EECE 3324

Computer Architecture andOrganization

Lecture 01: Introduction

Yunsi Fei

Chpt. 1.1-1.3 Jan. 7th, 2013

What we are covering today

Introduction and Motivations Overview The course syllabus A quiz (ungraded) so that I can learn what

you have known about computer architecture

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Examples of work EE’s and CE’s do

Source: Philips

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Examples of work EE’s and CE’s do

Design computer hardware and software (computers) Develop microprocessors and memory chips (semiconductors) Design electronics for the space industry, ships, trains, and cars

(transportation and automotive) Develop electronics and power equipment for aircraft and spacecraft

(aerospace) Design life support systems (bioengineering) Develop new amusement park rides (service industry) Expand satellite communications for mobile telephone users

(telecommunications) Teach college or university courses related to ECE (education and

research) Design and improve security systems for the military, airports and

embassies!

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Examples of employers for EE’s & CE’s

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Computer

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Computer Architecture

Instruction set architecture: interface between SW and HW– Set of instructions; available resources, including data types,

registers, addressing modes, and memory organization Computer organization (microarchitecture)

– Represented as diagrams that describe the interconnections of various microarchitectural modules

Implementation

Specification: function, cost, etc.

large blocks

gates + registers

transistor sizes for speed, power

P&R, parasiticsn+n+

SG

D

+

LAYOUT

CIRCUITLOGIC

ARCHITECTURE

SYSTEM

Large blocks

Gates + registers

Transistor sizes for speed, power

P&R, parasitics

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A Perspective of History

1946: ENIAC, the first computer1,80010 ft3, 174 KWatts, 100KHz

1997: ENIAC-on-a-chip40mm2, 0.5 Watt, 20MHz

2011: Intel Core i7 processor under 45nm, 160 mm2, 4 cores, 130W, 3.1 GHz, HD Graphics

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Wave of the future

Multicores are already here– 6-core and 8-core chips are currently available,

with larger numbers on the way– PlayStations, GPUs

Programming a multicore processor requires a different way of thinking

In order to understand why modern chips are multicore, you need to have some historical perspective and start from basics and unicore

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The hierarchical view of computer system– How programs are translated into the machine

language– The hardware/software interface– Sample computer architecture and design

principles– How the hardware executes instructions

Design goals: program performance, and factors that determine the performance

What you will learn

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Levels of Transformation

Problems

Algorithms

Language (Program)

Machine (ISA) Architecture

Microarchitecture

Circuits

Devices

Programmable

Computer Specific

Manufacturer Specific

11Engineers of all sorts depend on levels of abstraction to make problems solvable

Levels of abstraction

12We are going to open the black box of microprocessor and look at what’s inside, why you care, and how you can benefit from knowing more

Syllabus – Instructor and TA

Prof. Yunsi Fei Office: Dana 318 Tel: 617-373-2039 Email: y.fei@neu.edu Office Hours: Tuesday 12-1pm and Thursday

4-5 PM, or by appointment

TA: Alexey Tazin Office hours: TBD

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Syllabus – Things you need

Textbook: "Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface" by Patterson and Hennessy, 4th edition (revised printing)– Also, the CD that comes with it

Access to Blackboard Access to COE Linux/Solaris machines Your own installation of MARS and ModelSim

– http://courses.missouristate.edu/KenVollmar/MARS/– http://model.com/content/modelsim-pe-student-edition-

hdl-simulation

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Syllabus – Assignments and exams

About 8 homework assignments – Due at the beginning of class (10:30 am)– Hardcopy or electronic submission on BB (PDFs

are okay and NO MSWord), sometimes code submission to the COE server as instructed

– Do your own work Class project assigned in the second half of

the semester Two exams: midterm, final

– Open-notes/Open-book15

Grading Policies

Homework: 20% Pop quizzes and class participation: 10% Midterm exam: 20% Class project: 25% Final exam: 25%

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Syllabus – Course Outline

Week 1 (Ch.1) Introduction, computer abstraction Week 2 (Ch.2) Review of MIPS ISA Week 3 (Ch.2 and Appendix B) MIPS assembly,

compiler and system software, Linux/Unix ， etc. Week 4-5 (Appd. C.) Review of digital logic design Week 6 (Ch.3) Computer arithmetic ， Midterm

Exam Week 7-8 (Ch.4) Basic Datapath and Control Week 9: Verilog tutorial Week 10 (Ch.4) Processor pipeline and hazards Week 11-12(Ch. 5) Memory hierarchy Week 13-14 (Ch. 7): Advanced topics (time allows)

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Your first assignment

For this Wed: read Chapter 1– In particular, sections 1.4 and 1.8– (Always read the 'Fallacies and Pitfalls' section)

Make sure you have access to Blackboard and COE Unix/Linux servers

Today's quiz: Getting to know you– No grade will be given– This is a chance for me to see what you already

know so I can tailor the lectures to what you don't

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