To successfully follow this course, you need to know the basic operation of a computer. It is also advisable understanding the operation and the problems of pipelining, and be able to write asembler programs. In particular, we assume that you are familiarized with the DLX/MIPS architecture.
If you do not control these concepts and skills, you will need an extra effort to follow the course. You should revise the contents of both the 'Computer Structure' and the 'Computer Organization' courses. The book from Patterson & Hennessy (included in the bibliography) is also a good source to achieve these previous knowledges.
This course takes part of the 'Computing Engineering' subject of the degree programme. The course revises the architectural concepts present in most of the modern computers, from a laptop to a big internet server, and underlies the next courses: 'Advanced Computers', 'Operating Systems II', 'Design of Microprocessor-based Systems', and 'Computing Systems Integration'.
In regards to your profession, the knowledges acquired in the course will ease the task of selecting the most suitable computer system for a client. Also, you will acquire basic knowledge for working in the computer design industry.
Course competences | |
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Code | Description |
CO1 | Ability to design, develop, select, and assess, applications and digital systems, guaranteeing their reliability, security, and quality, according to ethical principles and the current and common laws. |
CO8 | Ability to analyse, design, build and maintain applications in a strong, safe, and efficient manner by selecting the most appropriate paradigms and programming languages. |
CO9 | Ability to know, understand, and assess the structure and architecture of computers, and their basic components. |
INS1 | Analysis, synthesis, and assessment skills. |
PER2 | Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams. |
PER4 | Interpersonal relationship skills. |
Course learning outcomes | |
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Description | |
Understanding of the principles of computer architecture. | |
Knowledge of assessment techniques for computer performance. | |
Identification of main types of architectures. | |
Knowledge of the structure of a CPU, identification of its functioning units, and explanation of their role in the execution of instructions. | |
Knowledge and identification of paralelisms at instruction level trhoughout segmentation and problems linked to it. | |
Additional outcomes | |
Description | |
Providing additional sources of information for a particular topic. This learning outcome is related to the INS3 degree competence. | |
Summarizing the information obtained from the Internet and from the bibliographic sources. | |
Identifying the architecture most appropriate for a specific computing application. | |
Identifying different types of current parallel computers that exploit parallelism beyond ILP (instruction-level parallelism). |
The final structure of these units could undergo slight modifications.
Theoretical contents are complemented by several problem lists and the following lab assignments:
Lab 1. Performance evaluation
Lab 2. Pipeline hazards
Lab 3. Static code scheduling
Lab 4. Dynamic code scheduling
Lab 5. Dynamic scheduling with speculation and superscalars
Lab 6. Superscalars and VLIW processors
Training Activity | Methodology | Related Competences (only degrees before RD 822/2021) | ECTS | Hours | As | Com | R | Description * |
Class Attendance (theory) [ON-SITE] | Lectures | CO1 CO8 CO9 | 1.38 | 34.5 | Y | N | N | |
Class Attendance (theory) [ON-SITE] | Problem solving and exercises | CO1 CO8 CO9 PER4 | 0.42 | 10.5 | Y | N | N | Classroom participation, through problem solving, quizzes, etc. |
Laboratory practice or sessions [ON-SITE] | Work with simulators | CO1 CO8 CO9 PER4 | 0.36 | 9 | Y | N | N | Group work with simulators |
Group tutoring sessions [ON-SITE] | Guided or supervised work | CO1 CO8 CO9 INS1 PER2 PER4 | 0.06 | 1.5 | Y | N | N | Supervision / monitoring of final course projects in the classroom |
Project or Topic Presentations [ON-SITE] | Assessment tests | CO1 CO8 CO9 INS1 PER2 PER4 | 0.12 | 3 | Y | N | N | Final course project presentations in the classroom |
Final test [ON-SITE] | CO1 CO8 CO9 | 0.06 | 1.5 | Y | Y | Y | Written exam, composed of multiple choice questions and several problems | |
Study and Exam Preparation [OFF-SITE] | Self-study | CO1 CO8 CO9 | 1.76 | 44 | Y | N | N | |
Writing of reports or projects [OFF-SITE] | Cooperative / Collaborative Learning | CO1 CO8 CO9 INS1 PER2 PER4 | 0.64 | 16 | Y | N | N | Final course project preparation |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [OFF-SITE] | Cooperative / Collaborative Learning | CO1 CO8 CO9 PER4 | 0.88 | 22 | Y | N | N | Completion of the tasks indicated in the lab assignments and preparation of the lab quizzes (which will be carried out individually at the lab) |
On-line Activities [OFF-SITE] | Assessment tests | CO1 CO8 CO9 | 0.32 | 8 | Y | N | N | Individual (and out of the classroom) resolution of online quizzes, at the end of each unit |
Total: | 6 | 150 | ||||||
Total credits of in-class work: 2.4 | Total class time hours: 60 | |||||||
Total credits of out of class work: 3.6 | Total hours of out of class work: 90 |
As: Assessable training activity Com: Training activity of compulsory overcoming R: Rescheduling training activity
Grading System | |||
Evaluation System | Face-to-Face | Self-Study Student | Description |
