Computer Architecture - Fall 2023

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Overview

Welcome to Computer Architecture! This course builds a solid understanding of how CPUs are designed and why microarchitectural choices matter.

You’ll explore pipeline principles & hazards, memory hierarchies, caches, and virtual memory.

Instructor: Prof. Lizhong Chen (chenliz@oregonstate.edu)

Meeting Time: Tue/Thu 12:00–1:50 PM · WLKN 110

Dates: 09/27/2023–12/15/2023

Prerequisite: ECE 375 (Computer Organization & Assembly)

Objectives:

• Gain a broad, practical vision of the computer architecture field
• Understand how a CPU works from single-cycle to pipelined execution
• Prepare for advanced courses, research, and industry roles

Schedule (Summary)

Cadence: In-person unless marked otherwise. See Canvas for files and updates.

• Week 0 - In-person: Introduction, Motivation
• Week 1 - In-person: Background catch-up (1.6, 2.5–2.7) Reading: Details in Reading Materials & Instructions (no lecture)
• Week 2 - In-person: Single-cycle processor (4.1–4.3) Recording: Single-cycle (4.4); HW #1 assigned
• Week 3 - In-person: Pipeline principles, hazards, exceptions (4.5–4.9) In-person: Pipeline cont.; HW #1 due; HW #2 assigned
• Week 4 - Recording: Pipeline, parallelism Canvas Module: Review; HW #2 due
• Week 5 - In-person: Midterm #1 (in class) In-person: Midterm analysis
• Week 6 - In-person: Memory hierarchy (5.1–5.3) Recording: Cache basics (5.1–5.3) (Veterans Day afterwards); Project assigned
• Week 7 - In-person: Cache in-depth (5.4); HW #3 assigned Flexible: Project group discussion
• Week 8 - Recording: Virtual memory (5.7–5.8); HW #3 due; HW #4 assigned / Thanksgiving Holiday */
• Week 9 - Canvas Module: Review; HW #4 due In-person: Midterm #2 (in class); Extra Credits assigned
• Week 10 - Canvas Module: Special topics; Extra Credits due 12/7; Project due 12/10

Midterms:

• Midterm #1: Tue Oct 31 (in class)
• Midterm #2: Thu Nov 30 (in class)

Materials

• Required textbook: David Patterson & John Hennessy, Computer Organization and Design, 5th Ed., Morgan Kaufmann (2013), ISBN 9780124077263 (e-book OK).
• Slides (indicative list): 1 - Introduction · 2 - Background · 3 - Single-cycle processor · 4 - Pipeline I · 5 - Pipeline II · 6 - Memory Hierarchy Intro · 7 - Cache I · 8 - Cache II · 9 - Virtual Memory · 10 - Special Topics I/II/III (Advanced, Many-core/HPC, GPU Intro) · 11 - Concluding Remarks

Staff & Hours

• Instructor: Prof. Lizhong Chen - Office hours Fri 12:30–2:00 PM (Zoom) Zoom: meeting link
• TAs:
  • Anthony Kung - Mon 2:00–3:30 PM @ KEC Atrium (or Zoom), Wed 4:00–5:30 PM @ KEC Atrium (or Zoom) - kungc@oregonstate.edu
  • Kazi Ahmed Asif Fuad - Tue 10:30 AM–12:00 PM & Thu 10:30 AM–12:00 PM @ KEC Atrium - fuadk@oregonstate.edu
  • Gabriel Kulp - Wed 10:30 AM–12:00 PM (Zoom only: link) - kulpga@oregonstate.edu

Grading & Policies

• Weights: Homework 20%, Midterm #1 30%, Midterm #2 30%, Project 10%, Class participation 10%.
• Late policy: 20% per day (homework & project).
• Discussion: Allowed on Canvas only (strategies/clarifications; no answers).
• Academic Integrity: OSU Code of Student Conduct (zero tolerance for dishonesty).
• DAS: Accommodations via Disability Access Services (DAS).
• Student Rights: asosu.oregonstate.edu/advocacy/rights
• Academic Calendar: registrar.oregonstate.edu/osu-academic-calendar

Notes & expectations (selected):

• “Ask explicit questions, get detailed, explicit answers. Ask vague questions, get vague answers.”
• Extra credit may occur during lectures without prior announcement.
• No private tutorial for skipped lectures; absentees must obtain missed notes/materials.
• Before asking questions: check the book, search online, ask peers, then ask staff.