Undergraduate - UnitECE4074 - Advanced computer architecture

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit builds upon earlier studies in computer organisation and engineering. The unit will explore the structures, techniques and trade-offs implicit in the study of high performance computer architectures. The focus will be on exploring all aspects of exploitable concurrency in computer systems and the applications they support. This will include considerations of data path design, memory structures, resource allocation and scheduling, threading, branch prediction; alternative application specific computer architectures; implementation using re-configurable devices and high-level languages.

Outcomes

• to design and construct application specific solutions in the field of computer architecture
• to appreciate that the solution to any problem in computer architecture is likely to be quickly invalidated by time and to strive for solutions that minimise the effects of this reality
• to develop confidence in specifying computational requirements and formulating original solutions in a timely manner.

Assessment

Examination: (3 hours) 70%
Continuous assessment: 30%.
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Arthur Lowery

Contact hours

2 hours lectures, 3 hours laboratory and practice classes and 7 hours of private study per week

Prerequisites

ECE3073 or ECE3703 or TRC3300

Prohibitions

ECE4705, ECE5074