Explore computer architecture fundamentals, processor design, memory hierarchy, and performance optimization. This comprehensive course covers the essential principles of how modern computers are designed and function, from basic logic circuits to complex multiprocessor systems.
CPU architecture and instruction execution
Cache hierarchy and virtual memory
Pipelining and optimization techniques
Multiprocessor and multicore architectures
Historical evolution, von Neumann architecture, and performance metrics
Logic gates, Boolean expressions, and combinational circuits
Decoders, multiplexers, flip-flops, and state machines
Binary arithmetic, floating-point representation, and ALU design
RISC vs CISC, addressing modes, and instruction formats
Datapath design, control unit, and single-cycle implementation
Multi-cycle implementation and microprogramming concepts
Pipeline stages, hazards, and forwarding techniques
Superscalar processors, out-of-order execution, and branch prediction
Cache memory principles, direct-mapped, and associative caches
Cache performance, write policies, and multilevel caches
Address translation, TLB, page tables, and memory management
I/O devices, interrupt handling, and DMA operations
Multiprocessor systems, cache coherence, and synchronization
Benchmarking, profiling, and optimization techniques
Modern trends in computer architecture and final project presentations
This course is currently being developed. Hardware simulations, architectural designs, and performance analysis labs will be added progressively.