No: CSE 470 / EE 470
Title: Computer Architecture II
Credits: 4
Course Catalog Entry:
CSE 470 / EE 470 Computer Architecture II (4)
Advanced computer architecture. Performance evaluation and energy efficiency. Instruction set architectures. Instruction-level parallelism. Modern microprocessor micro-architecture. Thread-level parallelism. Cache coherency and memory consistency in shared-memory multiprocessors. Memory hierarchy. GPU architecture. Warehouse-scale computing. Trends in computer design. Prerequisite: CSE351; either CSE 469 or EE 469.
Coordinator: Luis Ceze, Professor of Computer Science of Engineering
Goals: To teach the architecture of modern computer systems.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
Understand how a modern microprocessor works.
Understand how multicores work.
Have a general understanding of GPUs.
Have a general understanding of Warehouse-scale computers.
Appreciate the importance of energy efficiency in computing.
Textbooks: Hennessy, Patterson. Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach (5th Edition, Morgan Kaufmann, 2012)
Prerequisites by Topic:
Introduction to Programming - C, C++, or Java (CSE 142, 143)
Hardware/software interface (CSE351)
Basic processor organization (CSE469/EE469).
Topics:
Introduction to architecture and metrics (performance and energy)
The ISA
Pipelining
Branch Prediction
Superscalars/Dynamic Scheduling
Multithreading
Memory Hierarchy (caches, prefetching, virtual memory)
Cache Coherence
Memory Consistency
Overview of GPUs and Warehouse-scale computers
Current trends in computer architectures (e.g., specialization).
Course Structure: The class meets for 160 minutes every week. There will be a midterm and a project, multiple programming/simulation assignments, and bi-weekly short homework or paper review assignments.
Computer Resources: System with Linux installed.
Laboratory Resources: None.
Grading: Class grades will be based upon bi-weekly homeworks, the programming/simulation assignments, midterm, and project.
Outcome Coverage:
(a) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering. The class has an engineering/mathematics and design focus throughout. The homeworks, programming/simulation assignments, and exams test various aspects of the math and engineering knowledge developed by the students. (M)
(b) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data. (M).
(c) An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability. Students must design efficient, effective system components. This includes a focus on multiple performance metrics such as performance and energy. (H)
(d) An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams. (M)
(e) An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems. Homeworks focus on the application of engineering concepts to typical design problems. (M)
(f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities. N/A
(g) An ability to communicate effectively. (M)
(h) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context. N/A
(i) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning. Computer architecture is a rapidly evolving field, and students will be exposed to the changes in architecture design over time. (L)
(j) Knowledge of contemporary issues. The class focuses on contemporary microprocessor design issues, and current architectures. (L)
(k) An ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. Simulators and profilers will be used. (M)
(l) Knowledge of probability and statistics, including applications appropriate to electrical engineering. N/A
(m) Knowledge of differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables and discrete mathematics. N/A
Prepared By: Luis Ceze
Last revised: 4/6/15