Topics covered in Computer system architecture (CSA)

Introduction Boolean algebra and Logic gates, Combinational logic blocks(Adders, Multiplexers, Encoders, de-coder), Sequential logic blocks(Latches, Flip-Flops, Registers, Counters) Store program control concept, Flynn’s classification of computers (SISD, MISD, MIMD); Multilevel viewpoint of a machine: digital logic, micro architecture, ISA, operating systems, high level language; structured organization; CPU, caches, main memory, secondary memory units & I/O; Performance metrics; MIPS, MFLOPS.

Instruction Set Architecture: Instruction set based classification of processors (RISC, CISC, and their comparison); addressing modes: register, immediate, direct, indirect, indexed; Operations in the instruction set; Arithmetic and Logical, Data Transfer, Control Flow; Instruction set formats (fixed, variable, hybrid); Language of the machine: 8086 ; simulation using MSAM.

Basic non pipelined CPU Architecture CPU Architecture types (accumulator, register, stack, memory/ register) detailed data path of a typical register based CPU, Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle (typically 3 to 5 stage); microinstruction sequencing, implementation of control unit, Enhancing performance with pipelining.

Memory Hierarchy The need for a memory hierarchy (Locality of reference principle, Memory hierarchy in practice: Cache, main memory and secondary memory, Memory parameters: access/ cycle time, cost per bit); Main memory (Semiconductor RAM & ROM organization, memory expansion, Static & dynamic memory types); Cache memory (Associative & direct mapped cache organizations.

Introduction to Parallelism and Computer Organization [80x86]: Goals of parallelism (Exploitation of concurrency, throughput enhancement); Amdahl’s law; Instruction level parallelism (pipelining, super scaling –basic features); Processor level parallelism (Multiprocessor systems overview). Instruction codes, computer register, computer instructions, timing and control, instruction cycle, type of instructions, memory reference, register reference. I/O reference, Basics of Logic Design, accumulator logic, Control memory, address sequencing, micro-instruction formats, micro-program sequencer, Stack Organization, Instruction Formats, Types of interrupts; Memory Hierarchy.