Computer Architecture

Presentation

This course covers hardware issues such as processor architecture and computer components.

Programme

IT Engineering

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

1 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULP452-5857

Recommended complementary curricular units

Digital Systems

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

Introduction to the organization and architecture of computers. Main components of a computer. Historic evolution. Models. The complete computer. Interconnection of the components of a computer.

Computational Arithmetic. Booth's algorithm.

Processors. The PEPE-8 processor and its architecture. Unit of data. Control unit. Low level programming. Assembly language.

The PEPE-16 processor. Assembly architecture and programming. Addressing Modes.

The INTEL 8085 Microprocessor. Addressing Modes and Assembly Programming.

Memoirs. Kinds of memories. Hierarchy of memories. Cache memory and virtual memory. Peripherals, Buses and Interrupts.

Objectives

Identify the components of a computer and understand its internal organization.

Understand the operation of processors, memories and peripherals.

Understand that it is the architecture of the computer that determines its functionality and capabilities.

Know how to program in low level language (assembly). Identify the various types of addressing.

Compare processors with different bit numbers.

Understand the factors that influence the performance of computer systems.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

The lectures will be mainly expository. The laboratory classes will be used for simulations and programming in assembly.

Assessment is continuous and consists of three written tests.

Each written test has the same weight in the final evaluation (1/3).

There is a minimum score of 7 points in each of the three components of assessment. Students who wish so, may perform the evaluation by final exam. In this case the exam is worth 100% of the final grade of the course.

References

• Delgado, José; Ribeiro, Carlos, Arquitectura de Computadores, 5º edição (2014). FCA
• Tavares, Adriano; Lima, Carlos; Cabral, Jorge; Mendes, José: Cardoso, Paulo, Programação de Microcontroladores, ETEP, 2012

Office Hours