Course content

Computer architecture, trends, and quantitative principles. Instruction-level parallelism, out-of-order scheduling, branch prediction, thread-level parallelism, VLIW and examples. Memory hierarchy design. Multiprocessors, thread-level parallelism, synchronization, and multithreading. Graphics processors units (GPUs) and accelerators. Hardware security and side-channel attacks such as Spectre and Meltdown.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: - The student should have a detailed understanding of how high-level building blocks like different varieties of processors, caches, interconnects, etc. should be assembled into a complete computer system. - The student should have a detailed understanding of the construction and mode of operation of modern memory systems. - The student should be familiar with hardware security measures like trusted execution environment. - The student should have a detailed understanding of how multiple processor cores can be assembled into parallel computer architectures. This includes homogeneous and heterogeneous multicore processors and multiprocessors. Skills: - The student should be able to evaluate architectural choices with simulators and draw sensible conclusions based on these studies. - The student should be able to differentiate between general purpose CPUs, general purpose graphic processing units (GPGPUs), and application specific accelerators in terms of their specific advantages and disadvantages. General competence: - The student should be able to leverage his/her knowledge of computer architecture in development projects at all levels of abstraction.

Learning methods and activities

Exercise, mini-project, report writing, peer-evaluation.

Compulsory assignments

• 2 assignments and 2 peer evaluations

Recommended previous knowledge

The student is expected to have document knowledge in the construction and functionality of simple processors by, e.g., taken the course TDT4160 Computers and Digital Design, or equivalent.

Course materials

Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach, by John L. Hennessy, David A. Patterson. Morgan Kaufmann. Eventually additional text announced at the start of the semester. All teaching materials will be in English.

Credit reductions