Course content

Advanced topics in hardware design. Design issues including datapath, control and pipelining as well as implementation issues including assembly programming, high-level programming, hardware description languages, specification, partitioning, testing and verification. Embedded Systems, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and advanced Microprocessor instruction sets.

Learning outcome

The course aims at teaching knowledge and skills in hardware design.

Learning methods and activities

Auditorium lectures, self-study. Compulsory assignments and evaluations. All teaching will be in English. Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The portfolio includes a written exam (50%) and exercises (50%). The results for the parts are given in %-scores, while the entire portfolio is assigned a letter grade. The written examination is only given in English. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may change from written to oral.

Recommended previous knowledge

TDT4160 Computer Fundamentals, or equivalent.

Course materials

David A. Patterson, John L. Hennessy: "Computer Organization and Design - the hardware/software interface". Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. Other relevant text will be announced at the start of the semester.

All teaching materials will be in English.

Credit reductions