LEARNING OUTCOMES
. Understands the fundamental principles of the binary worlds, data representation and digital electronic circuits.
. Acquire detail knowledge about the design and operation of the basic blocks of computer architecture, namely processor, memories, buses, and external interfaces.
. Consolidate knowledge about the hardware and how it interacts with software.
. Analyzes system performance and technological trends to take the right decisions in their implementation in organizations.
. Explain the implications of the “power wall” and understands the importance of parallelism in modern computing.
. Understands and execute low level programming trough a pedagogic simulator.
STUDY PROGRAMME
1.Introduction
. An historical perspective
. von Neumann architecture
. Basic components of a computer
2.Binary world
. Digital electronic circuits
. Boolean algebra
. Combinatory and sequential circuits
. Representation of data
. Computer arithmetic
3.How computer works
. Processor: data unit and control unit
. Introduction to the assembly language
4. Assembly programing
. The cycle of program development
. Addressing
. Data, declarations and directives
. Instructions
. Routines (structure, call and return mechanisms, piles)
5. System architecture, performance, and reliability
. Memory system organization. Discs, networks and other interfacing peripherals to the computer
. Parallel computing: Flynn taxonomy and Amdahl law
. Evaluation of processor performance
. Reliability and availability; scalability
6.Technological trends in the world of computers
. “Power wall”; Performance improvement of computer components; embedded computing. Sustainability issues
7.Practicing with a educational simulator (PEPE)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
David A. Patterson and John L. Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware and Software Interface, 3rd Edition, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. 2007
J. L. Hennessy and D. A. Patterson, Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, 4th Edition, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. 2006.
José Delgado e Carlos Ribeiro, Arquitetura de Computadores, 5ª Edição, FCA. 2014