Laboratory sessions | 20.00% | 0.00% | The work in the laboratory will be assessed by means of several quizzes in Campus Virtual, which will be carried out individually at the lab, and after the completion of each lab assignment. Corresponds to the "LAB" category of the degree memory. |
Progress Tests | 10.00% | 0.00% | Quizzes in Campus Virtual at the end of each unit, which will be carried out individually and out of the classroom. Corresponds to the "ESC" category of the degree memory. |
Assessment of active participation | 10.00% | 0.00% | Classroom activities (either collaborative or individual). Corresponds to the "PRES" category of the degree memory. |
Final test | 40.00% | 0.00% | There will be a single final exam (written and individual), on the date of the ordinary call and on the date of the extraordinary call. To overcome it, a minimum grade will be required. Corresponds to the "ESC" category of the degree memory. |
Theoretical papers assessment | 20.00% | 0.00% | Elaboration (10%) and oral presentation (10%) of a group project related to Unit 7. Corresponds to the categories "INF" (10%) and "PRES" (10%) of the degree memory. |
Total: | 100.00% | 0.00% |
Not related to the syllabus/contents | |
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Hours | hours |
Final test [PRESENCIAL][] | 1.5 |
Unit 1 (de 8): Introduction | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 3 |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Problem solving and exercises] | 1.5 |
Laboratory practice or sessions [PRESENCIAL][Work with simulators] | 1.5 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 5 |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Cooperative / Collaborative Learning] | 3 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 3-4 |
Unit 2 (de 8): Instruction-Level Parallelism | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 3 |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Problem solving and exercises] | 1.5 |
Laboratory practice or sessions [PRESENCIAL][Work with simulators] | 1.5 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 5 |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Cooperative / Collaborative Learning] | 3 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 4-6 |
Unit 3 (de 8): Code Scheduling | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 7.5 |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Problem solving and exercises] | 3 |
Laboratory practice or sessions [PRESENCIAL][Work with simulators] | 3 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 6 |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Cooperative / Collaborative Learning] | 8 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 5-8 |
Unit 4 (de 8): Branch Handling | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 4.5 |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Problem solving and exercises] | 1.5 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 6 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 8-9 |
Unit 5 (de 8): Speculation | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 3 |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Problem solving and exercises] | 1.5 |
Laboratory practice or sessions [PRESENCIAL][Work with simulators] | 1.5 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 6 |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Cooperative / Collaborative Learning] | 4 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 10-11 |
Unit 6 (de 8): Multiple-issue Processors | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 4.5 |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Problem solving and exercises] | 1.5 |
Laboratory practice or sessions [PRESENCIAL][Work with simulators] | 1.5 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 6 |
Practicum and practical activities report writing or preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Cooperative / Collaborative Learning] | 4 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 11-13 |
Unit 7 (de 8): Current Processors | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 4.5 |
Group tutoring sessions [PRESENCIAL][Guided or supervised work] | 1.5 |
Project or Topic Presentations [PRESENCIAL][Assessment tests] | 3 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 5 |
Writing of reports or projects [AUTÓNOMA][Cooperative / Collaborative Learning] | 16 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 12-15 |
Unit 8 (de 8): Introduction to Parallel Computers | |
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Activities | Hours |
Class Attendance (theory) [PRESENCIAL][Lectures] | 4.5 |
Study and Exam Preparation [AUTÓNOMA][Self-study] | 5 |
On-line Activities [AUTÓNOMA][Assessment tests] | 1 |
Teaching period: Weeks 14-15 |
Global activity | |
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Activities | hours |
General comments about the planning: | This course schedule is APPROXIMATE. It could vary throughout the academic year due to teaching needs, bank holidays, etc. A weekly schedule will be properly detailed and updated on the online platform (Campus Virtual). Course activities will begin during the third week of the semester (starting at September 23). As a general rule, the course is taught in three weekly sessions of 1.5 hours each. Although the course is taught in the morning, some assessment or recovery activities could be scheduled exceptionally during the evening (from 16h to 20:30h). Note that all the lectures, practice sessions, exams and related activities performed in the bilingual groups will be entirely taught in English. |