CMSC 132 - Computer Architecture
Course Description
Advanced topics in computer systems organization from a designer’s point of
view; multiprocessing, pipelining, array processors, associative processors;
microprogramming, techniques for increasing primary memory bandwidths;
modularization, interleaving, access path widening, cache and associative
memories; virtual memory; bus structures; multiprogramming and time-sharing
organizations; network principles and protocols, distributed resources.
Course Learning Outcomes
After completion of the course, the student should be able to:
- Understand and apply the structure, organization, operation and interconnection of computer
systems, the fundamentals of programming in solving real-world problems;
- Understand and evaluate processor characteristic, functions, structure, organization, and pipelining;
- Evaluate different types of computer memory and optimize software given this knowledge; and
- Design and construct microprocessor-based and communications systems, including parallel and
distributed platforms.
Course Outline
UNIT 1. Computer Architecture Concepts
- Introduction
- Trends in Technology
- Computer Performance
UNIT 2. Processor Design
- Instruction Set Architecture
- Processor Characteristics and Functions
- Processor Structure and Organization
- Processor Pipelining
UNIT 3. Memory
- The Memory Hierarchy
- Main Memory
- Cache Memory
- Virtual Memory
UNIT 4. Input and Output System
UNIT 5. Multiprocessors