Computer Architecture and Organization

This course provides a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles and practical aspects of computer architecture and organization. It explores how computer systems are structured and how they execute instructions at various levels of abstraction—from digital logic up to the instruction set architecture (ISA). The course focuses on the design and functionality of the hardware components that form the basis of modern computing systems.

Topics include number systems and data representation, instruction set design, CPU organization, memory hierarchy (cache, RAM, virtual memory), input/output systems, control unit design, pipelining, parallelism, and an introduction to advanced architectures like RISC, CISC, superscalar, and multicore systems.

Students will also study how these architectural decisions impact performance, energy efficiency, and the interaction between hardware and software.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Explain the architecture and organization of modern computer systems.

• Describe the operation of CPUs, memory systems, and I/O devices.

• Analyze instruction sets and design simple assembly programs.

• Understand pipelining, hazards, and performance optimization techniques.

• Design and simulate basic digital systems using hardware description tools.

• Evaluate the trade-offs between different architectural choices.

• Understand the impact of emerging trends like multicore processors and parallel architectures.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of digital logic design and programming in a high-level language.

Key Topics Covered:

• Number systems, binary arithmetic, and data representation

• Instruction set architecture (ISA)

• CPU architecture and datapath design

• Memory systems: cache, main memory, and virtual memory

• Input/Output organization and data transfer mechanisms

• Pipelining: stages, hazards, and solutions

• RISC vs. CISC architectures

• Introduction to multicore and parallel processing