architecture: Designing for Performance by William, Prentice Hall, 7th edition, Estimated Publication (2005), ISBN 0131856448
- William Stallings Computer Organization and Architecture (Hardcover), Prentice Hall; 6th edition (2002) ISBN: 0130351199
Optional reading materials
- John D. Carpinelli Computer Systems Organization and Architecture, Addison-Wesley, Hardcover, Published, (2000), ISBN 0201612534