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Computer Architecture
The chapter covers key foundational aspects of parallel processing, highlighting its necessity due to limitations in single-processor performance and exploring the architectures that facilitate parallel computation. It delves into the intricacies of pipelining, outlining its operational mechanisms and the associated challenges such as hazards, while providing an overview of different parallel architectures classified through Flynn's Taxonomy. The critical role of interconnection networks in achieving effective parallelism is also discussed, emphasizing their impact on performance and scalability.
Course Chapters
Introduction to Computer Systems and Performance
The chapter provides an overview of computer systems, focusing on their basic structure, including hardware, software, and firmware, as well as the evolution of computer architecture through its generations. It discusses key components like the CPU, memory, and I/O devices, as well as software layers and interactions with hardware. Performance measurement metrics are also introduced, highlighting factors affecting performance and the importance of benchmarking for system evaluation.
Machine Instructions and Assembly Language Programming
This module explores the fundamentals of machine instructions and assembly language programming, emphasizing how programs are executed by processors. Key concepts include instruction formats, types of instructions, and the cyclical instruction execution process carried out by the CPU. Additionally, it covers assembly language programming, emphasizing the role of assembler directives, the assembly process, and the use of macros for code abstraction.
Processor Organization and Data Representation
The chapter delves into the intricate architecture of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), emphasizing its components such as the Control Unit, Arithmetic Logic Unit, and registers. It explains how information is represented in binary form, different number formats for integers, and the significance of encoding schemes in digital computing. Additionally, key aspects of processor organization and data transfer are discussed to lay the foundation for understanding advanced computation and data processing.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) Design
The chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the design and function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), which is crucial for the computations in a CPU. It details key operations of the ALU including basic arithmetic and logical operations, intricacies of integer multiplication and division, and floating-point number representation. Additionally, the chapter analyzes the IEEE 754 standard, emphasizing its impact on numerical accuracy and the design of arithmetic circuits.
Control Unit Design
The chapter provides an in-depth understanding of the Control Unit (CU), detailing its role in orchestrating CPU operations. It explores the methodologies of hardwired and microprogrammed control, highlighting their respective mechanisms and advantages. Additionally, it describes the processes involved in executing machine instructions, including fetching, decoding, operand fetching, and executing operations.
Memory System Organization
The chapter delves into the organization and operational principles of computer memory systems, emphasizing the memory hierarchy made up of registers, cache, main memory, and secondary storage. It discusses trade-offs in memory design concerning speed, size, cost, and volatility, as well as advanced memory management techniques including cache memory and virtual memory. The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the roles each memory type plays in optimizing performance and addressing the speed disparity between the CPU and main memory.
Input/Output (I/O) Organization
The module explores the organization of input/output systems in computer architecture, detailing the intricate mechanisms through which computers communicate with external devices. It covers fundamental concepts like I/O control mechanisms, including polling, interrupt-driven I/O, and Direct Memory Access (DMA), alongside their hardware interactions and standardized I/O interfaces to facilitate effective data transfer and communication. Additionally, the information provided aims to give readers a thorough understanding of the I/O subsystem's architecture and functionalities.
Introduction to Parallel Processing
The chapter covers key foundational aspects of parallel processing, highlighting its necessity due to limitations in single-processor performance and exploring the architectures that facilitate parallel computation. It delves into the intricacies of pipelining, outlining its operational mechanisms and the associated challenges such as hazards, while providing an overview of different parallel architectures classified through Flynn's Taxonomy. The critical role of interconnection networks in achieving effective parallelism is also discussed, emphasizing their impact on performance and scalability.