CSC3040

Computer organisation

4 points
* Two 1-hour lectures per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisite: 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 design and implement a control unit.

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, horizontal, vertical and diagonal microprogramming, nanoprogramming, microprogramming performance issues, caches, cache coherence, cache management, congruent caches, translation look-aside buffers, write through, pipelining, RISC machines, parallel organisation.

Assessment Examination (2 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