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	Prescription:CA300 Computer Architecture and Organisation Aim of Module To provide students with an understanding of how units within a computer work and the different methods of connecting them. Credits 7 Knowledge Assumed From PR230 Programming (Systems) OS210 Operating Systems (Internals) Or DE200 Digital Electronics and DE210 Digital Electronics (Applied) Suggested Time 70 student learning hours Prescription Expiry Date Nov 2002 Level and Assessment Schedule Topics Highest Skill Level Suggested Assessment Percentage 1 Introduction C 10 2 Computer Systems Organisation C 30 3 Micro programming C 30 4 Conventional Machine C 30 100 The Student Will 1  Introduction C Explain the general terms and concepts used in machine architecture and how all computers can be categorised in functional levels. > Interpretation vs translation. > Virtual machine concept. > Multilevel virtual machine: -digital logic -conventional machine -assembly language -micro programming -operating system -problem oriented languages -hardware, software, firmware top 2  Computer Systems Organisation C Explain how the individual units within a computer system work and the different ways they can be connected to form a computer system. > Different ways of specifying instruction operands in terms of number and addressing method. > Single processor organisation: - single and multiple bus structures: method and consequences - instruction execution: I-phase, E-phase - processor types: graphics, RISC technology > Parallel instruction execution: - multiple CPUs - array processors - pipe-lining > Memory organisation: - word lengths, different meanings and sizes - READ and WRITE operations on memory - memory management, segmentation, paging, virtual memory, cache memory, look-aside buffers - their implementations with methods and reasons - describe the emory organisation on a range of computers eg. - on PC, explain usual and maximum memory configurations, expanded and extended memory, EMS, plug-in boards and chips used on them. - input/output - data and address bus sizes - functions necessary for I/O transfer - select or address device - transfer data - synchronise transfer operation - polling and interrupts - interfaces - serial and parallel - DMA and character based devices - data channels: -multiplexer (byte, block) -selector -block multiplexer - describe I/O implementation on a range of computers eg. On PC, explain serial and parallel cards, disk controllers: RLL, Western Digital, SCSI, multiport terminal cards: eg. - Anvil designs for 386, micro channel - video controllers - distributed processing - wide and local area networks as computer system organisation top 3  Micro programming C 3.1 Describe connection of the scratch pad to ALU, shifter, MAR, MDR and the latches that select them - the data path. C 3.2 Micro-instructions: describe function of each line to control above components. C 3.3 Micro-architecture of chosen processor - describe the components, their connection and function. C 3.4 Macro-architecture of chosen processor - describe the instruction set to be micro-coded. C 3.5 Micro-program - describe the micro-code of chosen processor. top 4  Conventional Machine C Describe the design constraints that manufacturers face in the design of an instruction set. > Instruction length - short vs long. > Memory transfer size and rates. > Word length. > Instruction format consideration: - op code length, expanding op codes, instruction formats > Instruction fetch considerations - instruction length field. > Operand specification - register and memory. top		Introduction Regulations Module Prescriptions   Back to list of Prescriptions
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