Course - Computer Design - TDT4255
Computer Design
About
About the course
Course content
Advanced topics in processor microarchitecture. Detailed discussion and implementation of simple pipelined CPUs. Introduction to the design and analysis of Instruction Set Architectures (ISAs). In-depth review of out-of-order execution, branch prediction, speculative execution, and performance modeling. Introduction to memory system design and computer arithmetic.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
- The student should have a thorough understanding of the construction and mode of operation of pipelined processors.
- The student should have a theoretical understanding of advanced performance improvement techniques for scalar processor cores including out-of-order execution, branch prediction, and speculative execution.
- The student should have a basic understanding of analytical performance models for out-of-order processors.
- The student should understand important trade-offs regarding instruction set design.
- The student should have a basic understanding of memory system design.
Skills:
- The student should be able to implement optimised pipelined processors with a hardware description language.
- The student should be able to evaluate computer architecture optimisations with a quantitative approach.
General competence:
- The student should be proficient in computer design and be able to use this knowledge in projects at all levels of abstraction.
Learning methods and activities
Auditorium lectures, self-study. Voluntary warm-up laboratory exercise. Two laboratory exercises that count towards the final grade. In-class problem solving.
All teaching will be in English.
Further on evaluation
Portfolio assessment is the basis for the grade in the course. The portfolio includes a home exam (50%) and exercises (50%). The results for the parts are given in %-scores, while the entire portfolio is assigned a letter grade. All lectures are given in English. The written examination is only given in English.
If there is a re-sit examination the examination form may change from written to oral.
In the case that the student receives an F/Fail as a final grade after both ordinary and re-sit exam, then the student must retake the course in its entirety. Submitted work that counts towards the final grade will also have to be retaken
Recommended previous knowledge
TDT4160 Computers and Digital Design, or equivalent.
Course materials
John L. Hennessy and David A. Patterson: "Computer Architecture - A Quantitative Approach, 6th Edition", Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. Other relevant texts will be announced at the start of the semester.
All teaching materials will be in English.
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| SIF8062 | 7.5 sp |
Other pages about the course
Subject areas
- Informatics
- Technological subjects
Contact information
Course coordinator
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Ordinary examination - Autumn 2020
Arbeider
Hjemmeeksamen (1)
Submission 2020-12-02 Time Release 09:00
Submission 14:00 Duration 1 weeks Exam system Inspera Assessment
- Other comments
- 1) Merk at eksamensform er endret som et smittevernstiltak i den pågående koronasituasjonen. Please note that the exam form has changed as a preventive measure in the ongoing corona situation