CSE3304

Computer organisation

6 points - Two 1-hour lectures per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: CSE1303 or CSC1030 or CSE1307 or CSC1072 - Corequisite: CSE2324 or CSE3324 or CSC2010 or CSC2240 or CSC3240

Objectives On completion of the subject students should understand the differences between computer architecture and organisation; know about memory organisation, CPU structure, and processor design; know about parallel processing and RISC architectures; be able to design speed-up techniques for computer arithmetic; and be able to evaluate and predict performance characteristics of various computer organisations.

Synopsis This subject covers how digital subsystems are organised to provide computational engines. Topics include machine arithmetic, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division algorithms, speed-up techniques for arithmetic, microprogramming, microprogramming performance issues, caches, cache coherence, cache management, congruent caches, translation look-aside buffers, pipelining, RISC machines, parallel organisation with special emphasis on balancing computer systems to optimise performance.

Assessment Examination (3 hours): 70% - Assignments: 30%

Recommended texts

Baron, R J and Higbie L Computer architecture Addison-Wesley, 1992
Hayes J P Computer architecture and organization 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill, 1988
Mano M M Computer system architecture 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1993
Stallings W Computer organization and architecture Maxwell Macmillan, 1990
Tanenbaum A S Structured computer organization Prentice-Hall, 1990

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