Lecture (1)
Created @October 16, 2024 6:46 AM
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1. Course Overview
Course Objectives
Introduce fundamental principles of computer organization and
terminology.
Teach quantitative methods for evaluating computer system performance.
Discuss the power wall problem and multicore multiprocessors.
Explain the instruction set architecture and modern processor architecture.
Build an understanding of memory system design, including caches.
Chapter Goals
Lay the foundation for studying computer architecture.
Discuss basic definitions, concepts, and abstractions.
Introduce the stored-program concept.
Explain the major components of hardware and software.
2. Designing Computers for Performance
Early Computer Constraints
1960s-70s: Memory size limited performance.
Techniques to minimize memory usage were crucial.
Modern Techniques
Advances have reduced memory size limitations.
Emphasis on parallel processing and hierarchical memory.
Impact on Software Development
Lecture (1) 1
Knowledge of computer organization is essential for developing compilers,
OSs, and applications.
3. Understanding Program Performance
Performance Factors
Algorithms: Influence the number of operations.
Software Systems: Determine instruction count per operation.
Processor and Memory: Affect execution speed.
I/O Systems: Impact data input/output speed.
Interdependence
Program performance is a combination of algorithm efficiency, software
translation, and hardware capability.
4. Below Your Program
Hierarchical Software Organization
High-level applications are translated into low-level instructions.
Several software layers interpret complex functions into simple
commands.
Role of System Software
Operating Systems (OSs): Manage resources, and provide services.
Compilers: Translate high-level language into machine instructions.
5. From a High-Level Language to Hardware Language
Instruction Representation
Instructions and data consist of binary digits (bits).
Software Translation
Compilers translate high-level languages (e.g., C, Java) to assembly.
Assemblers convert symbolic assembly into binary machine code.
Lecture (1) 2
6. Five Classic Components of a Computer
Components Overview
Memory: Stores instructions and data.
Input/Output: Handles data transfer between memory and external
devices.
Datapath: Performs arithmetic operations. (ALU)
Control: Manages operations according to instructions. (between memory,
ALU and registers)
Processor Composition
Combines Datapath and control.
7. Abstraction in Computer Design
Definition and Importance
Hierarchical structuring to manage system complexity.
Allows designers to focus on high-level functions without low-level details.
Use Cases
Hardware abstraction simplifies software development.
8. Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
Definition
The interface between hardware and low-level software.
Standardization and Compatibility
Ensures binary compatibility across hardware variations.
Examples of Modern ISAs
x86, ARM, MIPS, SPARC.
9. Foundational Concepts and Definitions
Architecture
Lecture (1) 3
Definition: Refers to the aspects of a computer that are visible to the
programmer, such as the instruction set, which defines the available
operations, data types, registers, and memory addressing.
Instruction Set Architecture (ISA):
Acts as an interface between software and hardware, specifying what
instructions a processor can execute.
Examples include x86 (Intel), ARM (mobile devices), and MIPS (embedded
systems).
Programmer-Visible Features:
Includes the instructions, data formats, and how programs interact with
memory.
Compatibility:
Software written for a specific ISA can run on different implementations of
that architecture.
Organization
Definition: Deals with how the architecture is implemented, focusing on the
internal hardware components and how they interact.
Key Elements:
Memory Hierarchy: Levels of memory (cache, RAM, storage) that optimize
speed and cost.
CPU Structure: Internal components like the ALU, control unit, and
registers, and techniques like pipelining for better performance.
Bus System: Connects components (CPU, memory, I/O devices), affecting
data transfer speed.
Design Considerations:
Cost, performance, and power efficiency: Different organizational
choices can optimize these factors.
Example: Two computers with the same ISA but different cache sizes and
clock speeds may perform differently.
Lecture (1) 4
Hardware Implementation
Refers to the actual physical design of the computer's components, including
how circuits and chips are created.
Key Aspects
Logic Design: Creating digital circuits for tasks like arithmetic operations
and data storage.
Integrated Circuits (ICs): Using microchips with transistors to build
processors and memory.
Cooling and Packaging: Ensuring stable operation and heat management.
Power Management: Techniques to reduce energy consumption.
10. The Stored-Program Concept
Overview
Instructions are stored in memory-like data.
Simplifies system design and operation.
Non-Stored Program Example
Early wired calculators required physical reconfiguration.
11. Von Neumann vs. Harvard Architecture
Von Neumann Architecture
Single memory for data and instructions.
Harvard Architecture
Separate memories for data and instructions, increasing efficiency.
12. The Task of a Computer Designer
Design Optimization
Balances performance with cost.
Areas of Focus
Lecture (1) 5
Instruction set design, logic design, implementation details.
13. New Trends and Key Technologies
Performance Enhancements
Parallel processing (e.g., multicore, pipelining).
Memory hierarchies (e.g., caching).
Impact of Software on Hardware
Trends in compilers and operating systems influence hardware design.
14. Moore’s Law
Transistor Count Doubling
Predicted to double every 1.5 years.
Impact on Processor and Memory Technology
Increased density leads to better performance and lower power
consumption.
15. Case Study: AMD Barcelona Microprocessor
Example of Modern Processor Design
Highlights performance improvements through architectural innovation.
16. Fallacies and Pitfalls
Common Misconceptions
Overgeneralizing limited principles can lead to design flaws.
Pitfall Examples
Ignoring ongoing hardware progress when planning new systems.
Lecture (1) 6
